Rome Clocktower
Clocktower Tours Public tours are offered seasonally by the Rome Area History Center and are held in April, May, June, September, and October. Climb the 107 steps to the top for a breathtaking view of downtown, and visit the bottom of the tower to see restored clockworks and murals that trace Rome’s history from its founding […] The post Rome Clocktower appeared first on Georgia's Rome.
Clocktower Tours
Public tours are offered seasonally by the Rome Area History Center and are held in April, May, June, September, and October.
Climb the 107 steps to the top for a breathtaking view of downtown, and visit the bottom of the tower to see restored clockworks and murals that trace Rome’s history from its founding to the present day.
The Story of Rome’s Iconic Clocktower
Rome’s Clocktower traces its origins to James Noble Sr., who moved his family from Pennsylvania to Georgia’s Rome in the mid-1800s. Along the Etowah River, he established the Noble Foundry, which produced steam engines and iron goods. During the Civil War, the foundry manufactured cannons for the Confederacy, attracting the attention of Union forces. In 1864, Rome was occupied, and under orders from General Sherman, the foundry—and much of downtown—was destroyed.
In the city’s reconstruction efforts, the Noble family led a campaign to improve Rome’s water supply. Despite political challenges, construction of a water tower began in 1871 on Neely Hill. The 250,000-gallon tank—built from iron sheets forged at the Noble Foundry—was enclosed in a red-brick, ten-sided tower with 107 interior steps. By 1872, a clock from the E. Howard Clock Company of Boston and a bronze bell from the Meneely Bell Foundry of New York were installed, completing the 104-foot-tall structure.
Event Venue Booking Information
Booking Contact:
Wendy Reid
706-236-4416
Learn More
Group Tours
Group Tours are available by appointment:
Rome Area History Center
(706) 235-8051
The post Rome Clocktower appeared first on Georgia's Rome.
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