One of Ohio's longest history books isn't made of paper—it's painted across the floodwall. Directional sign for the start of the mural Rocksand / Atlas Obscura User Directional sign for the start of the mural Rocksand / Atlas Obscura User Directional sign for the start of the mural Rocksand / Atlas Obscura User Directional sign for the start of the mural Rocksand / Atlas Obscura User The Portsmouth Floodwall Murals were painted to transform a functional floodwall into an outdoor gallery to celebrate the city's rich history. Even though the city of Portsmouth, Ohio sits on higher ground adjacent to the Ohio River, it was still prone to flooding.
Unfortunately, the city endured flooding events in 1884, 1913, and 1937. After the massive flood in 1937 shattered the town, city officials constructed the floodwall to protect the community from future floods. Decades later, residents wanted the wall to do more than protect them from disaster - they saw it as a place to visually preserve the stories of Portsmouth's past.
In 1992 a nonprofit group headed by Dr. Chaboudy was formed to plan a mural on the floodwall.Beginning in 1993, artist Robert Dafford and a team of assistants painted a series of large murals depicting more than 2,000 years of local history. Within 60 giant panels, the artwork chronicles the city's history beginning with Native American heritage, early settlers, river commerce, the Underground Railroad, sports legends, and everyday life in Portsmouth.
The Portsmouth Floodwall Murals stretch 2,090 feet, almost half a mile,along Front Street in Portsmouth's historic Boneyfiddle District. The floodwall is 20 feet high,providing a massive canvas for the artwork. Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.
Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. This local attraction is free to the public, family-friendly, and easy to explore. The physical address for the beginning of the murals is 626 Front Street.
The route is set on a one-way street, which also includes walking and bike paths. Visitors can also find ample street parking to explore the murals up-close. For an immersive experience, the Portsmouth Mural, Inc. has created an audio and visual tour of the floodwall murals with an app, called the Portsmouth Murals App.
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