Rome Clock Tower
Why it's listed
Rising from a hilltop in a residential part of Rome, Georgia, this decagonal brick tower was built in 1871 as part of the city's first public waterworks. It stands 63 feet tall and 33 feet across, with a 41-foot wooden clock tower and cupola above. Inside, a steel tank holding 250,000 gallons is encircled by a spiral staircase. John W. Noble designed the system and the Noble Brothers, a local iron-working family, built it. The tower is the earliest surviving water tower in north Georgia. The E. Howard Clock Company clock, installed in 1872, acted as a public time regulator during a period when Rome was adding a library, museum, cotton factory and railroads. The tank is no longer used, but the clock still runs and the grounds serve as a city park. An associated engine house that held the pumps once stood nearby, so archaeological remains may survive.
Significance in brief: The tower is the surviving remnant of the first public water works in north Georgia and the earliest extant water tower in the region. It is significant in urban and social history because of its link to Rome's post-Civil War development. The clock, installed in 1872, served as a time "regulator" during a period of industrial growth. The site may also hold archaeological remains of the original engine house.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80001068, listed February 8, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off GA 101, Rome |
|---|---|
| County | Floyd County |
| Listed | February 8, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001068 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1871 - Present |
| Architect / builder | John W. Noble; Noble Brothers |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The water-storage function is no longer in use, but the clock still operates and the surrounding area is maintained as a city park. Condition is marked good and altered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Between the Rivers Historic District |
| Coordinates | 34.25359, -85.16911 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80001068.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5134792
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.