A haunted road, a cold creek: Rome’s lesser-known landmarks

Rome and Floyd County have several sites that are generally accepted to be our landmarks — you know, the stuff they put on postcards and commemorative towels, the stuff the Visitors Bureau puts on car decals and magnets.

You’ve got your Clock Tower, of course, and the Capitoline Wolf, the Berry Campus and the historic Claremont House. Those are the things you’ll see on coffee mugs and T-shirts.

But I decided that we needed some alternate landmarks — places (and people) who really do epitomize our community. Not just the ones that look good on a brochure, but the places that give Rome a little color, a little personality, a little panache. With the help of social media, I asked my fellow Romans for suggestions and these are some of the things we came up with.

Let’s call ’em the B-Squad of Rome Landmarks:

That one house in Summerville Park with the creepy fake skating rink and skaters. Every year there’s one house in the Summerville Park neighborhood that displays a fake skating rink in the front yard. I think the owners put down a shiny canvas on the ground, line it with lights and then use what I believe are mannequins dressed in winter clothes (scarves, toboggans, gloves, jackets … the works) and made to look like they’re ice skating. Cute idea right? Well, when the lights are turned off and you drive by late at night, it’s a very unsettling scene.

The Applebee’s parking lot. For years, Romans have gathered on this hallowed ground to watch the Fourth of July fireworks show at Ridge Ferry Park.

The house on Second Avenue with a million plants on the front porch. Ever noticed that little house right on Second Avenue? It has a ton of yard ornaments out front, and on the porch there are several rocking chairs. But the plants are what always catch my eye. There are dozens of plants decorating the porch, whether hanging or standing in pots.

Lindale. It seems like a pretty general area but Lindale’s got so many interesting little bits of history and lore that it’s an attraction all by itself. There’s the duck pond in which, legend has it, there’s millions of dollars worth of Union gold stolen by Confederate soldiers. Then there are little “towns” like Six Mile and Boozeville that … well, they aren’t actually there. People use their names to give directions and a little red arrow pops up when you Google a map of Boozeville or Six Mile, but no one’s address actually says Boozeville, Georgia, does it? There’s also the name of the main thoroughfare that runs through Lindale. Try to keep up with me on this. Officially (and by officially I mean according to Google Maps), that stretch of concrete begins as Maple Avenue. Just after the overpass it becomes Maple Road. When it crosses the train tracks it becomes Park Avenue and even farther down, after it crosses Booze Mountain Road it becomes Old Cedartown Highway. And if that’s not complicated enough, there are old timers who will tell you that they used to (and some still do) call that road by completely different names. Apparently to some it’s A Street, B Street and C Street, depending on which stretch you’re talking about.

Schroeder’s Deli. The Broad Street staple has remained a favorite of locals and visitors alike. It’s immensely popular. And not just because of the friendly atmosphere, quirky menu items, Beatles-heavy jukebox and … I’m gonna use the word “eclectic” staff. I think it’s because of John Schroeder himself. He’s the fixture. It’s almost like he (and his little empire) are the fixed body that the rest of downtown Rome orbits around. He’s the sun. There I said it. John Schroeder is the sun.

Armuchee Creek. Since time immemorial, Armuchee residents, Romans in general and even visitors from nearby counties have known that on a blistering summer day, nothing keeps the Georgia sun at bay like splashing around in the cool waters of a little tributary called Armuchee Creek. It’s not as well known a swimming hole as Little River Canyon, and not even half the size, but on a hot day it’s a rock-jumping, rope-swinging little piece of heaven.

Fouche Gap. Not much needs to be said of Fouche Gap. People just know. There are many a Floyd County couple who spent a quiet evening or two getting to know each other a little better out at Fouche Gap.

Bargain Hunt. It’s sort of an amusement park for thrifty Romans. It’s a recent phenomenon but — you know how people sit around swapping stories of the monster fish they caught or the big ole buck that almost got away? Well now people also talk about the incredible deal they managed to snag on a West Rome bargain hunt.

CCC Road. Legend has it that this road on Berry College land is steeped in the paranormal, and that when traveling down the road from east to west, one crosses seven bridges. But upon turning around and traveling in the other direction, one only crosses six bridges. Many Rome residents (present company included) have tried to find out for themselves the validity of this claim. The results are mixed.

The Gravy Boat might be tiny but for years it has provided Romans with some of the tastiest biscuits around. Its drive-thru line is so long on some mornings that customers have been known to block traffic on Dean Avenue. They sell all manner of breakfast items but are famous for their biscuits. If you’ve never been, may I suggest a big ol’ country ham biscuit?

Rome and Floyd County are filled with unique and quirky people and places that truly give our community its character. You may not find them on a brochure but they’re just as important as the big tourist attractions. If I’ve neglected to mention somewhere you think should make the list, send me an email at SAvila@RN-T.com and your choice just may end up on the next list of not-so-famous local landmarks.