Five men wrote names on slips of paper and deposited them into a hat. The name Rome, suggested because the area's topography is reminiscent of the seven hills of ancient Rome, was drawn. A new history book complete with noted landmarks was about to be written in the annals. Just as time began to record white man's history in the area, the history of Cherokee life in their 'Enchanted Land' was coming to a close. However, the legacy of this gentle people is, to this day, written throughout the city and county.
The Chieftains Museum houses artifacts of the period prior to the grievous "Trail of Tears" in 1838. Chieftains, initially the home of Major Ridge, a famous Cherokee leader, safe houses pieces of history found on the property that relay the story of the Coosa River.
As time passed, the citizenry of Rome decided to purchase land for a cemetery. The hill known for its beautiful Crepe Myrtle trees and situated at the junction of the Etowah and Oostanaula Rivers was obtained. The cemetery opened in 1857. The first grave is still visible; however, the inscription has been lost to time. Standing atop Myrtle Hill grounds one in history while gazing out at the extraordinary vistas of present day Rome.
The political issue of the 1870s was whether or not to build a 100-foot water tower. Proponents won out. The tower was built with a cistern that held close to a quarter of a million gallons of water and measured out at 26' diameter and 60' deep. A clock adorns this 100-foot historic water tower and keeps the city moving right along with hourly chimes. Walk inside the brick structure and you'll be rewarded with a unique bit of history in the Clock Tower Museum. A 132-step climb grants you viewing rights to a city snuggled between the low hills of the age-old Appalachians and Blue Ridge Mountains.
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