1994 Map of Portland

About this map

Shade River State Forest and the Forked Run State Park dominate the northern terrain of this riverfront landscape, where the Ohio River carves a deep bend through the borderlands of Ohio and West Virginia. Settlement patterns are tied closely to the river's path and the ridgelines of Spicer Ridge and Milhoan Ridge. Small communities and river landings like Long Bottom, Murraysville, and Portland serve as focal points for local history, supported by numerous country cemeteries including Sand Hill Cem and Middleswart Cem. The map reveals a rural economy shaped by topographic necessity, with gas wells scattered across the hills and significant natural spaces like the Ohio River State Wildlife Access area. Notable landmarks such as the Buffington Island State Memorial near the southern boundary underscore the region's historical depth during the late twentieth century.