When an illegal biology lesson turned Dayton into 1925 Tennessee’s hottest tourist trap

The 1925 Scopes “Monkey Trial”

The Scopes trial began on July 10, 1925, in Dayton, Tennessee.

John Scopes, a young teacher, was accused of breaking the Butler Act by teaching evolution in school. This law made it illegal for teachers to challenge divine creation or teach that humans came from lower animals.

The case quickly became a battle between science and religion. Clarence Darrow, a famous lawyer, defended Scopes. William Jennings Bryan, who had run for president three times, joined the prosecution. Local business leaders planned the whole case to bring publicity to their town.

First Day Brings National Attention

Nearly 1,000 people squeezed into the Rhea County Courthouse on opening day. Every seat filled while 300 people stood wherever they could find space. Judge John Raulston started with a prayer despite Darrow’s complaints.

WGN Radio spent over $1,000 daily to broadcast the trial live across America, making history as the first live trial broadcast. The court picked twelve men for the jury. Ten were farmers and eleven went to church regularly.

After selecting the jury, the court took a weekend break before the real arguments would begin.

Dayton Transforms Into Spectacle

Dayton changed into a carnival during the trial. Colorful banners hung across Main Street with messages like “God Is Love” and “Read Your Bible.” Street sellers made money from the crowds by selling Bibles, toy monkeys, and books against evolution.

Food stands sold hot dogs and cold drinks to people gathering in the summer heat. Even trained monkeys came to town. Joe Mendi, a famous chimpanzee, wore a suit, hat, and white shoes while performing for crowds on the courthouse lawn.

Media Frenzy Descends on Dayton

Over 200 reporters turned sleepy Dayton into a media center. News agencies sent writers from as far as London and Hong Kong. H.L. Mencken from the Baltimore Sun called it the “Monkey Trial” in his harsh articles.

He made fun of Bryan and the townspeople in his reports. Workers installed telegraph lines, phones, camera stands, and radio equipment throughout the courthouse. Life magazine joined the excitement by putting monkeys reading books on its cover.

Bryan Sunday Sermon During Trial

On Sunday, July 12, Bryan spoke at Dayton Methodist Church between court days. Crowds packed the church to hear him talk. Bryan used his speech to attack evolution as dangerous and against the Bible.

He warned that teaching Darwin’s ideas would harm students’ faith and morals. He called evolution the “theory of hate” compared to Christian love.

Meanwhile, revival preachers set up tents along the main street, holding religious meetings to support Bryan’s side throughout the trial.

Defense Strategy Blocked By Judge

On July 13, Darrow argued passionately that the Butler Act went against the separation of church and state. His team planned to bring scientists to explain why evolution was valid science, not just a theory.

They wanted to challenge the law itself rather than argue about whether Scopes taught evolution. This approach would show that evolution was accepted science, not religious disrespect.

Judge Raulston ruined this plan on July 17 by deciding that no scientific experts could testify. He said their opinions wouldn’t help determine if Scopes broke the law.

Scientific Testimony Read Into Record

After losing their chance to present scientists in person, the defense team found another way. On July 20, lawyer Arthur Garfield Hays read statements from eight scientific experts into the court record.

These statements came from top biologists, geologists, and anthropologists explaining evolution. Though the scientists couldn’t speak directly, their words became part of the official transcript for future appeals.

Newspapers printed these scientific explanations nationwide. The defense also added statements from religious experts arguing that evolution and faith could exist together.

Trial Moves Outdoors

On July 20, the extreme heat and overcrowding forced Judge Raulston to move the trial outside. Court staff set up tables and chairs on the courthouse lawn as the building grew unbearably hot.

The judge worried the floor might collapse under so many people. About 5,000 spectators gathered on the lawn to watch this unusual outdoor court session.

A sign reading “Read Your Bible” hung on the courthouse wall until Darrow demanded its removal. Men took off their jackets while court reporters set up at tables under the trees.

Bryan Takes Stand As Bible Expert

Darrow surprised everyone on July 20 by calling Bryan to testify as a Bible expert. Bryan accepted confidently, expecting to later question Darrow about his non-religious views. This move wasn’t a sudden idea.

The defense team had planned it carefully overnight with help from scientists who created questions to test Bryan’s literal reading of the Bible.

Bryan believed he could defend Christian faith against scientific challenges. Darrow wanted to shift focus from Scopes to the larger fight between traditional religion and modern science.

Famous Bryan-Darrow Confrontation

For two hours on July 20, Bryan and Darrow faced off under the hot sun. Crowds listened as Darrow asked Bryan about biblical stories like Jonah in the whale and Joshua making the sun stand still.

Bryan struggled with questions about Earth’s age and where Cain found his wife. He accused Darrow of attacking the Bible while Darrow criticized “fool ideas that no intelligent Christian believes.”

Unlike later movie versions, the real exchange showed both men making strong points. It was more like a heated debate than a one-sided victory for either man.

Final Day And Verdict

Judge Raulston started July 21 by throwing out Bryan’s testimony from the record. He said it wouldn’t help higher courts reviewing the case. Darrow then asked the jury to find Scopes guilty without further argument.

This clever move blocked Bryan from giving his prepared closing speech while ensuring they could appeal the case. The jury took just nine minutes to find Scopes guilty. Judge Raulston fined him $100.

Afterward, Scopes spoke publicly for the first time, promising to keep fighting the law.

Visiting Rhea County Courthouse

The Rhea County Courthouse is at 1475 Market Street in downtown Dayton, Tennessee. The museum opens Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no admission fee.

In 2025, the courthouse hosts special Scopes Trial Centennial events from March through July. The main celebration runs July 11-19 with a live trial reenactment called “Destiny in Dayton,” a symposium, and a 1920s-themed dinner on the courthouse lawn.

The museum in the basement contains exhibits about the famous trial. Ask staff to take you upstairs to see the restored courtroom where Darrow questioned Bryan.

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