We all know our town, Rome, Georgia, is packed with incredible stories, landmarks, and a deep-rooted history that makes us so proud to call this place home. If you’ve ever driven down Fifth Avenue or strolled through downtown near Tribune Street, you’ve undoubtedly marveled at the regal, towering presence of the historic Floyd County Courthouse. For over a century, it stood as a beautiful, lasting symbol woven into the very fabric of our community.
On Monday, March 23, our hearts broke. Watching the devastating fire engulf the courthouse, a majestic Romanesque Revival structure built back in 1892, was a tough moment for all of us.
What Happened That Day
That Monday afternoon, heavy smoke billowed over our beautiful downtown as a fast-moving fire took hold of the beloved building. As locals, it was incredibly hard to watch the flames and see a portion of the iconic bell tower collapse. The building, which many of us visited for the Tax Commissioner or Tag Office, suffered catastrophic damage, leaving essentially only the exterior walls standing.
But in the midst of the tragedy, there is so much to be thankful for. We are incredibly grateful for the Facilities staff who quickly warned everyone to evacuate, and the brave men and women of the Rome-Floyd County Fire Department who rushed into the blaze while everyone else ran out. Because of their swift actions, not a single life was lost, and no one was hurt. That, in itself, is a tremendous blessing.
A Community Coming Together
If there is one thing I know about Rome, Georgia, it’s that we always rally together in times of hardship. The loss of the building is felt by so many across Rome and Floyd County, but the response has been nothing short of inspiring.
Almost immediately, the community stepped up to preserve the history and memory of our beautiful courthouse. A local artist created stunning artwork of the historic building. In a true testament to local generosity, Hi-Tech Signs turned that artwork into window decals, which were donated and made available free to the public. It’s small, powerful gestures like these that remind us of the incredible people who make up our town.
Our local leaders are already hard at work looking toward the future. The Floyd County Board of Commissioners quickly approved emergency funds to temporarily relocate the courthouse operations to the former Law Enforcement Center so that the hardworking county employees could keep serving our community. And importantly, they’ve already brought in experts to safely stabilize the structure. Crews are currently removing loose debris and installing a structural band around the tower to ensure the site is safe. I love that they are making sure all salvageable materials, including those beautiful, historic 134-year-old bricks, are being carefully dismantled for potential reuse. We may have lost the roof and the floors, but the foundation of our history is being preserved.
Moving Forward, With Rome in Mind
While the stabilization process continues and we wait to see what the long-term future holds for the site, one thing is certain: the true heart of Floyd County will never be forgotten. The historic courthouse was more than just dry wood, brick, and terra cotta—it was a gathering place, a backdrop to our local history, and a testament to our heritage.
As we drive through downtown Rome today, the skyline might look a little different. But what remains is a strong, resilient community that honors its heroes, treasures its history, and looks to the future with hope. We will pick up the pieces, we will rebuild in whatever way makes sense for our town, and we will continue to write the incredible story of Rome, Georgia.
Have a special memory of the historic Floyd County Courthouse? I’d love to hear it! Leave a comment below and share what this iconic building meant to you.
A special thanks to Mary Beth Bullard for sharing her images of the fire damage with When In Rome, Ga.
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Read our post on the Historical Tour Of Broad Street for more historical markers in Rome, Georgia. Broad Street is one of the most popular places people go “When In Rome, Georgia.” It has the best collection of food, shopping, and entertainment venues in and around Rome. You may not know how a Broad Street tour reveals our rich local history. If you start at one end of Broad Street and stroll to the other end, you will find some fantastic stories and the history of our town.
