Historic 130 Year Old Courthouse Destroyed by Fire March 23, 2026
Floyd County Courthouse, Rome Georgia
- Categories:
- Georgia
- Courthouse
- Alexander Bruce
- Thomas Morgan
This is an excellent example of a design by Bruce and Morgan. The exterior has been altered little and has much of the original terra cotta trim around the arches, stringcourses. The dramatic terra cotta gargoyles are rarely found on buildings of this type.
Inside the massive oak millwork remains in place in place throughout the building. It is especially handsome in the courtroom.
On Monday, March 23rd, 2026 a fire broke out in the building in the early afternoon. Everyone was safely evacuated from the structure, however the building was extensively damaged.
Massive flames destroy historic Georgia courthouse in Rome Monday (March 23, 2026)
Floyd County Courthouse temporarily closes after fire, court dates postponed (Mar 23, 2026)
Floyd Co. leaders address emergency plan after historic courthouse fire (Mar 24, 2026)
Building Description
On the facade are three round arches with the center one framing the entrance. At the springing point of the arches is a terra cotta stringcourse complete with gargoyles and foliate designs. A stone stringcourse is above the arched windows on the first floor and above the windows on the second floor. The square tower rises in 3 stages to the hipped roof and then in 2 additional stages to the open belfry whose round arches echo those on the first story. A pyramidal cap with dormers tops the tower.Round bays are on both sides of the building. Three different sized bricks are used on the exterior. The double entrance doorway has a fan-lighted transom and side lights.
The interior has not been altered a great deal. The massive oak millwork over the first floor office doors contains square glass transoms with fan motifs and a heavy entablature. The offices themselves are constructed of thick walls with plaster ceilings. In the second story office that is part of the bell tower is a circular metal staircase leading up to the tower.
The ceiling of the courtroom is 20' high. The rear of the room has been reduced in size so that storage space and a law library could be added. The jury box is directly in front of the bench, a feature not usually seen in Georgia. The bench is in a recessed area with Ionic columns on each side and is topped with a rounded pediment end scroll finial. A recessed panel dado encircles the room and a heavy, dentiled cornice adds balance and dignity. The railing between the litigation and spectator sections is emphasized by ornate newel posts.
Photographs of Floyd County Courthouse
