The park sits on the banks of the Ohio River, there is a picnic area and a playground. Wonder what lies on the other side of the floodwall murals? With a few different entry points, visitors can access Riverfront Park. GET YOUR PERMIT HERE.Īddress: 52, Old River Rd, West Portsmouth, OH 45663 Riverfront Park In Portsmouth, Ohio IMPORTANT PLANNING TIP: ACCESS IS BY PERMIT ONLY. Weathering of the sandstone has resulted in three natural arches, the largest with a 10-foot span. The preserve offers a panoramic view of the Ohio River valley. One of the best places to get a scenic view of the Ohio Valley is Raven Rock State, Nature Park. Today guests can take a self-guided tour of the Floodwall murals.Īddress: 626 Front Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662 Raven Rock State Nature Preserve Dafford met with town historians to gather historical facts, ideas, and events to turn into murals that would become the famous storytellers of Portsmouth’s rich history. In 1992 the city approached local artist Richard Dafford with an opportunity to turn the floodwalls into a work of art. While the walls were effective in keeping floodwaters at bay, they were an eyesore to residents who had lost their beautiful view of the river. In 1947, 20ft cement walls stretched 2,000 ft between the heart of the area’s riverfront and Front Street. However, after the great flood of 1937 that wreaked havoc on the small town, the city built flood walls to protect it. Portsmouth, Ohio, is a river community that has seen its share of disastrous floods. Over 55 murals adorn the floodwalls, each depicting a moment in time. The Portsmouth Ohio Floodwall Murals are an iconic Ohio landmark that portrays the local history through exquisitely painted murals. The Top Things To Do In Portsmouth Ohio The Portsmouth Floodwall Murals Today the city is home to Shawnee State Univerity and the popular floodwall murals. As the city rebuilt new businesses came, but the city never saw the success that it had in earlier years. The floodwalls were built in hopes of preventing another devastating flood. The flood left thirty-five thousand residents homeless and destroyed sixty percent of all of the homes in the community. The Ohio River crested more than twenty feet above flood stage. The Great Depression of the 1930s was a difficult time for Portsmouth, but the great flood of 1937 was disastrous. Self-guided tour of the Portsmouth floodwall murals In 1928, the Portsmouth Spartans joined the National Football League. The town was thriving with the success of businesses such as Scioto Valley Firebrick Company, Mitchellace, and the Selby Shoe Company. Portsmouth’s growth resulted in the town becoming the Scioto County seat. Located at the intersection of the Ohio River and the Scioto River, Portsmouth grew quickly due to the traffic on the rivers. He named the town Portsmouth after Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Henry Massie formally laid out Portsmouth in 1803. The first permanent settler from the newly independent United States to live in the vicinity of what would become Portsmouth was Emanuel Traxler in 1796. Portsmouth can be accessed through State Route 52, Scenic Ohio River Scenic Byway, in addition to route 23.Ĭincinnati: 103 miles ~One hour and fifty minutesĬolumbus: 91 miles ~ One hour and thirty-seven minutesĬleveland: 233 miles ~ Three hours and fifty-one minutes History of Portsmouth Portsmouth is located in Southern Ohio, and lies on the north bank of the Ohio River, across from Kentucky, just east of the mouth of the Scioto Rivers. Use this guide to start planning a weekend to explore this small charming town in southern Ohio. Stroll the magnificent floodwall murals, hunt for antiques, or take a peaceful hike through Shawnee State Park. Where the Scioto River meets the Ohio River lays the sleepy small town of Portsmouth, Ohio. The beautiful floodwall murals are only one of the many best things to do in Portsmouth, Ohio.
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