Rome

History

The Abihka tribe of Creek in the area of Rome later became part of the Upper Creek people (who occupied the Northern Creek territory, called themselves the Muscogee). They merged with other Creek tribes to become the Ulibahali, who later migrated westward into Alabama in the general region of Gadsden. By the mid-18th century, the Iroquoian-speaking Cherokee had moved into this area and occupied it. They had moved down from areas of Tennessee, under pressure from settlement by Americans migrating across the Appalachians from eastern territories. A Cherokee village named Etowah (), which means "Head of Coosa", was settled in this area during the late 18th century, in the period of the Cherokee–American wars (1776–94) during and after the American Revolutionary War. Several Cherokee national leaders settled here and developed their own cotton plantations, including chiefs Major Ridge and John Ross. Some of the Cherokee planters and others among the Southeast tribes bought enslaved African Americans to use as laborers on such plantations. In the 20th century, Ridge's home here was preserved as Chieftain's House. It has been adapted by the state for use as the Chieftains Museum. It is used to interpret the history of the Cherokee in this area, especially Major Ridge. In the 18th century, a high demand in Europe for American deerskins had led to a brisk trade between Indian hunters and White traders. A few White traders and some settlers (primarily from the Southern Colonies of Georgia and Carolina) were accepted by the Head of Coosa Cherokee. These were later joined by Christian missionaries, and more settlers. After the American War of Independence, most new settlers came from the area of Georgia east of the Proclamation Line of 1763. In 1793, in response to a Cherokee…

Geography

Rome is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is located at the confluence of the Etowah and the Oostanaula Rivers, which form the Coosa River. This gave the city access to the waterways, the major transportation routes of the era. Because of this water feature, Rome developed as a regional trade center, based originally on King Cotton. As cotton plantations were developed in the area, Rome was an increasingly important market town, shipping the commodity downriver to other markets. It was designated as the county seat of Floyd County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which are land and , or 2.29%, are covered by water. The seven hills that inspired the name of Rome are known as Blossom, Jackson, Lumpkin, Mount Aventine, Myrtle, Old Shorter, and Neely Hills (the latter is also known as Tower or Clock Tower Hill). Some of the hills have been partially graded since Rome was founded. The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen climate classification, Rome has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,666
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  1,604
• Carolina Wren

  Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  1,543
• Eastern Bluebird

  Sialia sialis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,429
• Northern Mockingbird

  Mimus polyglottos (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,360
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  1,352
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,334
• Carolina Chickadee

  Poecile carolinensis (Audubon, 1834) · Aves
  1,263

Largest nearby schools

• Rome High School
  High · Rome · 2,095 students · 15.5:1 ratio
• West End Elementary School
  Elementary · Rome · 983 students · 15.9:1 ratio
• Rome Middle School
  Middle · Rome · 966 students · 12.5:1 ratio
• Model High
  High · Rome · 912 students · 18.6:1 ratio
• Pepperell High School
  High · Lindale · 896 students · 16.3:1 ratio
• Coosa High School
  High · Rome · 846 students · 16.3:1 ratio
• Armuchee High School
  High · Rome · 809 students · 18:1 ratio
• Elm Street Elementary
  Elementary · Rome · 569 students · 12.9:1 ratio

Most recent

• M 2.58 — 2025-02-25
  8 km N of Menlo, Georgia
• M 2.5 — 2023-12-23
  7 km ENE of Stevenson, Alabama
• M 2.94 — 2022-01-21
  16 km NNE of Eton, Georgia
• M 2.52 — 2021-03-14
  5 km NNE of East Brainerd, Tennessee
• M 2.5 — 2020-11-16
  9 km SW of Wildwood Lake, TN
• M 2.51 — 2020-07-06
  5 km S of Tunnel Hill, Georgia