Floyd County leaders have approved a contract to begin stabilizing the Historic Floyd County Courthouse after the March 23 fire, marking a major step toward eventually reopening parts of downtown Rome, including Fifth Avenue.
Officials in Rome say there is still significant uncertainty surrounding the future of the historic Floyd County Courthouse following a massive fire that tore through the landmark.
The Floyd County Historic Courthouse was evacuated Monday afternoon after a fire was discovered inside the building around 2:20 p.m.
According to Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord, all employees inside the courthouse were safely evacuated. Crews with the Rome-Floyd Fire Department responded to the scene and were working to contain the fire.
As of mid-afternoon, roads in the downtown area were blocked and police were evacuating portions of Broad Street.
Officials said the courthouse was undergoing renovations at the time of the fire. The cause of the blaze remains unknown and is under investigation.
One of Netflix’s biggest hits is continuing to draw tourists to Rome, and local leaders are working to turn quick photo stops into longer visits that benefit downtown businesses.
Tourism officials say the “Creel House” from Stranger Things — known locally as the Claremont House on Second Avenue — has become a major attraction. Last year, an estimated 5,000 fans visited the house, and so far this year, about 2,000 visitors have already made the trip.
President Donald Trump made a whirlwind visit to Rome on Thursday, stopping at The Varsity before ending the day with a rally at Coosa Steel where he praised his tariff policies to a loud, energized crowd.
Bull riding is set to take over downtown Rome tonight and tomorrow night as the Cherokee Feed Three Rivers Bull Riding event charges back into The Forum River Center for its 18th year, bringing two nights of high-energy competition and family-friendly entertainment.
Bull riding is set to return to downtown Rome as the Cherokee Feed Three Rivers Bull Riding event charges back into The Forum River Center on January 9 and 10 for its 18th year.











