Sunday, January 1, 1905
"The people here are very friendly, and it's a very safe place.''
- Cynthia Rodriguez, Dayton Chamber of Commerce
Location: Rhea County
Size: 6.4 square miles
Population (2010 census): City census, 7,191. County population, 31,842.
Year founded: 1820 as Smith's Crossroads. Renamed Dayton in 1877.
Mayor: Bob Vincent
Type of government: City council/manager. The council has four members plus the mayor.
Schools: Dayton City School (grades K-8). Bryan College.
Traditions: Farm vendors around the courthouse square
Attractions: Strawberry Festival 2012. Parade is May 12. Museum of the Scopes Trial at Rhea County Courthouse. Bryan College History Museum. Scopes Festival in July. Pumpkin Fest in October. In December, a nonmotorized Christmas parade
Famous event: 1925 John Scopes trial
Fun fact: The 1925 downtown speed limit was 12 miles per hour.
Famous landmarks: Rhea County Courthouse, Bryan College
Famous resident: Joseph Aloysius Durick, Roman Catholic bishop and civil rights advocate; John Scopes, "Monkey Trial" defendant.