1953 Map of Portsmouth

About this map

The Ohio River forms a wide curve separating the industrial centers of southern Ohio from the rural ridges of Greenup County, Kentucky, in the mid-1950s. On the northern bank, the dense urban grid of Portsmouth is characterized by its rail yards, including the N & W and B & O lines, and historical landmarks like Mound Park. Across the water, connected by the U S Grant Bridge, the landscape shifts toward the winding course of Tygarts Creek. This area is dotted with small hilltop and valley settlements such as South Shore, Fullerton, and the community of Limeville (Tongs PO). The Kentucky side reveals a network of country schools and churches, from Plum Fork Sch to New Bethlehem Ch, highlighting the dispersed social life of these river-valley communities. Further inland, inactive clay pits and scattered cemeteries suggest the early industrial and family histories carved into the local topography.