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

Rhea County Courthouse

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, April 8, 2012

1. Rhea County Courthouse

Inscription.
(left brick column near sidewalk)
Rhea County
Courthouse
1891

Site of
Scopes Evolution Trial
1925

National Historic
Landmark
1977
(right brick column near sidewalk)
Scopes Evolution Trial
Considered one of the most significant trials of the 20th century, The Scopes Evolution Trial featured a contest of issues argued by some of the most famous lawyers in America. Creation versus evolution, science versus religion, majority versus minority rights, role of parent and government in education were discussed at length.

(plaque on courthouse porch column)
Scopes Trial Trail
Rhea County Courthouse & Museum
This Romanesque Revival-Italian Villa Style courthouse was built in 1891, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976, and restored at the completion of the Scopes Trial Museum in 1978.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 35° 29.686′ N, 85° 0.749′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Tennessee, in Rhea County. It is on Market Street (Tennessee Route 30) north of 2nd Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1475 Market Street, 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rhea County Veteran's Memorial (here, next to this marker); William Jennings Bryan (within shouting distance of this marker); The Scopes Trial (within shouting distance of this marker); McKenzie Law Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Morgan Furniture (about 400 feet away); W.C. Bailey Boardinghouse (about 600 feet away); Bailey Hardware (about 600 feet away); Site of Rhea County High School (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Additional commentary.
1. National Historic Landmark status
The official National Park Service date for the courthouse's NHL status is 8 Dec 1976.

— Submitted April 9, 2012, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama.

Right brick column near sidewalk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, April 8, 2012

2. Right brick column near sidewalk

Left brick column near sidewalk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, April 8, 2012

3. Left brick column near sidewalk

Plaque on courthouse porch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, April 8, 2012

4. Plaque on courthouse porch

located on the porch column above the entrance to the museum in the basement.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2012, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 841 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on April 9, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 9, 2012, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.