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Yesterday in Dayton

Reminiscing Days Gone By In Dayton, Graysville and Spring City Tn.

Rhea County, Tennessee's Historical Past

Welcome to Yesterday in Dayton's home on the web. A place to come and reminisce about days gone by in the place we call home. Rhea County rich in history is comprised of three municipalities Dayton, Graysville and Spring City Tennessee.

We have a rich history within out county and this site will touch on past historical events of Rhea County Tennessee and the municipalities that are with the county. We will also share remembrances of those beloved citizens from here that have gone on before us.

I hope you enjoy the site and all its history posted here. If you have photos or information that you'd like to see preserved and shared then please call on me. All photos and documents are always credited to the person/family who provides them.

Latest Posts

Freight Train Derailment Graysville Tennessee September 9, 1949

By Dean | March 27, 2023

One man was killed, and four others were injured, two seriously, about 2:45am on Friday morning September 9, 1949, when the last 13 cars of a 57-car southbound Southern Railway freight train left the tracks and crashed into six section gang sleeping cars parked on a siding a quarter-mile south of Graysville, Tennessee. George Jones,...

Becky Welch Miss Dayton 1965

By Dean | March 20, 2023

Miss Becky Welch, daughter of Mrs. Carol Welch was 16 years old when she was crowned as Miss Dayton 1965 in a contest sponsored by the Dayton Jaycettes. Miss Welch a junior at Rhea Central High School was a cheerleader for three years. She was active in the Pep Club, “R” Club, Bible Club and...

Dayton Opera House Razed

By Dean | March 13, 2023

Progress takes Old Dayton Opera House September 1937 In September 1937, the demands of progress claimed a landmark in downtown Dayton. The old Dayton Opera House, which began its career as a community center for the exhibition of dramatic art, was scheduled to be demolished to make way for the new post office building. The...

Dayton's Famous Hitchhiker Roger Whitfield

November 16, 2019 | In Memory | Comments (1)

In this 1974 photo, Roger can be seen walking along Main Street near the Aqua Hotel sign. (Photo Courtesy Wallace Rice Collection) "Sir, can I have a word with you?" When most folks hear the name, Roger Whitfield, immediately what comes to mind is a hitchhiker along the side or the road in Dayto

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Parham's Drug Store

November 16, 2019 | Dayton | Comments (0)

Parham's Drug Store was located on the west side of Market Street between Hodge's Jewelry Store and 1st Ave. In the photo shown above standing behind the counter are Barton Reed and Jewell Purser. Nick (NQ) Purser Sr. can be seen drinking a Coke. This photo was taken in the early 1920's and is from

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Farmers Milling Company

November 16, 2019 | Dayton | Comments (0)

This view of the Farmers Mill was taken in the late 1960's. (Courtesy Glass Family Collection) The old Farmers Milling Company was on the property now occupied by the Dayton Post Office at the corner of 1st Ave & Railroad Street. In a 1972 newspaper article, a reference to this mill showed that

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Tid Bits From Around Rhea County

Roddy Girl Struck by Car

Roddy Community- Miss Thelma Bare, 15, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wiley Bare, of Roddy, was seriously injured Tuesday afternoon as she was returning from school, when struck by a car driven by James McNew, of Cardif.

The accident occurred at the intersection of the Mountain road with the Airline Highway a short distance from the school house. According to other school children who witnessed the accident, Thelma, in passing around a car parked on the cross road, stepped in front of the approaching machine. She was thrown about one hundred feet.

At the Chamberlain Hospital in Rockwood, where she was taken, it was found she suffered a fractured skull, a broken leg and numbers cuts and bruises. Her condition was pronounced serious.

(Dayton Herald January 31, 1935)

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