History

Long before 510 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 Steam 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.