Portsmouth, OH is the gateway to three states, seven counties and within 90 miles of many major metropolitan markets. Located in Scioto County, on the beautiful Ohio River, Portsmouth, the county seat, was carefully laid out where the Scioto and Ohio Rivers meet. Portsmouth became the terminus for the Ohio Canal and still serves as a major hub to railways and water transportation. The city of Portsmouth, OH is just 89 miles south of Columbus on U.S. 23; 112 miles east of Cincinnati, OH via U.S. 52 (a scenic route) or State Route 32; and 54 miles west of Huntington, WV on U.S. 52. Travel to our city is accessible by way of car, bus, air and rail. Rail service is available with Amtrak, which stops across the river in South Shore, KY. The Greyhound Bus Lines services our area also. Portsmouth Regional Airport offers a 5000 feet landing strip, restaurant, car rental, and tie-down service. The history of our area dates from the discovery of the Ohio Valley by the French in 1749. In 1803, Henry Massie founded the city of Portsmouth. Due to the annual floods, especially the two severe floods in 1808, the people and the former county seat of Alexandria were moved to present day Portsmouth. Portsmouth was officially incorporated on December 29, 1814. The city was named after Portsmouth, NH, the hometown of Josiah Shackford, a good friend of Henry Massie. Portsmouth is basically an industrial city and multiple industries combined with an agricultural rural area provide employment for most of the county's employable residents. Portsmouth has a variety of cultural activities, providing a variety in the performing arts and fine museums. The hub of arts activity is the Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center. Another highlight in our area is the Floodwall Mural Project. Painting began in 1993 and 21 murals have been completed. The Floodwall project is an on-going endeavor. The highlight of Robert Dafford of Lafayette, Louisiana, the artist, is a three-dimensional illusion such that viewers feel that they can "step into" the painting, and this effect is shown in many Portsmouth murals.