Winecoff Hotel Fire Memorial: A somber reminder of the deadliest hotel fire in American history
Located on the corner of 6th Ave and Broad Street in Downtown Rome, Georgia you will find markers embedded in the sidewalk that honor the four students from Rome, Georgia who died in the deadliest hotel fire in America’s history. The Winecoff Hotel Fire.
On December 7, 1946, a fire broke out on the 12th floor of the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The fire quickly spread to other floors, and within minutes, the entire hotel was engulfed in flames. 119 people died in the fire, making it the deadliest hotel fire in American history.
Four of the victims were students from Rome, Georgia, who were on a field trip to Atlanta. The students were staying at the Winecoff Hotel, and they were all trapped in their rooms when the fire broke out. The students tried to escape, but they were unable to get out of the hotel. They all died in the fire.
The Winecoff Hotel Fire Memorial was erected in 2006 to honor the four Rome students who died in the fire. The memorial is located on the corner of 6th Ave and Broad Street, and it features two plaques, one with the names of the four students who died and one with a brief description of that horrible event.
The Winecoff Hotel Fire Memorial is a somber reminder of the deadliest hotel fire in American history. It is also a reminder of the importance of fire safety. Because of the Winecoff Hotel Fire, significant improvements in building and fire codes were enacted. These improvements have helped to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
The plaque reads: “Rome Boys High Students Die In Atlanta Hotel Fire THE 15-STORY WINECOFF HOTEL LOCATED ON PEACHTREE STREET BECAME A RAGING INFERNO. ONE HUNDRED NINTEEN DIED MAKING IT THE DEADLIEST HOTEL FIRE IN AMERICAN HISTORY. THIRTY OF THOSE WHO DIED WERE AMONG GEORGIA’S MOST PROMISING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ATTENDING A YMCA YOUTH ASSEMBLY AT THE CAPITOL. FOUR STUDENTS FROM ROME BOYS HIGH DIED. SIX OTHER ROMANS ESCAPED. ALTHOUGH DESIGNED AS FIREPROOF ONLY THE EXTERIOR WALLS REMAINED STANDING. THE WINECOFF TRAGEDY FOREVER CHANGED FIRE SAFETY LAWS, ESCAPE PLANS, AND BUILDING CODES IN AMERICA. THEREBY SAVING THOUSANDS OF FUTURE LIVES AND ENSURING THAT THESE LIVES LOST WERE NOT IN VAIN.”
THE SECOND PLAQUE READS:
ROMANS REMEMBERED:
- DALLAS LAMAR BROWN 1930-1946
- JAMES EARNEST SLATTON 1930-1946
- CHARLES WILKES KEITH 1929-1946
- WILLIAM GEORGE WALDEN 1930-1946
EVEN THOUGH THE PHYSICAL BODY IS NO LONGER WITH US, THE MEMORY OF THEM WILL LONG BE CHERISHED IN OUR HEARTS.
The Impact Of The Winecoff Hotel Fire
The Winecoff Hotel Fire had a profound impact on the city of Atlanta and on the nation as a whole. The fire led to widespread calls for reform of building and fire codes. In the aftermath of the fire, many cities and states enacted new fire safety laws. These laws required hotels and other public buildings to have sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and other safety features.
The Winecoff Hotel Fire also had a significant impact on the fire safety industry. The fire led to the development of new fire safety technologies and procedures. For example, the fire led to the development of improved fire doors and fire-resistant materials.
The Winecoff Hotel Fire Memorial In Atlanta
South of where the Winecoff Hotel once stood is a historical marker. It remembers the victims, survivors, and the fire. The marker reads “Dedicated to the victims, the survivors, and the firemen who fought the Winecoff fire.”
Another memorial is located at the Millenium Gate Museum in Atlantic Station on the lawn in Atlanta, Georgia.
You can see more information about the Atlanta Markers Here.
The Winecoff Hotel Fire Memorial is a reminder of the importance of fire safety. It is also a tribute to the victims of the deadliest hotel fire in American history.
You can read more about the fire and its history here.
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.
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