Finance Chair, Georgia State Senate Legislative Session

Historic Barron Stadium

Celebrating Its 100th Anniversary

November 2, 2024

Rome’s historic Barron Stadium, built in 1924, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this fall. One of the oldest stadiums still in use in Georgia, the landmark located at the corner of Second Avenue and West Third Street has held the dreams of generations of Romans.

Whether as an athlete competing in football or track and field, as a marching band member, cheering on from the stands, or as a graduate accepting your diploma on the lush green field – Barron has a place in all our memories.

Before it was Barron Stadium, it was known as Hamilton Field, which was named after the family that owned the property. William F. Barron, a member of the Board of Education in the 1920s, signed the note to help acquire the property. His support prompted the community to name the field in his honor. The Chattanooga Times reported on March 23, 1925, that “part of the purchase price will be paid for by the city, the city board of education, and the balance by public subscription.”

The first football game played in the stadium was on October 2, 1925, between Rome High and Ft. Payne High. The following month, the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama freshman teams played a game in the stadium in a highly publicized matchup.

The stadium was initially laid out in a triangle with Second Avenue and West Third Street. Its orientation was changed to its current configuration in the late 1960s.

“A lot of athletic directors love on-campus venues, but the historic nature of Barron, its location, and aura are very, very special,” said Chris Boden, athletic director at Rome High, which now manages the stadium for the city. “The character of it means a lot. You can feel the history – and that’s a really cool thing.”

Boden said the partnership has benefited both the school and the city. The school system pays for any projects that cost less than $7,500 at the stadium, while the city will make capital improvement expenditures over that amount. The Special-Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds have helped with upgrades, including the artificial surface and improvements to the stadium’s entrance.

Over the years, eleven state championship games have been played at Barron. Several local teams faced off in those games, including Model in 1953, Rockmart in 1954, and Adairsville three times in the early 1970s. Both East Rome and West Rome competed in championship games in the 1970s and 80s: East Rome in 1977 and 1986 and West Rome in 1974, 1983, and 1985. Both Coosa and Pepperell High Schools utilized Barron for home games before building on-campus stadiums.

In addition to high school football, many collegiate competitions have been held at the stadium. Berry and Shorter played games there when the sport was added to both schools. Also, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics played national championship games at Barron from 2008 to 2013, and the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association held national championship games here in 2013 and 2014.

During Rome High’s gridiron action this fall, a highlight video featuring the history of Barron will be shown, and public address announcer John McClellan will conduct trivia contests related to the stadium’s history. The press box at Barron Stadium was named the Mowry-McClellan Press Box in 2023, honoring the late Lee Mowry and John McClellan, who were the voices of Rome High School football for over two decades.

In addition to being the home field for the Rome Wolves football team, the stadium also serves as the home track for the Rome Middle and High Schools Track and Field competitions and regional, state, and even collegiate tournaments. The John Maddox Track is named after local track star John Maddox.

One large draw for the community is the annual Peach State Marching Band Festival, which has called Barron Stadium home since 1974. This festival brings hundreds of band boosters from Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to town each fall.

Among the numerous renovations is a digital Jumbotron scoreboard, which stays on 24-7, allowing the schools to generate advertising revenue even when there isn’t action on the field.

As the area around Barron Stadium has grown, Boden says that the school system works to ensure fans and visitors have a great visit to the venue. One challenge is implementing systems to inform visitors regarding parking availability.