Rome PAM Studios makes history at the 2022 Ribbon Cutting event with Floyd County Chamber of Commerce
“It was my pleasure attending the ribbon cutting event. I’m looking forward to the great things ahead for PAM Studios! If I can be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”
-Sundai Stevenson, Mayor, City of Rome
PAM Studios president, Maria Guerra-Stoll, cuts the ribbon with Mayor Sundai Stevenson officially opening Rome PAM Studios.
Maria Guerra-Stoll with Director/Producer Heather Hutton, talk show host and acting coach Kelly Young-Silva and 5 time Emmy Award winner, Diego Silva Acevedo
History of 512 Broad St
Long before 512 Broad Street became Rome PAM Studios, the building was first used as a fire station. Built in 1869 as the 1st station for Rome’s volunteer fire companies of Rainbow Stream fire engine No. 1, and later Citizens Hook and Ladder, the brick building was described as a two story high, 30’ x 50’ brick building with a good slate roof. It contained a fire hose incline behind the building to allow the hoses to dry after each call, and an elegant fireman’s hall that was well furnished throughout. Later two cast bronze fire bells were ordered from the Maneely Bell foundry in New York, one for this station (Rainbow) and another was ordered for City Hall on 4th Ave. between the river and Broad Street where Mountain City #2 was located. After the bells were ordered, a bell tower was added to the top of the building to house the bell. Sometime after the fire department moved into the back of City Hall/Auditorium in 1916, the building was sold and unfortunately was damaged by a fire on the second floor. The front has changed, but the basic outline to the old fire hall still exists today.
The building has housed many different businesses since 1916 including a furniture store, a restaurant and most recently Rome PAM Studios.
Rainbow Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1. Organized April 6, 1868
Citizens Hook & Ladder Co. Organized in 1869
One of the 1st automobile fire trucks in front of 510/512 Broad St.
Broad St. and front of building with Rainbow Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1. and Citizens Hook & Ladder Co. circa 1878
Rome Historical Locations
Labyrinth of Rome
The Labyrinth of Rome was created as an adaptive reuse of what originally built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s as an erosion control pond. Later it was utilized as an amphitheater by folk artists in the 60’s and 70’s as a space for reading poetry and playing music.
Information from romegeorgia.org
Historic Desoto Theatre
In early 1928 O. C. Lam, the owner of Lam Amusement Company, laid plans to construct a new movie theatre in downtown Rome, Georgia.The building’s exterior and Georgian interior stylishly housed a number of recent movie palace innovations. Designed as a “talkie” theatre, it the first venue in the South to be designed and built for sound pictures. Rome’s new house boasted a Vitaphone sound system. And, the theatre was heated and cooled by an innovative blower-fan air conditioning and tubular boiler system. Additionally, the theatre was equipped with state of the art fire safety equipment. Fitted with many exits, the theatre could be emptied in two minutes.
Information from romegeorgia.org
Heritage Riverways Trail Network
Rome’s rivers and surrounding train tracks once served as the main thoroughfare for transportation. Each section of the trail is named for the history of the area. Interpretive signs along the trail identify historic landmarks and share Rome’s history and cultural development.
Information from romegeorgia.org
Love Locks on Robert Redden Footbridge
Originally, this swing Warren through truss bridge was built in 1905 by American Bridge Company so the Central of Georgia Railway could cross the Oostanaula River in Rome, GA. After the train line was abandoned, it became a rails-to-trails project and is now part of the Heritage Park Trail renamed as the Robert Redden Footbridge. This pedestrian bridge is now famous for the "Love Locks." To display their undying love, a couple etched their name on a padlock and attached it to the bridge.
Information from romegeorgia.org