Information
City: Rome CityCountry: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Rome City, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
Rome, Georgia sits in the state’s northwest, tucked into the soft green foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and hums with history and culture.Founded in 1834 where the Etowah and Oostanaula meet to form the Coosa, Rome took its name from Italy’s capital, inspired by its own seven hills and three winding rivers glinting in the sun.Over the centuries, it’s grown into the region’s go-to place for learning, medical care, hiking under tall pines, and exploring local history.First.Rome, Georgia, carries a long Native American history, closely linked to the Cherokee Nation, whose trails once wound through its wooded hills.Before European-Americans arrived, this land bustled as part of the Cherokee homeland, where riverbanks echoed with voices and trade.Major Ridge, a well-known Cherokee leader, once lived in what’s now Rome, Georgia, and his old brick house still stands, carefully preserved as a museum.After the Treaty of New Echota and the bitter march known as the Trail of Tears, European settlers founded Rome in 1834, staking their claims along the banks of the Etowah River.Perched on the riverbank, it quickly grew into a bustling hub for commerce and transport, with cotton bales stacked high along the docks.The city’s rivers carried goods from the Appalachian foothills all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, drifting past pine forests and muddy banks along the way.During the Civil War, Rome bustled as a key hub for Confederate supplies and manufacturing, its workshops ringing with the clang of metal.Union troops took it in 1864 under General Sherman, as his infamous March to the Sea pushed forward, boots crunching over frost‑hard ground.You can still find several important landmarks from this era, like weathered stone gates standing quietly in the sun.Step two moves us forward.Berry College, founded in 1902 by Martha Berry, sprawls across more than 27,000 acres of forests, open meadows, and rolling mountains, making it one of the largest continuous college campuses in the world.It’s famous for its Gothic-style architecture, especially the Ford Buildings with their pointed arches and stone carvings.The Old Mill is a historic gristmill, water-powered and built by students, its wooden wheel still creaking beside the stream.Martha Berry’s mountain hideaway, the House o’ Dreams, offers sweeping views of the ridges rolling into the horizon.Public trails stretch for miles, ready for hiking or biking-think pine needles crunching underfoot as you go.● Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum Oak Hill is Martha Berry’s Greek Revival home turned museum.Oak Hill, once Martha Berry’s stately Greek Revival home with tall white columns, now houses The Martha Berry Museum.● Chieftains Museum / Major Ridge Home A preserved 18th-century home of Major Ridge, this museum is a key site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail .Step through the estate and you’ll catch a glimpse of early 20th‑century life-wood floors creaking underfoot-while its history shines with the legacy of educational reform in the rural South.● Rome Area History Center Located downtown, this museum presents a comprehensive look at the city’s development, from pre-colonial times through the 20th century.The Chieftains Museum, once Major Ridge’s 18th-century home, preserves its creaking wooden floors and stands as a landmark along the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.It dives into Major Ridge’s life and influence, then pulls back to reveal the wider story of Cherokee displacement-fields left empty, homes abandoned.Tucked into downtown, the Rome Area History Center takes you through the city’s story-from its pre‑colonial roots to the bustling streets of the 20th century, with artifacts you can almost smell the age on.You’ll find exhibits on Native American heritage, Civil War history, the rise of local industry, and Rome’s role in both World War I and II.The 1871 Clock Tower crowns Neely Hill, one of the city’s seven hills, its brick walls glowing warm in the afternoon sun.It started life as a water tower, then someone added a clock that still ticks in the cool morning air.Today, you can explore a small museum tucked inside the tower, then climb 107 steps to the top for sweeping views of the city; nearby, Myrtle Hill Cemetery sits where the rivers meet, with the graves of figures like Ellen Axson Wilson, a First Lady, and Charles Graves, “America’s Known Soldier” from World War I, along winding paths that look out over water and rooftops.● Etowah River Water Trail Popular among kayakers and canoers, the Etowah River Water Trail runs through the city and into Floyd County.The ECO Greenway in Rome winds for 16 miles of smooth pavement, perfect for biking, walking, or jogging, with stretches shaded by tall pines and open views of the river.● Jackson Hill Trails Located near downtown, Jackson Hill was once the site of Fort Norton during the Civil War.It twists beside the river, linking shady parks with the neighborhoods just beyond.It’s welcoming for families, and there’s plenty of room for wheelchairs to move comfortably.Kayakers and canoers flock to the Etowah River Water Trail, which winds through the city and drifts on into Floyd County.You can paddle in calm, glassy water, spot herons along the shore, and easily reach nearby parks.Just a short walk from downtown, Jackson Hill once held Fort Norton, where soldiers stood watch during the Civil War.Today you’ll find hiking trails, bits of weathered historical signage, and the Labyrinth of Rome-a quiet walking path laid out in smooth, sun‑warmed stones.Number four.Arts, Culture, and Events ● DeSoto Theatre - built in 1929, this landmark was among the South’s first designed for “talkies,” where moviegoers once heard voices crackle from the screen.These days, it’s home to community theater shows, film festivals like the Rome International, lively concerts, and hometown gatherings-and every season, the Rome Symphony Orchestra, Georgia’s oldest since 1921, fills the hall with music that lingers like warm brass in the air.All year long, it plays in theaters, parks, and small halls, adding its own spark to the city’s cultural life.Number five.In the heart of downtown Rome, Broad Street buzzes with life-boutique shops line the sidewalks, local cafés spill the scent of fresh coffee into the air, and the public plaza hosts festivals, markets, and live music; favorites include Harvest Moon Café for Southern dishes and tunes, Blossom Hill BBQ & Burgers for relaxed American eats, and Honeymoon Bakery for decadent cakes and wedding confections.Perched high on Lavender Mountain, the Black Bear Treehouse blends rugged charm with cozy luxury, making it perfect for a quiet retreat or a romantic escape where you can watch the sunset through the pines.
Landmarks in rome-city
