Address and Phone:
1475 Market St.
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7801
Admission Rates:
free
Hours Open to the Public:
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
Dates Closed:
Weekends, Holidays
Payment Types Accepted:
Free Admission
City: Dayton, TN
Region: East Tennessee
Subregion: Chattanooga & Southeast
The restored Romanesque Revival-Italian villa-style courthouse was built in 1891, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. The Scopes Trial courtroom is on the second floor and contains the original judge's bench, four tables, railing, jury chairs and spectator seats. Open Monday-Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, downtown Dayton.
In the spring of 1925, John Thomas Scopes, 24, was a science teacher at Rhea County High School in Dayton. Among the discussions in the wake of the Tennessee evolution law were those which took place in Dayton at Robinson's Drugstore on Market Street, a favorite gathering place for local citizens. A small group headed by Earle Robinson, "The Hustling Druggist," and George Rappleyea, superintendent of Dayton Coal & Iron Company, "conspired" with young Scopes to violate the Tennessee statute to provide a court testcase. The original context for the plan appears to have been that of a publicity stunt. The interest and resulting worldwide publicity which quickly developed surprised even the event's planners. The original drugstore table at which the decision was made on May 15, 1925, to make a testcase is still on view today in the Scopes Museum in the basement of Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton.
From U.S. 27, turn west on Hwy 30. Courthouse is at Market St./Hwy 30 intersection.
Get turn-by-turn direction using the interactive map above.
Looking for a day of fun and frolic? Here's a quick list of nearby attractions that you may enjoy.
Dayton Tennessee Strawberry Festival
Looking for a place to rest between adventures? Here's a quick list of nearby places to stay.
Date: May 18, 2013
The Floatila
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An Evening with The Black Crowes
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Date: May 24, 2013
Evening Shade Concerts in the Park
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Date: May 26, 2013
3rd Annual Chattanooga Beast Feast® at the Chattanooga Market
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See more May events »