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Volume 1 number 1 |
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Rome Wasn't Built in a Day |
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| Rome, Georgia is a
beautiful town, situated at the convergence of three
rivers and located on seven hills. How did Rome come to
occupy such a lovely location? On a Spring day in 1834
Daniel Mitchell and Zachariah Hargrove, both attorneys,
met at a spring, located near the present day
intersection of East Third Avenue and Broad Street. The
two men were passing through the area to attend the
circuit court at Livingston, then the county seat. As
they looked at the beautiful surroundings, both felt
that the location would be ideal for a town. |
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| While they were
talking, a third man, Philip Hemphill, joined them. He
too felt that the site would be an excellent location
for a town. Hemphill invited them to his home, Alhambra
(now the Headmaster’s home at Darlington), to further
discuss their plans. |
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| The men soon added
two more partners, William Smith and John Lumpkin. They
proceeded to buy up all the available land in the area.
Land lots would be laid out. Plans were laid to move
the county seat from Livingston to Rome. A portion of
the proceeds from the sale of town lots were designated
to build a courthouse, an academy and three churches. |
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| Another matter of
business had to be settled. What would be the name of
the town? Each of the men put forth a name. Smith
preferred the name Hillsboro. Hargrove suggested
Pittsburgh. Hemphill liked the name Hamburg. Lumpkin
submitted Warsaw. Daniel Mitchell believed that Rome
was most suitable because of the seven hills, just as
ancient Rome had. The names were placed in a hat and
Rome was drawn. No better name could have been
selected. |
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| We owe much to the
city founders. Their vision and perseverance laid a
great foundation on which the city has built for over
175 years. |
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| Kenneth Studdard is owner of
Dogwood Books and Antiques |
| 240 Broad Street in historic
downtown Rome |
| (706) 235-2660
dogwoodbooks@comcast.net
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