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Scioto County, Ohio

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Scioto County is a county along the Ohio River in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Ohio. At the 2020 census, the population was 74,008.[2] Its county seat is Portsmouth.[3] The county was founded on March 24, 1804, from Adams County and is named for a Native American word referring to deer or deer-hunting.[4] Scioto County comprises the Portsmouth, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is at the confluence of the Scioto and Ohio rivers.

Scioto County
County
Scioto County Courthouse
Scioto County Courthouse
Flag of Scioto County
Flag
Official seal of Scioto County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Scioto County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°49′N 82°59′W / 38.81°N 82.99°W / 38.81; -82.99
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedMarch 24, 1803[1]
Named forScioto River
SeatPortsmouth
Largest cityPortsmouth
Area
 • Total
616 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Land610 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Water5.9 sq mi (15 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
74,008 Decrease
 • Density120/sq mi (50/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.sciotocountyohio.com

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 616 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 610 square miles (1,600 km2) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5] Many parts of Scioto County are heavily forested, especially in the western half of the county with Shawnee State Park.

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Other parks

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Shawnee State Forest and Park, the state's largest with over 63,000 acres (250 km2),[6] covers most of western Scioto County, and Brush Creek State Forest touches part of northwestern Scioto County. The county also has numerous parks and recreational areas in each of its townships, including Earl Thomas Conley Park on U.S. 52 west of Portsmouth. Public lands in the county also include the Wayne National Forest on the Ironton Ranger District. The 241,000-acre (980 km2)[7] forest encompasses almost 12,000 acres (49 km2) in three townships in Scioto County (Vernon 6,793.50 acres (27.4923 km2), Green township 81,695 acres (330.61 km2), and Bloom 4,008.29 acres).

Within the city limits of Portsmouth, there are 14 parks for the residents and for community use. These parks are Alexandria Park (Ohio and Scioto River confluence), Allard Park (Bonser Avenue in Sciotoville), Bannon Park (near Farley Square), Branch Rickey Park (on Williams Street near levee), Buckeye Park (near Branch Rickey Park), Cyndee Secrest Park (Sciotoville), Dr. Hartlage Park (Rose Street in Sciotoville), Labold Park (near Spartan Stadium), Larry Hisle Park (23rd Street and Thomas Avenue), Mound Park (17th and Hutchins Streets), York Park (riverfront), Spartan Stadium, Tracy Park (Chillicothe and Gay Streets), and Weghorst Park (Fourth and Jefferson Streets).[8]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18103,399—
18205,75069.2%
18308,74052.0%
184011,19228.1%
185018,42864.7%
186024,29731.8%
187029,30220.6%
188033,51114.4%
189035,3775.6%
190040,98115.8%
191048,46318.3%
192062,85029.7%
193081,22129.2%
194086,5656.6%
195082,910−4.2%
196084,2161.6%
197076,951−8.6%
198084,5459.9%
199080,327−5.0%
200079,195−1.4%
201079,4990.4%
202074,008−6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2020 [2]

2000 census

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At the 2000 census,[13] 79,195 people, 30,871 households, and 21,362 families resided in the county. The population density was 129 per square mile (50/km2). There were 34,054 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile (22/km2). The county's racial makeup was 94.88% White, 2.73% Black or African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 30,871 households, of which 31.80% had children under 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 13.10% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.80% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.

24.40% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% were 65 or older. The median age was 37. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median household income was $28,008 and the median family income was $34,691. Males had a median income of $32,063 and females $21,562. The per capita income was $15,408. About 15.2% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under 18 and 12.8% of those 65 or over.

2010 census

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At the 2010 United States Census, 79,499 people, 30,870 households, and 20,911 families resided in the county.[14] The population density was 130.3 per square mile (50.3/km2). There were 34,142 housing units at an average density of 56.0 per square mile (21.6/km2).[15] The county's racial makeup was 94.4% white, 2.7% black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 22.9% were German, 15.0% were Irish, 12.1% were American, and 10.1% were English.[16]

Of the 30,870 households, 32.2% had children under 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.3% were non-families and 27.4% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 38.8.[14]

The median household income was $32,812 and the median family income was $44,122. Males had a median income of $40,876 and females $29,675. The per capita income was $17,778. About 16.4% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under 18 and 11.8% of those 65 or over.[17]

Politics

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The county was recently a swing county, as most presidential elections before 2016 were won by close margins. Donald Trump won over 60% of the county's vote in 2016, 71% in 2020, and 73.5% in 2024.

United States presidential election results for Scioto County, Ohio[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 22,978 73.59% 8,021 25.69% 226 0.72%
2020 22,609 70.54% 9,080 28.33% 362 1.13%
2016 20,550 66.28% 9,132 29.46% 1,321 4.26%
2012 15,492 49.56% 15,077 48.23% 693 2.22%
2008 16,994 51.93% 14,926 45.61% 803 2.45%
2004 18,259 51.87% 16,827 47.80% 117 0.33%
2000 15,022 50.17% 13,997 46.74% 926 3.09%
1996 11,679 37.28% 15,041 48.01% 4,608 14.71%
1992 11,931 35.48% 14,715 43.76% 6,978 20.75%
1988 16,029 52.11% 14,442 46.95% 289 0.94%
1984 18,818 56.65% 14,120 42.51% 281 0.85%
1980 15,881 48.76% 15,552 47.75% 1,135 3.49%
1976 13,021 41.35% 18,019 57.22% 448 1.42%
1972 19,998 63.13% 11,008 34.75% 673 2.12%
1968 15,310 47.37% 13,836 42.81% 3,171 9.81%
1964 13,465 38.45% 21,559 61.55% 0 0.00%
1960 21,771 56.67% 16,647 43.33% 0 0.00%
1956 22,110 59.60% 14,985 40.40% 0 0.00%
1952 20,403 52.93% 18,145 47.07% 0 0.00%
1948 16,800 48.20% 17,923 51.43% 129 0.37%
1944 17,489 50.51% 17,134 49.49% 0 0.00%
1940 19,462 47.02% 21,926 52.98% 0 0.00%
1936 17,860 44.23% 22,243 55.08% 277 0.69%
1932 17,225 51.28% 15,817 47.09% 548 1.63%
1928 20,997 73.60% 7,425 26.03% 108 0.38%
1924 12,189 62.83% 5,532 28.51% 1,680 8.66%
1920 11,871 58.96% 7,682 38.15% 582 2.89%
1916 6,356 53.82% 4,808 40.71% 645 5.46%
1912 3,609 34.22% 3,508 33.26% 3,430 32.52%
1908 5,790 53.52% 4,310 39.84% 718 6.64%
1904 5,540 62.56% 2,420 27.33% 895 10.11%
1900 5,756 60.15% 3,629 37.92% 185 1.93%
1896 5,492 59.44% 3,658 39.59% 90 0.97%
1892 4,268 55.87% 3,181 41.64% 190 2.49%
1888 4,070 55.02% 3,075 41.57% 252 3.41%
1884 4,155 57.45% 2,990 41.34% 88 1.22%
1880 3,639 55.03% 2,912 44.03% 62 0.94%
1876 3,359 52.55% 3,025 47.32% 8 0.13%
1872 2,888 57.53% 2,091 41.65% 41 0.82%
1868 2,904 57.00% 2,191 43.00% 0 0.00%
1864 2,806 57.78% 2,050 42.22% 0 0.00%
1860 2,186 50.51% 1,750 40.43% 392 9.06%
1856 546 15.60% 1,634 46.67% 1,321 37.73%

Government

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See also: Ohio county government

Portsmouth is Scioto County's county seat. The county courthouse is at the corner of Sixth and Court streets. It was designed by John Scudder Adkins and constructed in 1936 as a public works project. The county jail, once in the courthouse, is now in a new facility at the site of the former Norfolk and Western rail depot, near U.S. 23. It was constructed in 2006.

Scioto County is the site of the state's Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, in Lucasville. It is Ohio's only maximum security prison and the site of Ohio's death house, where death row inmates are executed.

The county maintenance garage is also in Lucasville.

Economy

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Scioto County's economy has been strongly based on that of Portsmouth after heavy industry replaced agriculture and river trade as most important. Through the early 20th century and until the 1970s, heavy industry such as steel mills and shoe factories drove the county's economy. Since these factories closed, Scioto County has lost jobs and revenue.

In the early 21st century, the service industry and healthcare, such as the Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC), is the county's largest employer. Scioto County is home to Ohio's newest state university, Shawnee State University, which enrolls between 3,300 and 4,000 students and grants associate, baccalaureate and master's degrees. Much of the recent economic growth and change in the county is related to SOMC and Shawnee State University. Recently Infra-Metals announced the development of a new steel shipping/fabrication site in New Boston, Ohio in the Bob Walton Industrial Park. The plant is under construction and will have access to both barge and rail loading facilities.

In November 2002, the Portsmouth Uranium Enrichment Plant in nearby Piketon was recognized as an ANS Nuclear Historic Landmark by the American Nuclear Society.[19] It had served a military function from 1952 until the mid-1960s, when the mission changed from enriching uranium for nuclear weapons to producing fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. The Portsmouth Uranium Enrichment Plant ended enriching operations in 2001. It began to support operational and administrative functions and perform external contract work. All uranium enrichment in the area has been taken over by a sister plant in Paducah, Kentucky. Uranium enrichment functions had been shared by the two plants. USEC interests in the area remain strong, and the American Centrifuge Plant was constructed in the first decade of the 21st century in Piketon. This commercial uranium enrichment facility was expected to employ up to 500 people and reach an initial annual production level of 3.5 million SWU by 2010.

Scioto County has also been the benefactor of Suncoke (coke (fuel) production).[20] Sole Choice, Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of shoelaces, is in the county.[21] Graf Brothers Flooring and Lumber, the world's largest manufacturer of rift and quartered oak products,[22] has two satellite log yards in the county. Its main office is across the river in South Shore, Kentucky.[23]

Education

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Colleges and universities

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The Ohio University Southern Campus was in Scioto County until the early 1980s, when it relocated to Lawrence County (Ironton).[citation needed] Shawnee State Community College used the former Ohio University buildings. The curriculum and facilities were developed to a full four-year undergraduate program and graduate studies, being established in 1986 as Shawnee State University from the former Scioto County Technical College, Ohio's 13th and newest higher education institution.

K–12 schools

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Scioto County has ten public school districts, one career technical center, one private school system, one charter school system, and several Christian schools. These districts include Bloom-Vernon (South Webster), Clay, Green, Minford, New Boston, Northwest, Notre Dame (Catholic), Portsmouth, Scioto County Career Technical Center (serving both K–12 and post-secondary students), Sciotoville Community School/East HS (charter), Valley, Washington-Nile (Ports. West) and Wheelersburg.

See also Ohio High School Athletic Association and Southern Ohio Conference.

Libraries

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The Portsmouth Public Library was established as a Carnegie library in 1906. It now has four branches and a bookmobile to serve the county as well. The library has branches in Lucasville, New Boston, South Webster and Wheelersburg.[24]

Transportation

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A nighttime view of the newly built U.S. Grant Bridge carrying U.S. 23 over the Ohio River into downtown Portsmouth from Kentucky

Highways

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Scioto County is served by two major highways, the north–south U.S. 23 and the east–west U.S. 52. Other routes include SR 73, SR 104, SR 125, SR 139, SR 140, SR 335, SR 348, SR 522, SR 728, SR 776, and SR 823.

Rail

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See also: South Portsmouth-South Shore (Amtrak station)

Norfolk Southern offers a railyard for long-distance shipping and is currently reopening the repair shops. Amtrak offers a passenger service to the Portsmouth/Scioto County area under the Cardinal route. The passenger station is located in South Shore, Kentucky, across the Ohio River.

Air

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Scioto County offers air services with the Greater Portsmouth Regional Airport located in Minford, Ohio, which is approximately 14 miles (23 km) northeast of Portsmouth on SR 335. The nearest airport with scheduled passenger service is Huntington/Tri-State Airport (HTS) in West Virginia, about 60 miles (97 km) east of Portsmouth on I-64.

Public transportation

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Public transportation for Scioto County is offered through Access Scioto County.[25]

Media

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Scioto County is a dividing line of numerous television markets, which includes the Columbus, Cincinnati and Huntington-Charleston markets. Local television stations include WSAZ-NBC (channel 3.1), WZAS-myNetwork (myZtv channel 3.2), WOWK-CBS (channel 13.1), WCHS-ABC (channel 8.1) and WQCW, a CW affiliate with an office in Portsmouth and Charleston, and more recently WTZP-LD "The Zone", an America One Affiliate that offers more local programming, such as news, high school sports, community events and locally produced shows about the area. Local radio stations WIOI, WPYK, WNXT and WZZZ serve the county and surrounding areas.

The county is also served by three newspapers. The Portsmouth Daily Times is the county's only daily newspaper. The Community Common is a free biweekly newspaper, and the Scioto Voice is a weekly newspaper that is mailed to subscribers. The University Chronicle is Shawnee State University's student-led newspaper. Of these, only three are locally owned and operated (WTZP, WIOI, and The Scioto Voice).

Sports

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Professional

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Scioto County had a series of semi-pro football teams in the 1920s and 1930s, the most notable being the Portsmouth Shoe-Steels, whose roster included player-coach Jim Thorpe. From 1929 to 1933, Portsmouth was home to a professional football team, The Portsmouth Spartans. This team later became the NFL franchise Detroit Lions in 1934. The Portsmouth Spartans also competed in the first professional football night game versus the Green Bay Packers in 1930.[26]

The Portsmouth Explorers were one of the original baseball teams in the Frontier League, a non-affiliated minor league organization. The Explorers played in the league's first three seasons, from 1993 to 1995. In 1938, Portsmouth was also home to the Portsmouth Red Birds, a minor-league team owned by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Collegiate

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Shawnee State University (SSU) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA-Division II). It has participated in 24 national championships in 6 of 11 sponsored sports. The university's women's basketball team won an NAIA National Title in 1999 and finished in the final four in 1995.[27] The softball team has also had national exposure, reaching the "Sweet 16" on several occasions. The team finished 10th in 1992, 8th in 1995, 9th in 1996, and 9th in 2001.[28]

Amateur

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The 12 local high schools, the other educational institutions, the adult leagues, and the development leagues (e.g. AAU and club organizations) generate a great deal of participation as either participants or as followers of sports teams. The teams have made 60 trips to the Ohio High School Athletic Association championships, winning 19 state titles. These have included four softball titles (Clay HS in 1980, 1981, & 1983 and Wheelersburg HS in 2016); five baseball titles (East HS in 1973, Valley HS in 1975, and Wheelersburg HS in 1996, 2012, and 2013); four football titles (two by Notre Dame HS in 1967 and 1970 and two by Wheelersburg HS in 1989 and 2017); and six boys' basketball titles (1931, 1961, 1978 and 1988 by Portsmouth HS and 2006 by South Webster HS).[citation needed]

Culture

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The Vern Riffe Arts Center, on the Shawnee State University campus, hosts many local and traveling performances, including Broadway plays and Miss Ohio pageants. Scioto County is home to the Boneyfiddle Historical District (which is on the National Register of Historic Places), SSU's Clark Planetarium, the 1810 House, Greenup Locks & Dam, the Philip Moore Stone House, Roy Rogers' Memorabilia Exhibit, the Southern Ohio Museum, and Spartan Municipal Stadium.

Events

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Scioto County is best known for Portsmouth's "River Days" activities, which include a parade, a pageant associated with local high schools, boat races on the Ohio River (in the past), musical performances and a carnival. River Days occurs on Labor Day (the first Monday of September) weekend. Activities begin on Thursday evening and the parade and pageant is on Saturday.

The Scioto County Fair is held in the first full week of August of each year. It is one of the largest in the state, drawing approximately 75,000 visitors each year (the single-day record is 17,000).[29] The first county fair was held in 1828;[30] in 1908 Lucasville became the official site when three fairs (Mount Joy, Portsmouth and Lucasville) merged into one.[31] The Roy Rogers' Homecoming Festival is held each June.

Communities

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Map of Scioto County, with municipal and township labels

City

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Villages

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Townships

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Notable residents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Scioto County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 8, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. ^ a b 2020 census
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Scioto County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.[dead link‍]
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  6. ^ "Shawnee State Park". Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "Wayne National Forest". Washington County CVB. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  8. ^ "Portsmouth Area Resource Guide 2007-2008". The Community Common. July 29, 2007. p. 4.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  15. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  16. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  17. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  19. ^ "Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant Timeline". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "Company Profile". Reuters. Retrieved December 31, 2018.[dead link‍]
  21. ^ Feight, rew Lee; Ph.D. "Sole Choice & the Portsmouth Shoe Industry". Scioto Historical. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  22. ^ "Graf Brothers Flooring". Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  23. ^ "Graf Brothers Flooring". Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  24. ^ "History of the Portsmouth Public Library" (PDF). Scioto County Public Library. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
    - "Portsmouth Public Library – Your Resource For A Lifetime Of Learning". Scioto County Public Library. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  25. ^ "Scioto County DD News Article". www.sciotocountydd.org. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  26. ^ Ohio Historical Society. "National Football League". Retrieved May 16, 2007.
    - Chris Murphy. "Portsmouth Spartans Historical Society". Retrieved May 16, 2007.
  27. ^ SSU Athletic Department. "SSU Women's Basketball - Quick Facts". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  28. ^ SSU Athletic Department. "SSU Softball - Quick Facts". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  29. ^ "Gahm: Heat Doesn't Deter Fairgoers". Portsmouth Daily Times. August 11, 2007. p. A1.
  30. ^ "County fairs of yesteryear". Scioto Voice. August 2, 2007. p. A8.
  31. ^ Scioto County Fair Board (August 5, 2007). "Fair Preview: Scioto County Fair has long history". Portsmouth Daily Times. p. 12.
  32. ^ "Johns Hopkins Hospital appoints its first female president". May 12, 2016.

38°49′N 82°59′W / 38.81°N 82.99°W / 38.81; -82.99

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