Portsmouth and the Ohio River
Posted by: 
maggieszoo
N 38° 43.835 W 083° 00.130
17S E 325965 N 4288782
This marker is in a riverfront park. Make sure to take in the floodwall murals while you are here.
Waymark Code: WMAMC
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 04/16/2006
Views: 24
Text : Side A
The Ohio River floodwaters account for Portsmouth's settlement. Alexandria, the county's first town, was laid out in 1799 on the west bank of the Scioto at its confluence with the Ohio. Early settlers in Alexandria were forced to higher ground across the river in Portsmouth because of frequent flooding. As a result, Portsmouth, platted in 1803, became Scioto County's seat and business center by 1814. Prominent local industries included brick, stone, steel, wood products, and shoe manufacturing. As of 2003, the Ohio River is the cornerstone of Portsmouth's transportation system, providing a means for materials to reach destinations throughout the region. It also serves as a recreation hub. The three-mile long levy, first built in 1908, failed in the 1937 flood and was subsequently improved.
Marker Number: 8-73
County: Scioto
Significance of Location: Place
Bicentenial Mark: yes
Website address: [Web Link]
Additional Coordinate: Not Listed
Additional Coordinate description: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
If possible, unique photographs taken at the site, are requested. These can be of the site, your companions on your visit, or whatever. Tell of what you learned or thought of the site.