The History of Rhea County

Rhea County is named for the Tennessee politician and Revolutionary War Revolutionary War veteran, John Rhea. A portion of the Trail of Tears ran through the county as part of the United States government’s removal of the Cherokee in the 1830s. 

During the American Civil War, Rhea County was one of the few counties in East Tennessee that was heavily sympathetic to the cause of the Confederate States of America. It was the only East Tennessee County that refused to send a delegate to the East Tennessee Convention of 1861. Rhea raised seven companies for the Confederate Army, compared to just one company for the Union.

Rhea had the only female cavalry company on either side during the Civil War. It was made up of young women in their teens and twenties from Rhea County and was formed in 1862. The girls named their unit the Rhea County Spartans. Until 1863, the Spartans simply visited loved ones in the military and delivered the equivalent of modern-day care packages. After Union troops entered Rhea in 1863, the Spartans may have engaged in some spying for Confederate Forces. The members of the Spartans were arrested in April 1865 under orders of a Rhea County Unionist and were forced to march to the Tennessee River. From there they were transported to Chattanooga aboard the USS Chattanooga. Once in Chattanooga, Union officers realized the women were not a threat and ordered them released and returned to Rhea County. They first were required to take the oath of allegiance to the United States government. The Spartans were not an officially recognized unit of the Confederate Army. The Scopes Trial, which resulted from the teaching of evolution being banned in Tennessee public schools under the Butler Act, took place in Rhea County in 1925.

The Scopes Trial was one of the first to be referred to as the Trial of the century. William Jennings Bryan played a role as prosecutor in the trial, and he died in Dayton shortly after the trial ended. A statue of Bryan was recently erected on the grounds of the Rhea County Courthouse. In 1954 the laws were changed to allow teaching of evolution alongside Bible studies in school. On June 8, 2004, a federal appeals court upheld a ruling banning further Bible instructions as a violation of the First Amendment principle of “Separation of church and state”.

A Land of Ancient Footsteps and Frontier Dreams
Long before it was part of Tennessee, the land that would become Rhea County was home to generations of Indigenous peoples, including the Cherokee, whose trails and towns once traced the riverbanks and ridgelines. The Tennessee River, winding through the heart of the county, served as both a natural boundary and a vital highway for trade and travel. In the late 1700s, frontier settlers arrived, drawn by fertile land, abundant game, and the promise of opportunity. By 1807, Rhea County was officially established, named in honor of Congressman John Rhea, a Revolutionary War veteran and advocate for westward expansion.

River Towns and Railroad Dreams
Throughout the 19th century, Rhea County grew through agriculture, river trade, and the rise of towns like Washington and Dayton. Washington, the original county seat, thrived as a river port until the Civil War and shifting trade routes brought its decline. The county seat moved to Dayton in 1889, just as the arrival of the railroad breathed new life into the area’s economy. Mining, timber, and manufacturing followed, transforming Dayton into a vibrant industrial town while surrounding communities remained rooted in farming and tradition.

The Trial That Echoed Around the World
In 1925, Rhea County captured global attention with the Scopes Trial, a legal battle over the teaching of evolution in public schools. Held in Dayton’s historic courthouse, the trial featured two of America’s greatest orators—William Jennings Bryan for the prosecution and Clarence Darrow for the defense—and ignited a national debate on science, religion, and education. Though the trial was technically about one teacher, it became a symbol of a larger cultural clash between modernity and tradition. Today, the courthouse still stands as a national historic landmark and museum, drawing thousands of visitors each year.

Education and Innovation
Education has played a central role in Rhea County’s identity, especially with the founding of Bryan College in Dayton in 1930. Established as a memorial to William Jennings Bryan following the Scopes Trial, the college has grown into a respected institution of Christian higher learning. Local public schools have also evolved over the decades, adapting to changing times while continuing to serve as vital centers of learning, sports, and community pride.

The Power of the River
The Tennessee River, once a lifeline for trade and travel, took on a new role in the 20th century with the creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The construction of Watts Bar Dam in the 1940s brought electricity, flood control, and economic revitalization to Rhea County during the hardships of the Great Depression and World War II. Decades later, the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant extended that impact into the modern age, making the county a key player in regional power production and technological advancement.

Community, Culture, and Change
From its annual festivals and farmers’ markets to its churches, schools, and civic organizations, Rhea County has long nurtured a strong sense of community. Towns like Spring City, Graysville, and Evensville each carry their own distinct character while contributing to the county’s shared story. Though shaped by change, Rhea County’s cultural roots remain deep—grounded in faith, hard work, and a spirit of perseverance that continues to define its people.

Preserving Heritage, Embracing the Future
Rhea County continues to honor its rich and complex past through museums, historical societies, and preservation efforts. From Civil War sites and Native American heritage to early industry and landmark legal history, the county offers a deep well of stories that shaped both local and national identity. At the same time, Rhea County looks ahead—its economy supported by energy production, small businesses, and outdoor tourism fueled by the beauty of the river and mountains. Here, the past is not forgotten; it’s a foundation for what comes next.

Natural Beauty and Outdoor Life
Beyond its historical and industrial significance, Rhea County is celebrated for its natural beauty. With Chickamauga and Watts Bar Lakes offering boating, fishing, and scenic retreats, and trails winding through the Cumberland Plateau and Pocket Wilderness, the county has become a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether hiking in Piney Falls or birdwatching during the Sandhill Crane migration, visitors and residents alike find renewal in the landscapes that have shaped generations.