Posted June 6, 200718 yr Another in a periodic look at industrial Ohio River towns. I don't know much about Portsmouth. Steel town. Railroad town. Some 19,000 people now -- obviously a lot more in years past. A lot of impressive buildings -- many now underused and next to vacant lots. Two business districts in an expansive downtown. The Boneyfiddle district runs east-west, parallel to the river, mostly along 2nd Street (a block north of the impressive floodwall murals in the Mural City), with older buildings, many 19th century. Chillicothe Street runs north-south from the bridge and is the newer, main downtown with early 20th century buildings -- three of eight or more stories. It no longer bustles. Businesses all over feature photos of Portsmouth the way it used to be, with people and cars crowding downtown day and night, busy shops cheek by jowl. Chillicothe Street, looking south toward the river. Zooming in on Chillicothe Street "skyscrapers" Looking east from the courthouse to Chillicothe Street Masonic building Ohio's cleanest antique shop, on Chillicothe Street Chillicothe Street, looking north from the bridge Chillicothe Street urban density Boneyfiddle -- 2nd Street looking west Boneyfiddle skyline from the levee Boneyfiddle corner 2nd Street streetscape, looking west 2nd Street streetscape, looking east Portsmouth skyline Looking east on Gallia Street Scioto County Courthouse, an impressive building set off from downtown, flanked by parking lots and across the street from unimpressive houses. Ohio's own Crispie Creme -- not to be confused with the copycat Krispy Kreme The Scioto mouth and Portsmouth Bridge south to Kentucky from Chillicothe Street Coming soon: Ripley, Ohio, and Maysville, Ky.
June 6, 200718 yr Awesome! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
June 7, 200718 yr The cable-stayed span was delayed for a long time due to construction incidents, weather, etc. It's a nice replacement though! Boneyfiddle is quite nice, although the demolition of several historic structures have left many gaps that are unlikely to be filled any time soon. The economy there is still in the doldrums, with the leaving of the uranium enrichment plant, New Boston Coke/Cyclops Steel, and etc. The retirement home, in a historic building next to the floodwall, is one of the best restoration projects I've seen for that city. Did you check out the very long floodwall mural? It is one of the longest in the nation!
June 7, 200718 yr I saw the retirement home -- yes: very nice. And we did a quick tour of the floodwall. Great stuff, lotsa good history. And sports: Branch Rickey and the Portsmouth Spartans (as the Detroit Lions originally were known).
June 7, 200718 yr Hey, they were great... like the Ironton Tanks. You guys ruined them :P The Ribber on Scioto (near the new high school) has a lot of Spartan memorabilia. Also, great ribs.
June 9, 200718 yr Flash Earth aerial Southwest of downtown is Boneyfiddle, which still boasts a healthy collection of buildings -- although there are many gaps. West of downtown is the courthouse and dense development, although not so much residential anymore. North of downtown is the Kroger's (the big box south of the park). It is elaborately decorated along the main drag, although the parking lot in front detracts from the streetscape. East of downtown is residential, although not highly desireable. Southeast of downtown is Shawnee University -- the cheapest public university in Ohio IIRC. It has also rapidly grown since 1985.
June 9, 200718 yr Ahhh, Portsmouth. I miss it. are you from the Portsmouth area? I lived there for four years while attending Shawnee.
June 14, 200718 yr Interesting looking city.Wish I could have seen it in its heyday. Thanks for the tour.
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