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

Smith’s Crossroads

Photographed by R. E. Smith, November 8, 2007

1. Smith's Crossroads

Inscription. Named for pioneer settler William Smith, a New England teacher and merchant, who settled here in 1820, it was the junction of the Kiuka War Trace (later Black Fox Trail) to the Cumberland and the main north-south Indian trail to the Great Lakes. Here in 1838 the Trail of Tears crossed the Tennessee Valley from Blythes Ferry. Named Sequatchie with the coming of the railroad in the late 1870s, it was soon renamed Dayton. Scottish industialists developed coal and iron resources in the 1880s.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2B 28.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • War, French and Indian. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission, and the Trail of Tears series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 35° 29.233′ N, 85° 1.165′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Tennessee, in Rhea County. It is at the intersection of Market Street (Tennessee Route 27) and W. Delaware Avenue, on the right when

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traveling south on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Old Cornerstone / Smith's Crossroads (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of F.R. Rogers Home (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Broyles-Darwin House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Walter F. Thomison Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); F.E. Robinson's Drug Store, Aqua Hotel, Cumberland Presbyterian Church (approx. half a mile away); Bailey Hardware (approx. half

Photographed by R. E. Smith, November 8, 2007

2. Smith's Crossroads

a mile away); John Morgan Furniture (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Smith’s Crossroads Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 6, 2010

3. Smith’s Crossroads Marker

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 6, 2010

4. Smith’s Crossroads Marker

Looking South on Market Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2007, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 3,186 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 8, 2007, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on May 7, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.