Monday, March 23, 2026
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
Rome and Floyd County lose a 134-year-old landmark.
On Monday, the Historic Floyd County Courthouse was devastated by fire.
According to Rome-Floyd Fire Department Division Chief Jamie Stone, the call came in at 2:12 p.m., and the fire spread quickly.
Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading.
The age of the building and the swirling winds made fighting the blaze a challenge, especially when it spread to the steeple.
Firefighters will remain at the scene through the night, and the area around the courthouse will remain closed.
According to Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord, they are already working to move the employees who worked in the old courthouse across the street to the former joint law enforcement center.
The county will be posting updates on its social media pages regarding the reopening of the tax and tag office in the new location.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Floyd County Commission will consider emergency funding allocations to relocate operations previously housed at the Historic Floyd County Courthouse
“We are so thankful for the quick response and hard work of all of our first responders,” said Commission Chair Rhonda Wallace. “From the first report of smoke by a facilities employee and their work to evacuate the building, to our 911 operators who took the calls and our law enforcement who protected the people on the ground, we thank you. And, to our Rome-Floyd Fire Department, we cannot begin to express our thanks for the preservation of life and adjoining property by your quick and professional action. It truly takes a team, and we are so proud of ours.”
The building housed the offices and functions of the Tax Commissioner, Tax Assessor, and Tag Office. According to Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord, all occupants were safely evacuated after a fire was reported at the building at 2:12 p.m. Once outside, supervisors conducted a roll call to ensure everyone had exited safely.
Rome-Floyd County Fire Department crews worked for hours to extinguish the blaze. Ash and smoke from the fire spread through downtown Rome, while the Rome Police Department, Floyd County Police Department, and Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Georgia State Patrol, cordoned off the area.
Built in 1892, the Floyd County Courthouse was undergoing renovations, funded through SPLOST and ARPA, were underway at the time of the fire. At this time, the cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.
Citizens who need to pay property tax or renew tag registrations can do so online at www.floydcountytax.com. Plans are underway to resume operations at a temporary location and restore services with the necessary equipment as soon as possible.
Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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