I was in Adairsville’s Peacock Junction several weeks ago when I came across a pamphlet about Rome’s Clock Tower. If you are new here, that’s Rome, Georgia, not Rome, Italy. The clock tower is one of Rome’s iconic landmarks. I grew up in Rome and I can remember hearing it chime at night. I was on Neely Hill once when it chimed. I thought my heart was going to stop.

I found this plain pamphlet among some beautiful postcards from some of Georgia’s well-known landmarks. I purchased this pamphlet for $3 for three reasons. First, I love to read about anything about Rome’s Clock Tower. Second, this was a reprint of a 1932 radio broadcast. It didn’t say which radio station. I started my career at WROM in college and was news director at WRGA and several other stations many years later. Radio is a big part of my history. On a less personal note, the Clock Tower is currently under renovation as I write this.

I searched for this online and I couldn’t find it, so I don’t know who wrote it. The pamphlet said it was distributed through the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce. I wanted to share the story with you here. Remember, people wrote and spoke differently in 1932. I am not editing the grammar or punctuation. The photos are mine.

The Story of the Old Town Clock (Clock Tower)

The Old Town Clock was built in 1871. So its story must begin the preceding year, when plans for its construction were made. That you may know why, and how it was built, you should have in your mind’s eye a picture of the times in general, as well as of local conditions in Rome.

In Europe the Franco-Prussian war was raging. In the United States only five years had passed since the Surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. In the South, the devastation of war and pilferage by a carpet-bag rule had left our State bare of resources. The files of the old Rome Courier of that year devote much space to the lease of the W.& A. Railroad. It was the era of railroad projecting, several charters being issued at that time for railroads to be built from Rome in various directions,–many of which were never built, tho individuals and towns themselves contributed thousands of dollars for the purpose. The brilliant young journalist, Henry W. Grady, just graduated from college, was editor of the Rome Commercial. Scarcity of funds made interest rates a bit high. The Courier records a resolution passed by the City Council authorizing the Treasurer to borrow $2500 from a local bank, with $5000 of City of Rome bonds as collateral, the interest to be at 1 1/8% per month. A license to run a two-horse dray was $25, the same price as a license to sell lager beer.

This, then, was the situation when Rome was asked to issue $100,000 of bonds.

In the good year 1870, water for domestic use for building purposes, etc. was had from private and public wells. To meet the emergency of a fire in the business district, three or four large cisterns were located on Broad Street, one of them in front of where the Forrest Hotel now stands. These cisterns were kept filled with water pumped from the river, which in turn was pumped from cistern to fire.

Rome, a growing city, was deserving of better things than such water-supply,–at least this was the conclusion of some of its progressive citizens of the day. Among those was a distinguished family, to whom more than any other, is due the credit for constructing, so far as we know, the first waterworks system in this section. More than 20 years before, Mr. James Noble, Sr., and his family had moved to Rome. He was a native of Cornwall, England, and first located at Reading, Pa. He stayed there only two years. when he decided to move south. From information received, he concluded that Augusta, Ga., would be the best place to locate. While on the train coming down he made the acquaintance of Col. Wade S. Cothran, who persuaded him to see Rome before making a final decision. The result was that Mr. Noble and his family of six sons and several daughters located in Rome in the late 1840’s, built an immense foundry and machine works, between the N.C. & St. L R. R, and Etowah River at the end of East 2nd and East 3rd Streets. Here they manufactured steam engines, cannon for the Confederacy, nails and other article of iron and steel. They built and lived in the two brick houses on East First Street between the First Presbyterian and First Baptist churches. Builders they were, of ability and vision.

And so in November 1870 we find one of the sons, Mr. John noble, together with Mr. J.A. Stewart and Mayor C.H. Smith (better known as “Bill Arp”) appointed by the city as a committee to visit Bowling Green, Ky. to inspect a waterworks which had just been completed there. This committee reported favorably to the immediate construction of waterworks in Rome.

And then, as is always the case in such big and progressive movements, the fireworks of opposition began. Chief of those was the cost. A bond issue of $100,000 was proposed. The act of the Legislature authorized the mayor and council to negotiate for the loan of and borrow the sum of not exceeding $100,000 to be used in “bonding their present debt, and in building and establishing water works, and for the further purpose of grading and macadamizing Broad Street, and building bridges over the rivers, or purchasing those already built, and for making other permanent and other improvements.” The bonds were to bear 7% interest and to mature in not less than 5 nor more than 20 years.

The report of the City Clerk for the year 1870 showed receipts of his department $5666, of which $2873, or more than half the total, was from bars and billiard tables. The total city revenue was only $21,219. So, the city’s income considered, a bond issue of $100,000 was as big as a few million would be today, and naturally aroused much opposition, purely for financial reasons.

But there were other reasons. Mrs. McMillan, formerly Miss Tucker Noble, of the distinguished family referred to, who now resides in Anniston, Ala., writes: “There was a good deal of opposition, some believing it impractical, declaring water could not run up hill.” Again, quoting from an article written by a prominent citizen and published in the Courier of October 7th 1870, we find another argument against water works: “But it may be said the city ought to have a good set of waterworks, which would be very remunerative to the city. The God of water has made three very fine rivers nearly all around Rome, and an abundance of fine veins of water, accessible by wells, all over. Let all supply their own water, in such quantities and in such manners as they choose. What! take the people’s money to buy water, and then sell water to the people at a profit?” Still another objector calculated that the water pressure in the lower parts of the city would be 150 pounds to the square inch. That it would come from faucets with such force as to knock the bottom out of a tine cup; and that merchants who attempted to wash their store windows by use of a hose would break the glass and probably injure passersby on the sidewalk.

The act of the Legislature authorizing the bond issue and construction of water works required that a majority of registered voters should vote for it. An election was held, and all 560 registered, only 96 voted favorably, altho this was a majority of those voting.

Nothing daunted, these men of vision soon held another election. Our chronicler does not go into detail as to how the election was carried, but I rather fancy the fact that they seem to have had two days of voting to get out enough favorable votes may have helped some. For we find in the Courier of February 10th, 1871: ” The election of last Monday and Tuesday for waterworks created considerable excitement and resulted in a triumphant success for waterworks. The vote stood 301 for, and 146 against.”

I am sure it will be of interest to those older friends who may be listening in, to recall the personnel of Rome’s City Government for the year 1871, under whose administration the waterworks system was built.

The mayor was Mr. Henry A. Smith, who married a daughter of Mr. James Noble, and for years resided in the house next to the Baptist church. The Aldermen were Messrs. J.H. Underwood, John W. Hooper, H.D. Cothran, A. Griffeth, J.I. Wright and Cain Glover. T.G. Watters was Marshall; R.T. Hargrove, Treasurer; Ed Shropshire, Clerk; T.W. Alexander, Attorney, and T.M. Gates, Weigher.

The most prominent organization in the city was the volunteer fire department, of which James Noble Jr., was Chief, H.A. Hill, First Assistant and H.D. Austin, Second Assistant.

A resolution adopted by the Council instructed the Mayor to appoint a Board of Commissioners of Waterworks, whose duties were to “cause the waterworks contract to be faithfully executed, to define and lay out the pipes, to locate fire plugs, and to provide and define the location of the engine house, well and reservoir.” The Commission so appointed consisted of Alderman John. W. Hooper and Messrs J. A. Stewart and C.H. Smith. Official records of the city for that period are missing, and we can find no record of the contract, but a card appearing in The Courier of January 27th, 1871, Col. Daniel H. Mitchell refers to the contract price as $49,000.

The system included a well and pumping plant which were located on a lot at the corner of Fourth Avenue and the N.C. & St. L. Ry., in the rear of the home now occupied by Mrs. D.W. Curry. The well, blasted thru rock, was some 15 or 20 feet in diameter, and about 50 feet deep. In later years, the vein of water in the well was insufficient, so there was dug a lateral “tunnel” from the bottom of the well out toward the railroad, where another vein of water was brought into the well. My authority for this statement is Mrs. Hallie A. Rounsaville, and she knows, for as a small girl, on an occasion when all of the water was pumped from the well in order to clean it, she climbed fifty feet down the ladder in the well, and out into the tunnel.

The water was excellent as evidenced by a statement made to Mr. Noble by Dr. Robert Battey, the noted surgeon, that “he believed the water, 100% pure, was a large contributor to the success of his many surgical operations.” A Corliss engine operated the pumps. The plant and grounds were beautifully kept, and were visited constantly by the citizenry who took great pride in them. The first engineer in charge was Mr. Walter W. Watters, who until his death only a few years ago, was a loved and respected citizen of Rome.

From the well, a 10-inch pipe was laid up to “The Water Tower,” as it was first called.

The water tank in the tower is of heavy steel, 26 feet in diameter and 60 feet deep, having a capacity of nearly 250,000 gallons. This tank is today kept filled with water for emergency use.

Enclosing the tank is a red brick tower, decagon in shape, with pilasters built between each of its ten sides. Between the brick wall and the tank is a space nearly 3 feet wide, in which is constructed a spiral steel stairway, having 107 steps, which makes one complete circle in its ascent. This stairway, being rivetted to the tank and anchored into the brick, adds greatly to the strength of the structure. The brick work is 63 feet high and 33 feet in diameter, being surmounted by a wooden superstructure which is 41 feet high. The height of the entire tower, from ground to the top of wooden railing, is 104 feet. The wooden superstrutcture is of cypress, and after weathering storm and rain for sixty years, is today in a good state of preservation.

The face of the clock is 9 feet in diameter. The length of the minute hand is 4 feet 3 inches, and of the hour hand, 3 feet 6 inches. The original hands of the clock were made of California red wood, and after 58 years of service, were replaced two years ago by the present ones, of yellow poplar.

The entire waterworks system was designed by Mr. John W. Noble, uncle of Mr. Fred Noble, now a resident of Rome, and was built by the firm of Noble Brothers, being completed in 1891.

The clock, however, was not installed until the following year, under the city administration headed by Mr. H.D. Cothran as Mayor.

This clock was made by the E.Howard Clock Company of Waltham, Mass., and was shipped to Rome on October 7th, 1872, on the order of John. W. Noble. It is known as their No. 2, hour-striking, eight-day clock. Both the time and striking mechanisms are operated by weights, which are “wound-up” by a hand windlass every Sunday morning by Hunter Walker, a negro, whose promptness and faithfulness to his duty should be appreciated by all of us who look to “The Old Town Clock” for the time o’ day.

The manufacturers of the clock state that one of the same type is in operation at Ludlow, Vermont, which was put there in 1858, and is still giving correct time for that section. They also state that they are this month completing a clock of the very same type as ours, except with electric motor winding, for the Courthouse at Anniston, Alabama. Anniston, as you know, was build by the Nobles when they moved away from Rome. So far as is known, there has been no replacement of parts of the clock’s mechanism except for a few bearings, bushings, and pinions.

The bell was made by the Meneely Bell Foundry of West Troy, New York, and moulded into its rim is the date “1872.” It is of genuine bronze, 32 inches high, and measuring 40 inches in diameter at its rim, which is 3 1/2 inches thick.

The clock was installed by a factory representative, who engaged as his helper Mr. J. Sam Veal, then a lad of eleven years. During the installation, a 30-foot flag pole was erected on top of the tower. After it was anchored in place, the contractor discovered he had forgotten to put the cord thru the pully. He offered $5 to any one who would climb the pole and put thru the cord. $5 was nearly as much money then as it is now,–at any rate it was to much for Sam Veal to refuse, so he promptly climbed that flag pole,–and until the advent of airplanes enjoyed the distinction of having risen higher than any other person in Rome.

My good friend, Mrs. Mary Fort Thomas, then a resident of Rome, tells of the celebration of the opening of the waterworks system by the Fireman’s Association, who gave a big ball at the Choice House, on the present site of the Forrest Hotel. Rome society attended en masse, the firemen in full regalia, red shirts and everything.

About 1883 or 1884 an electric fire alarm was installed, using the clock bell for the alarm.

The present waterworks system was built in 1892-93, and the old system abandoned at that time.

On August 5th, 1902, the wooden part of the tower caught fire during an electrical storm. Firemen laboriously lugged the fire hose up the 109 steps, only to find they were practically on a level with the Fort Jackson reservoir, and water would only trickle out of the hose nozzle. But a bucket-brigade promptly formed, and the fire was extinguished with but little damage.

Mrs. Rousnsaville also tells of the moonlight picnic suppers, enjoyed by the bells and beaux of her day, on top of the tower. I have heard, too, that a wedding once took place up there, –tho this even has not been verified.

The clock has always been in charge of a keeper appointed by the city. The first was Mr. J.E. Veal, who was succeeded by Messrs T.S. Wood, M.D. McOsker, Clip Williamson, R.V. Allen, E.R. Fishburn, and the present keeper, Mr. H.A. Gray.

Rome will always owe a lasting debt of gratitude to Mr. John W. Noble for having planned a structure which, for symmetry of design, for beauty of outline, for artistry in its adaptation to surroundings, is not surpassed any where in America or the older countries of Europe.

People on their first visit here are invariably impressed more by “The Old Town Clock” than by any other thing in Rome–and it IS impressive.

Just as a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, I fear that we, who move in the shadow of the Old Clock’s magnificent spire, who work within hearing of its chiming bell, who look day after day upon its beautiful lines,–I fear that we are not fully appreciative of that noble sentinel on the hill top which hour by hour, for sixty years past, has watched over our little city. Our love and admiration for that old land-mark should be next to that we cherish for our own homes.

Dr. Richard Hall, a native of England, now a member of the faculty of Shorter College and well known resident of Rome says:

“Who has not heard of Russell Cornwell’s famous lecture “Acres of Diamonds,” the point of which is that not in distant lands but at our very feet, wealth is to be found! I wonder if that lesson might not be learned to advantage here in Rome? Here is our Clock Tower, beautiful for situation, beautiful in itself, dominating our beautiful little city. Last summer I was in England, in Somerset, a country noted for the number and beauty of its church towers which have been photographed and put on picture cards and sent the world over. If our own Clock Tower were in the old world Somerset village or in some French or Italian City it would become an object of admiration and delight to hosts of American tourists. Why not admire and appreciate the wealth of beauty we have at our own doors?