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Rome, Georgia USA: Georgia's City of Seven Hills

Ranked #1,067 in Travel & Places, #44,889 overall

Named by drawing a name out of a hat, this small North Georgia town (Rome, Georgia, USA), has a history much bigger than its size. It's name could have been Pittsburg, Hamburg, Hillsboro, or Warsaw but Colonel Mitchell's name of Rome was pulled out of the hat. How appropriate, because like ancient Rome, it is a city of seven hills.

Indicative of its past importance, the home of Cherokee Indian chief Major Ridge is now preserved as a part of the National Park Service's "Trail of Tears National Historic Trail".

The savageness with which the major part of the "Cherokee Nation" was forcefully marched to a new settlement in "Indian Country" in present day Oklahoma is a black mark on all of our Southern heritage.

Settled at the confluence of the Etowah and Oostanaula Rivers which then became the Coosa River, it had been used as a settlement for local Indians for a long time prior to the White Man's arrival.

In this lens, I am going to hit some of the highlights of Rome's (and Floyd County)history, the local sites of interest, and it's relationship to Rome, Italy (there is one!).

And, the clock tower picture, there's a story on that also. It has become a symbol of Rome, Georgia since 1872.

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Late Breaking News!

For those on FACEBOOK already or who might wish to join, there is a very interesting group entitled: "You know you're from Rome if ...." The comments will bring back a lot of memories for "Romans" and give a little insight into "Romans" for those who aren't from Rome.

There is also another FACEBOOK group of interest to Romans called Georgia's Rome. I also joined this one."

[Here is the Link to "You know you're from Rome if . . . "]

[Here is the Link to Georgia's Rome]

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There Really Are . . .

Seven Hills And Three Rivers In Rome, Georgia!

Here They Are! 

Head Of The Coosa River


On the left is the Oostanaula River and on the right is the Etowah. They come together at this point to form the Coosa River (in the foreground).

It was here in this area that an Indian settlement by the name Head Of The Coosa was located. Check out the lens on it here.

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Broad Street: South From Sixth Avenue

Some Local (Official And Unofficial) Web Sites

These resources provide more detailed information on different aspects of Rome's government, and tourism.
Rome Convention & Tourism Bureau
Go here for Tourism and Convention information.
City of Rome Georgia Government Site
This official site of Rome's Government provides information on governmental structure, links to governmental divisions, etc.
Our Georgia History
This site gives a brief synopsis of Rome's history from 1540 when visited by Spanish Conquistador Hernando DeSoto in 1540 until the 2002 release of "Sweet Home Alabama" which was partially filmed in Rome's Berry College.

The Rome, Italy Connections!

Like Rome, Italy; Rome, Georgia is the city of seven hills. Like the Tiber flowing through Rome, Italy, our Rome has three important rivers intersecting sections of the city.

The connection with Rome, Italy is further emphasized by a replica of the statue of Romulus and Remus nursing from a mother wolf, a symbol of the original Rome. This was a 1929 gift from the Roman Governor, by order of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

The Capitoline Wolf was presented from ancient Rome (Italy) to modern Rome (Georgia) on July 20, 1929 by Dr. Marco Biroli of Soie De Chatillon (a silk mill in Milan, Italy), whose Rome division of his corporation, Celanese Corporation of America sealed the connection between the two cities. Four years later, one of the twins was stolen and neither the thief nor the twin was ever found. Italy however replaced the twin.

During the second World War, the statue, due to threats to destroy it, had to be removed from public view and stored away for safety. It was stored from 1940, when Italy declared war on the Allies, until September 8, 1952. It is back out again, now prominently displayed at the entrance to the Municipal Building of the City of Rome.

The Capitoline Wolf

The Story of Romulus and Remus

Rome Is Noted For Its Exceptional Educational And Medical Facilities

Rome Is A Significant Center of Education In Northwest Georgia

Rome is noted for having several important colleges and technical schools. Four of the higher educational establishments are: Shorter College, Berry College, Coosa Valley Technical college, and Georgia Highlands College, in the order of their founding.

Shorter College: Alfred Shorter, who moved to Rome from Eufaula, Alabama in 1837, built a white mansion in 1847, Thornwood, on what is now Shorter Avenue, and many times I admired it as I walked to school. He was to become significant to education in the area, when as a major financial donor, he participated in the formation of the Cherokee Baptist Female College, now known as Shorter College. Shorter College has usually somewhere around 1,000 students enrolled. Founded 1873.

Berry College: Martha Berry, the second born of eight children to Thomas Berry and Frances Rhea, was to become a dominant force in education in the Rome area during her life. Berry College is recognized as one of the outstanding comprehensive colleges in the South. Founded 1902.

Coosa Valley Technical College:This is a public two year technical school with close to 5,000 students. Coosa Valley Tech also has campuses in Calhoun and Rockmart, Georgia. Founded in 1962.

Georgia Highlands College: Formerly known as Floyd County Community College, and Floyd College, Georgia Highlands College is a two year public college which is part of the University System of Georgia. It has around 4,000 students enrolled. Founded in 1970.

The pre-college public educational programs are divided into two groups of schools: Rome City Schools and Floyd County Schools. For a list of public and private schools in the Rome Area (with links to them), go to the Local Schools Directory site.

Rome Is Also Noted For It's Medical Facilities

There are three major medical facilities in the Rome/Floyd County area.

The first historically was Harbin Clinic. Dr. Robert Maxwell Harbin and his brother, Dr. William Pickens Harbin, founded the Harbin Hospital in 1908. It is now known as Harbin Clinic and has over 25 facilities in the area.

Floyd Medical Center was built by county labor and funded by the citizens of Floyd County. What was then called Floyd Hospital opened its doors on July 4, 1942. It has been expanding significantly through the years and serves Rome, Floyd County, and parts of Alabama.

"Redmond Regional Medical Center is a 230 bed acute care facility, serving as a referral source for all of northwest Georgia and parts of Alabama. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Including its healthcare partners, Redmond has over 245 physicians with more than 30 specialties and a support staff of approximately 1,200 associates."

NOTE: In the memory of older Rome residents a fourth hospital; McCall Hospital, where many of the local births occurred in the forties and fifties, is still vivid. [It was there that several of the author's siblings were born]. It closed its doors in December of 1978 and its 50 beds were moved to Redmond Regional Medical Center.

McCall Hospital was opened in 1927 by Dr. John Turner, Sr. on South Broad Street It remained in operation until after his son's death in 1977. It was converted into a 32 unit apartment complex which as of 2006 was used for low income housing. The Shenango China that McCall Hospital used for its patients is now a collector's item.

Floyd Medical Center Entrance 

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Other Points of Interest

Floyd County Courthouse, Rome, Georgia 

Other Local Area Attractions To Visit

1. The Forum--A Civic Center Complex: "Located in Rome's historic downtown district on the scenic banks of the Oostanaula River, The Forum offers a versatile 34,300 square feet of exhibit space, a 4,000 seat arena, and spacious banquet areas. Break-out rooms of all sizes can comfortably accommodate groups from 5 to 5,000".

2. Myrtle Hill Cemetery: During the Civil War, what is now Myrtle Hill Cemetery was Fort Stovall. From the top of Myrtle Hill, one could see much of Rome. It was afterwards used as a cemetary, and contains the gravesite of many Confederate soldiers as well as President Woodrow Wilson's first wife Ellen Louise Axson.



3. Berry College Campus: "Berry College is an independent, coeducational college with fully accredited arts, sciences and professional programs plus specialized graduate programs in education and business administration. The college is recognized as one of the outstanding comprehensive colleges in the South."Note: I have also done a separate Squidoo lens on Berry College.



4. Cave Spring, Georgia: is located fifteen miles southwest of Rome, on Hwy 411, South.

"Cave Spring's original claim to fame is its namesake mineral spring, flowing from the cave in Rolater Park, its 29 acre site having been given to the citizens of Cave Spring by Dr. Joseph B. Rolater. Little Cedar Creek also flows through the park and town. The park has covered pavilions and picnic tables for rent under beautiful trees, near the flowing waters, perfect for family reunions, with a playground available for the amusement of the children, and of course, wading. Feeding the fish (bream, trout, etc.) and ducks in the large spring fed pond is also a perennial favorite, Food being available at the cave for a very nominal fee. Several citizens have donated beautiful memorial benches for the grounds and comfort of visitors. The Park Board is continuously updating the facilities for the enjoyment of all."



Cave Spring is also the home for the Georgia School For The Deaf. Established in 1846, it is a state-funded residential school operating under the auspices of the Office of Special Services of the Georgia State Department of Education and the Georgia State Board of Education. The campus was used as a field hospital for both Confederate and Union troops during the Civil War. It has now been

Slide Show Of Rome Georgia And Area Attractions

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Early Rome History

From Hernando DeSoto To The Civil War

D.A.R. Plaque On Founding of Floyd County, Georgia 

"Visit By Spanish Explorer Hernando DeSoto Before Pilgrims Arrive"

On May 31, 1540, DeSoto arrives at the headwaters of the Oostanuala River in present Murray County, at a site occupied by Moundbuilders. [These moundbuilders disappeared within twenty years, and over time were replaced, first by the Creek Indians and then by the Cherokee.]

According to Spanish records, on June 4, 1540, Hernando DeSoto, along with 600 men, enters Chiaha (present day Rome, Georgia). [Check out the Annual Chiaha Festival held in Rome each October].

It was to be 300 more years, before we start getting significant activities by the white man in the Rome area. Around 1829, a group of whites illegally settled on Cherokee land along the Georgia-Alabama border just southwest of present-day Rome, Georgia.

In January of 1830,with the permission of the federal government (what else is new?), Cherokee chief Major Ridge and a band of 30 Cherokee evict the whites. This infuriated the Georgia politicians. Within two years after that the Cherokee land in North Georgia was divided by lot and white settlers became commonplace.

A move began to make the area into a formerly legislated City, and on December 20, 1834, Rome was created by the Georgia legislature.

Public Domain Photo of William Sherman: The Most Despised Man In Georgia History 

"Civil War Brings Out Heroes And Destruction"

The Civil War area creates heroes like Nathan Bedford Forrest and villains like Union Generals Jefferson C. Davis and William Tecumseh Sherman.

Forrest saved Rome from Colonel Abel Streight and his "Lightning Mule Brigade" in 1863. He became a hero to Roman history, with a statue erected in his honor, first displayed downtown (I still remember it there), and later moved to Myrtle Hill. Myrtle hill at that time was known as Fort Stovall.

Victory however was short lived. General Sherman ordered Rome attacked and it was captured in May of 1864. [The picture in this section is a picture of Sherman and his men in Rome after that defeat]. The Rome area's extensive fort system proved futile against superior manpower. After the war is over separate camps of blacks and whites spring up all around the outskirts of Rome.

Over the next twenty years, Rome thrives. By that time it is a center for the cotton trade, has an opera house, electric lighting, and by 1885 had electric streetcars.

The flood of 1886 did what even Sherman couldn't do. It put Rome completely out of commission. The streets were so flooded that a steamboat actually travels down Broad Street..

Since that time a levee has been built to hold back flood waters and the dam which created Lake Allatoona in the Cartersville area has lessened the chance of anything like this ever happening again.

Nathan Bedford Forrest: A Hero For His Saving Of Rome, Georgia In 1863 

N.B. Forrest Statue: Myrtle Hill Cemetery

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Rome Time And Temperature!

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Make Sure To SeeThe Clock Tower While In Rome! 

Rome, Georgia Statistics

The population of 30165 is 39,656.

That's #1609 out of all 42,305 zip codes.

77% of the population is white, which is 3 points more than the national average.

The average household income in 30165 is $35,476, which is $5,778 more than the typical average.

This contributes to the average house being worth $86,500. When the survey was done in 2000, that represented a difference of 10% from the typical value.

Men make up 44% of the population, and the typical age in this part of GA is 34.

Stats about: Rome, GA

Population: 39,656
Number of Households: 14,812
Average House Value: $86,500
Average Income per Household: $35,476
Elevation: 605 ft

Population Breakdown:

Population Chart

Discover The Charm Of Rome Through Some Of Its Unique Attractions

The Claremont House


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Oak Hill
Situated on a beautiful 170 acre estate, this classic Old South, Greek Revival mansion was the lifelong home of educator Martha McChesney Berry, the founder of Berry College and one of the most influential people in North Georgia. Formal and sunken gardens, nature trails, and a museum that retells the life story of Berry are also on the estate.
Chieftains Museum, The
An official site on the National Parks Service Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, this museum is the oldest historical landmark building in Rome which was built as a frontier log cabin in 1794. American Indian artifacts, photographs, furniture, and artwork tell the story of Rome as a river town and its role in the Antebellum South and the Civil War.
Eubanks Museum & Gallery
The world travel collection of J. Robert Eubanks is featured at this natural history museum and gallery that features personal artifacts from around the world, including trophy animals from Africa and India, as well as an extensive collection of Early American hardware, Native American pottery, tools, and hunting items.
Rome Area History Museum
Exhibits at this history museum focus on the Civil War, the Cherokee Indians, cotton, and commerce. A Gone With The Wind exhibit is also featured which includes photos, collectibles, and costumes from the book and movie.
Lock & Dam Park
This local favorite 73 acre park is on the National Registry of Historical Landmarks and offers many amenities for visitors to enjoy such as 33 scenic RV ready campsites with picnic shelters, walking trails, an observation tower, a trading post, a bait shop, a large picnic shelter, horseshoe pits, a children's playground, and a volleyball court.

Local Movie Listing For Rome, Georgia

1. The Vow - $41.2M
A husband endeavors to win back his new bride's heart after she loses her memory in a tragic car accident...
2. Safe House - $40.1M
A rookie CIA operative goes on the run with a rogue former intelligence officer after a South Africa...
3. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island - $27.3M
Intrepid young explorer Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) traces a mysterious distress signal to a rem...
4. Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace 3D - $22.4M
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) is a young apprentice Jedi knight under the tutelage of Qui-Gon Jinn...
5. Chronicle - $12.0M
A loner (Dane DeHaan) escapes his abusive home life and discovers a mysterious crater that gives him...

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Sports Teams

"Rome Braves" of Atlanta Braves' Baseball Organization Moved To Rome In 2003

Rome Residents Have Always Been Baseball Fans

For over 50 years, Rome's Little League, Pony League, and other baseball programs have been active in several baseball fields built between the old railroad bed levee and the Coosa River. As a child the author of this lens was playing in these fields.

So, as you can imagine, there was a lot of excitement when Rome had the opportunity to build its own baseball stadium and get a Class-A minor league franchise. It was more exciting because the franchise was a minor league team of the Atlanta Braves.

Other Resource Links

Rome Home Town Headlines
Check out the latest events, happenings, local plans, and general headlines at this site.
Greater Rome Convention & Vistors Bureau
Official site for the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
City of Rome Georgia Government Site
Links and information on Rome on the official Rome Georgia Government site.
RomeGAReview: Online Information and Resources
Online news source emphasizing Rome Georgia

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Every time I do a new lens, I try to add some additional glitz and glamour to it. Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes I don't. I am even going back to add upgraded touches to the previously published lens. In this lens, I introduced a new effect, that of a three-dimensional feel. This is done by using certain combinations of color which give the effect of depth. Let me know if you like this effect. I'd love to hear from you.

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anthropos

Hello, My name is Lamar
(better known as "anthropos" on Squidoo).
I was born in Rome, Georgia but never really thought about its history growing up.<... more »

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