Dayton in Rhea County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Cedar Hill

Scopes Trial Trail

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2021

1. Cedar Hill Marker

Inscription. This building was erected in 1929 by Dr. Walter Agnew Thomison and local businessmen as Dayton's first hospital. It was leased by Bryan University from 1932-38 and used as a women's dormitory, college dining hall, and kitchen. From 1938-46, it was owned and operated as a tourist home by Scopes Trial juror Jess Goodrich and his wife, Rose In 1967-84 Bryan College owned the building and used it first for married students and then as a women's dormitory.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 35° 29.471′ N, 85° 0.533′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Tennessee, in Rhea County. It is on Cedar Glen Lane north of Chickamauga Drive, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 123 Chickamauga Drive, Dayton TN 37321, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bryan College (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Rhea County High School (approx. ¼ mile away); John Morgan Furniture (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bailey Hardware (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rhea County Veteran's Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rhea County Courthouse

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); The Scopes Trial (approx. 0.3 miles away); McKenzie Law Office (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Regarding Cedar Hill. Thomison was the attending physician at William Jennings Bryan's death. The famed lawyer and politician died five days after helping prosecute John T. Scopes for violating a state law prohibiting the teaching of evolution in public schools. During the trial, Bryan wished for the establishment of a Christian, Bible-centric college in eastern Tennessee. After his death, several trial participants — including the judge — founded such a college and named it in his honor.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2021

2. Cedar Hill Marker

Scopes Trial judge and jury image. Click for full size.

via Tennessee Virtual Archive

3. Scopes Trial judge and jury

Shown are Bluch Harris; Judge John Raulston; W. D. Taylor; Jesse Goodrich; Jack R. Thompson; William G. Day; R. L. Gentry; John Wright; R. D. West; W. D. Smith; James W. Riley; John W. Dagley; and John Bowman.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 702 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 28, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.