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Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage

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Ohio, Scioto County, Portsmouth


Portsmouth Railroads, 1950's
From the late 1800's through most of the 20th century, the Portsmouth area was served by the N&W (Norfolk & Western), the B&O (Baltimore and Ohio), and the C&O (Chesapeake and Ohio). The N&W's vast train assembly yard is the main focus of the mural. The yard's roundhouse is depicted in the top left corner, and a shop scene in the bottom center illustrates the hot expansion of a steel train wheel. Other items of note are the N&W's last steam-driven locomotive named the "Powhatan Arrow" at bottom left, a 1200 series freight locomotive at the bottom right, and the B&O's turnaround in Boneyfiddle in the inset at top center.

[The "Powhatan Arrow" was actually the name of a N&W passenger train which was pulled by the streamlined 4-8-4 J-Class steam locomotives]

The C&O's Sciotoville bridge shown at the top right, was built in 1917. With a double span of 1,550 feet it was, for many years, the longest continuous truss bridge in the world. It remains today the strongest bridge ever built.

Modern Industry
This mural depicts the major industries in the Portsmouth area today. Located in the left third of the mural are pictures featuring gray iron castings produced by OSCO Industries Inc. The middle third is an aerial view of the uranium enrichment plant located near Piketon, Ohio. The right third shows scenes inside Mitchellace Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of shoelaces. In both the shoelace manufacturing and the gray iron casting portions of the mural there are reverse telescopic views of these industries as they were in the past.

Medical History
This mural demonstrates the progression of medical practice in the Portsmouth area. The center left panel shows Dr. Thomas Waller, the first physician in Portsmouth, attending a patient in the home, and the right panel depicts a present-day operating room. The border is a reflection of various local hospitals down through the years, ending with Southern Ohio Medical Center, a state-of-the-art medical facility (bottom right). SOMC opened in 1968 and continues to expand its services. It is the largest facility of its kind in the south-central Ohio area. Also note the graduating classes of nursing students from several of the hospitals, including one class from Shawnee State University.

Twentieth Century Wars
The theme of this mural demonstrates that the United States has fought for freedom worldwide in the five major wars which began during the twentieth century. The figures and emblems in the mural represent these wars and the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Shown in the upper border is the MIA/KIA monument in Tracy Park. Thousands of men and women from southern Ohio either enlisted or were drafted into the armed forces during this period of history. This mural honors all of those who have served our country.

(Industry & Commerce • Patriots & Patriotism • Railroads & Streetcars • Science & Medicine) Includes location, directions, 11 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Historic Second Presbyterian Church

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New Jersey, Warren County, Oxford
The brick church was constructed in 1866 on land deeded to Second Presbyterian Church by the Scranton Family, who were proprietors of Oxford Furnace and among the congregation's founders. Rev,. E. Clarke Cline was the first installed minister on January 31, 1866, following his service as Civil War chaplain for the 11th NJ Regiment. The chapel was built in 1847 and became Oxford Furnace's first place of worship as a missionary church of First Presbyterian Church of Oxford, now known as First Presbyterian Church of Oxford at Hazen. The chapel was also Oxford;s first community center, and for a time the town's schoolhouse. The original stone chapel was destroyed by fire and the existing building was erected on its foundation in 1866. The Manse was built in 1873 to house pastors and their families. Today it serves as offices for the church and community missions. Both the Chapel and Manse rest on land transferred to Second Presbyterian Church by the First Church upon Second Church's founding in 1863. For more history, visit www.Oxford2nd.org

(Churches, Etc.) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church

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New Jersey, Warren County, Oxford
Oxford Industrial Historic District Site #10 Dedicated in 1902

(Churches, Etc.) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Log Cabin & Ground Hog Kiln

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New Jersey, Hunterdon County, Flemington
James Teague, of North Carolina's Teague family of potters, hand threw Stangl's stoneware pottery here from Spring of 1941 until shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor & America's entry into World War II in late December of the same year. During demonstrations, Teague would sometimes don a blindfold & throw perfectly made bowls, lamps, plates, vases & other exquisitely crafted pieces of Stangl stoneware. The log cabin was open again during the summers of 1965-71, with Ann Fritsche Martin demonstrating pottery throwing & decoration of leaf & flower-shaped ashtrays.

(Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Obadiah Latourette Grist and Saw Mill

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New Jersey, Morris County, Long Valley
This mill is listed on the Sate and National Registers of Historic Places as a contributing property in the German Valley Historic District.

Built circa 1750, and owned by Phillip Weise, the mill was essential to the economy and development of German Valley and the surrounding agricultural community. For much of its history, it was the most successful business in the village, grinding grain and producing flour and animal feed. A saw mill was located behind the grist mill during the 1800's.

Originally powered by two water wheels, the mill was converted to turbine power by owner Obadiah LaTourette in the 1870's. The milling operation continued until the early 1940's. Most of the machinery remains, reflecting the history of milling over 200 years.

In 1991, The Washington Township Land Trust purchased the building and embarked upon its restoration with the aid of volunteers, grants and generous donations.

(Agriculture • Industry & Commerce) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

"Battle on a Sabbath Morn"

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Kentucky, Pulaski County, near Nancy
You are standing in the center of the area where most of the Mill Springs Battle took place on Sunday morning, January 19, 1862. This illustration depicts the scene from a birds eye viewpoint above and behind you. The Union line stood to your left, partly protected by a rail fence at the edge of a woodlot (now a part of the field). The Confederate line was in the wooded ravine to your right.

Charging from the ravine, the Confederates launched repeated attacks on the Union line only to be driven back after desperate hand to hand fighting. The battle line extended across the road to your left, but fighting there was less intense until the final charge of the 9th Ohio. This charge broke the Confederate line and caused the Southern forces to retreat from the field.

For most of the soldiers here, this was their first battle experience; they carried away vivid impressions that lasted a lifetime. Their eyewitness accounts help us visualize the battle and its aftermath.

"The reports of the muskets and rifles now commingled into one sound like the terrible roar of winds of a mighty storm, interrupted only by the louder sound of artillery." - Eastham Tarrant, 1st Kentucky Cavalry U.S.

"Our entire line, putting their guns through the cracks of the fence, fired into them with ball and buckshot, and the scene that followed defied description." - Lieutenant James Binford, 13th Mississippi Infantry

We were so close on them that one man had his beard and whiskers singed by the fire of one of the muskets; Another caught hold of one of their muskets and jerked it through the fence." - Horatio Van Cleve, Colonel 2nd Minnesota Infantry

The rain was falling in torrents and our flintlock muskets were in bad condition, not one in three would fire ... Mine went off once in the action, and although I wiped the pan and primed a dozen times it would do so no more." - James Cooper, 20th Tennessee Infantry


About the wounded ...

"The (Confederate) wounded left on the field exhibited various dispositions ... Some spoke pitifully, and were thankful for any kind word spoken or any favors shown them while others were more morose, stubborn and independent." - Eastham Tarrant, 1st Kentucky Cavalry U.S.

... and the dead

"There were delicate forms whose beardless faces showed tender years. Some had the horrible frowns of war still upon their features. others lay in calm repose as if they were dreaming of loved ones at home." - Eastham Tarrant, 1st Kentucky Cavalry U.S.

(War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

The Union Line at the Fence

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Kentucky, Pulaski County, Nancy
After the initial contact between the Union and Confederate forces in the foggy half light of the winter morning, Colonel Speed Fry, commanding the 4th Kentucky Infantry (US), pulled his men back to a rail fence on a hill east of the Mill Springs Road. After a brief lull in the battle, during which Confederate General Felix K. Zollicoffer was killed, the fighting was resumed.

As the Union soldiers deployed along the fence, the Confederates regrouped in the ravine. Suddenly, after this quiet interlude, came the fiercest fighting of the battle. The fight at the fence was bloody and at times hand-to-hand. The Confederates tried desperately to push the Yankees off the ridge, but the determined Union soldiers refused to be moved.

"Our boys soon drove them back to the main line and then advanced as Zouaves by lying flat and firing, wheeling on their backs and loading, rising and running forward about ten steps and again dropping and firing. This was kept up until the entire 10th Indiana regiment was driven from the field by our brave Grenada and Duck Hill boys." - James R. Binford, 15th Mississippi CS.

The enemy was advancing with fixed bayonets, but the Minnesota boys came up to them with an Indian yell and such a volley as there was poured upon them for 40 minutes was never before heard, When the enemy gave way for us, we were so close to each other that some of our boys pulled their guns out of their hands. There was nothing but a fence between us." - David Griffin, 2nd Minnesota, U.S.

"... with a shout that would have warmed an Egyptian mummy, we rushed up to the 15th Mississippi with only a fence between us and the enemy and did the best we could with our old flintlocks. Mine went off once in the action and although I wiped the "pan" and primed a dozen times it would do so no more. I had just taken aim and pulled the trigger and was waiting for the hammer to descend, when I felt a "new sensation" across the small of my back; it was like the cut of a knife, and I knew I had been shot ..." - James L. Cooper, 20th Tennessee CS.

"I moved the regiment through the brush and over logs to the place designated, and coming to a fence parallel with my line we hotly engaged the enemy before us and put him to flight with great loss." - W.C. Kise, 10th Indiana US.

Our entire line, putting their guns through the cracks of the fence fired into them with ball and buckshot, and the scene that followed beggared description. The screams and groans, officers cursing and begging, trying to rally their men, I shall never forget the scene ... it almost makes my blood run cold to think of it." - James R. Binford, 15th Mississippi, CS.

We were so close on them that one of the men had his beard and whiskers singed by the fire of one of the muskets; ... another caught hold of one of their muskets and jerked it through the fence. The two stood and fired at each other, their muskets crossing; both fell dead."

(War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Balie Peyton, Jr. (1833-1862)

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Kentucky, Pulaski County, near Nancy
Lieutenant Balie Peyton, Jr.

All battles have their stories of heroism and devotion to duty. All battles have the tragic death of those too young. The story of Balie Peyton, Jr., at Mill Springs is one of those stories. Peyton's story lifts the battle beyond the movement of red and blue lines on a map and brings the human tragedy of war home to all of us.

Balie Peyton, Jr., was from a very prominent political family in Tennessee. His father Balie Peyton, Sr., was a congressman and close friend of Andrew Jackson. He fought in the Mexican War and served with a young George H. Thomas in that war. Peyton, Senior was a strong Unionist and in fact was instrumental in forming the Constitutional Union Party. This party was the compromise party in the election on 1860.

When the Civil war came to Tennessee. Balie Peyton, Jr., joined the Confederate army over his father's objections. Once the two had reconciled their differences, Peyton, Sr., gave his son a sword that had been given to him for his service in the war with Mexico and with this reconciliation young Peyton went off to war.

Balie Peyton, Jr., joined the 20th Tennessee Infantry Regiment and was elected 1st Lieutenant. He began his training at Camp Trousdale at Richland Station, present-day Portland, Tennessee. His regiment moved to Virginia, but the orders were changed and they joined General Felix Zollicoffer's forces at Cumberland Gap. Peyton and the 20th Tennessee saw action at Wildcat Mountain before retreating back to Cumberland Ford and then back into Tennessee. It was from there that Zollicoffer brought his troops to Mill Springs.

On January 19, 1862, the Confederate army left the safety of their encampment on the Cumberland River and moved north to attack the Union army at Logan's Crossroads. The results of this battle would leave the Confederate army shattered. The Federal victory at Mill Springs destroyed the eastern wing of the Confederate defensive line in Kentucky.

During the height of the battle on the east side of the road, as the 15th Mississippi and the 20th Tennessee charged out of the ravine and struggled with the Union defenders arrayed along a rail fence, Lieutenant Balie Peyton, Jr., attempted to rally Company A of the 20th Tennessee and lead them in one more charge at the Union position. He yelled, "Follow me boys!" and ran headlong for the Union soldiers at the top of the rise. His men, worn out from the morning light and dispirited by the unreliability of their flintlock muskets, stayed behind. Peyton, with a saber in one hand and a revolver in the other, attacked the Union soldiers himself. The Yankees shouted for him to surrender, but he refused, firing his revolver into the blue line. Shots rang out. Peyton fell dead, shot through the head.

After the Battle of Mill Springs, General George H. Thomas had the bodies of General Felix Zollicoffer and Balie Peyton, Jr. removed from the field and sent home. At Munfordville, they were placed in metal coffins sent from Louisville by Union General William S. Rosecrans. From Munfordville the bodies were transported in an ambulance to Glasgow and from there to Bowling Green where they were taken by train to Nashville.

After arriving in Nashville on February 2, 1862, the bodies lay in state in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Long lines of people moved past the coffins to pay their respects. Nashville fell to the Union two weeks later, thus Peyton and Zollicoffer would be the only Confederates to lie in state in the Tennessee capitol during the Civil War.

"Lieutenant Balie Peyton was shot by Private Adam Wichet (Wickett), a German, in Company I. Peyton stood exactly in front of the flag, while Company D was on the right and Company I on the left of it. Peyton stood about two rods from our line, firing right oblique into Company I. A bullet from his revolver had just severely wounded Lieutenant (Tenbroeck) Stout. At this moment Lieutenant (Calvin S.) Uline caught a glimpse of him through the smoke, and as his revolver was useless, he ordered Wichet, who stood by, to shoot him. Wichet fired and Peyton breathed his last ..." - Private William S. Wells, Co. I, 2nd Minnesota Regiment (US)

(War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Archaeology and the Mill Springs Battlefield

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Kentucky, Pulaski County, near Nancy
For several years the Mill Springs Battlefield Association, with the help of professional archeologists, has located and mapped artifacts on the battlefield. The type of artifact, their placement, and density is used to determine the units present during the battle and their movements. Heavy concentrations of spent bullets, for example, indicate where the heaviest fighting took place, Uniform buttons, the type of ammunition, and other artifacts can help identify the regiment.

The red stakes at the head of the ravine mark the location of artifacts recovered from this portion of the battlefield. The line of stakes going up the hill marks the firing location of the 10th Indiana; the Union regiment firing at that Confederate unit.

Metal Detecting On The Battlefield Is Forbidden. Locating artifacts with metal detectors is a powerful tool in uncovering information about the battlefield. But its usefulness relies on proper use. All metal detecting on the battlefield is conducted under very controlled conditions and is undertaken only with the supervision of a professional archaeologist. Please help protect the archaeological resources of the Mill Springs Battlefield. Report all unauthorized metal detecting.

(War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

The Ravine

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Kentucky, Pulaski County, near Nancy

Colonel Speed Fry (photo inset)

For much of the battle the Union defense line was behind a rail fence at the top of the hill. Colonel Speed Fry of the Union 4th Kentucky said that his men there came "under a galling fire from the enemy, who were concealed in a deep ravine at the foot of the hill and posted on the opposite hill, distant about 250 yards."

"We Fell a Man to the Minute"

The 15th Mississippi was the first Confederate regiment to engage the Federal soldiers posted on the Mill Springs road. The Mississippians tried to flush the Union forces by moving down the hill behind you. When they came to the ravine in front of you, they were not able to cross because of its steepness. There were considerable delays in getting the 15th Mississippi to the other side. This allowed the Union force to take up position behind the rail fence at the top of the hill in front of you.

The Mississippians charged forward "with bayonets fixed and their large cane-knives unsheathed."Union gunfire dropped many of them. "We fell a man to the minute" according to one Mississippi soldier. Another wrote later that, "Some of the best blood in the south went down." Union artillery opened fire on the Mississippians. One officer remembered, "The enemy ran out pieces of artillery almost directly opposite to our center ... I called, 'Look out boys.' And threw myself, first on the ground. I had scarcely hit the ground before a charge of grape shot came whizzing through our ranks and seemed to almost lift Company D off the ground. Several men were killed and wounded by that fire. As I lay on the ground, a man fell across each arm." The Mississippi regiment stopped for a while, but pressed on toward the top of the hill when Union men appeared to fall back away from the fence. The 20th Tennessee came to the support of the 15th Mississippi.

The ravine both protected the Mississippi soldiers and trapped them. When they were forced to retreat they found getting out of the ravine as difficult as getting into it. Some of the hardest fighting of the Battle of Mill Springs took place through this ravine. Archaeological excavations turned up sixty fired bullets in the area of this marker, evidence of the rain of bullets that fell here during the fighting.

(War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Staley Cottage

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Georgia, Stephens County, Toccoa

Shortly after her move to Toccoa Falls, Sarah Staley, a retired New York City principal, began construction on a white clapboard house that she believed would become her residence. However, God had another purpose in mind for the house and for the life of Sarah A. Staley. After retirement, Sarah had moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where she lived near Richard Forrest's former college roommate William McDuffie and his wife Lillian. Richard and William had worked for Miss Staley during their days as students as The Bible Training Institute (Nyack College) in Nyack, New York. Sarah hired both young men to do house chores at her Nyack home.

When she heard Richard and Evelyn Forrest were starting a school in the foothills of northeast Georgia, Sarah's interest was stirred, and she made it clear that she wanted to return to the classroom. Her decision to join the Forrests in their endeavor proved to be God inspired. She moved to Toccoa Falls the same day the Forrests arrived in Toccoa and worked right alongside them cleaning and preparing the inn for the student that would soon arrive from Golden Valley, North Carolina. Once classes were underway, Sarah began construction on her own house on the hill overlooking Haddock Inn. The view from this knoll was and remains spectacular.

Tragery struck on May 7, 1913. Sarah Staley was on her way to Haddock Inn to teach a class when she noticed the inn's roof was on fire. She immediately went into shock. After gaining her composure, she hurried down the hill to warn the others, but it was too late. While everyone escaped without injury, within 45 minutes Haddock Inn lay in smoldering ruins. At the time of the fire, Rev. Forrest was in Miami, Florida, on business. When he returned home, several members of the faculty expressed serious concern about containing, but Sarah's faith was not shaken. When he asked her what they should do, Sarah looked at Richard dead in the eyes and said, "We'll go on. We can't stop. The Lord has called us to do this work. There's my house up on the hill. Use it any way you like." Richard took her up on the offer, and the Staley Cottage became the headquarters for Toccoa Falls Institute.

Sarah continued to teach at the college until her death on January 13, 1917. Before she died, Sarah Staley transferred ownership of her home to Dr. and Mrs. Forrest and to Toccoa Falls College. This is when her home became known as Forrest Cottage. It later became the home of Kelly and Alice Barnes. Sarah's grave in Atlanta, Georgia, bears this inscription: "Sarah A. Staley, October 7, 1844-January 13, 1917. Beloved Toccoa Falls College teacher and friend. She trusted God and gained the eternal victory!"

This historical marker is placed in honor of the Centennial Celebration 1907-2007. Donated in memory of Sarah Staley by Patrica McGarvey (1978).

(Notable Buildings) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Jules Simoneau Plaza

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California, Monterey County, Monterey
Jules Simoneau
June 1819 – August 1908

Robert Louis Stevenson inscribed this message in the frontpiece of his book “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – but the case of Robert Louis Stevenson and Jules Simoneau, if the one forgot the other, would be stranger still.”

Jules Simoneau, a French immigrant, came to Monterey in the 1870’s and operated a restaurant on this site. The restaurant was frequented by Robert Louis Stevenson in the fall of 1876. During his stay in Monterey, Stevenson made many descriptive notes which later appeared in is tales. When he fell ill it was Jules Simoneau who nursed him back to health. Stevenson’s gratitude and affection for his friend was later shown by sending him copies of the first American editions of his books with an affectionate note and signature in each. These books and his letters to Simoneau are now in the rare books and special collections section of the University of California Library at Berkeley. This plaza was first dedicated on May 17, 1967.

(Notable Persons) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Judge John S. Callicutt

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Texas, Navarro County, Corsicana
John Spencer Callicutt moved to Corsicana in 1886 and opened his law practice. As an active member of the community, Callicutt served on the founding board of the county hospital, as well as the boards of Central State Bank and other businesses. A member of the First Methodist Church, he was active in Masonic activities, including work with handicapped children. In 1935 he was appointed district judge by Governor Miriam A. Ferguson. Married to the former Evelina Jack, he was the father of seven children. He and his wife are buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

(Notable Persons) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Haddock Inn

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Georgia, Stephens County, Toccoa

The first school Richard and Evelyn Forrest helped to start was in Golden Valley, North Carolina in 1907. However, the location was 17 miles away from the nearest railroad stop, and the roads between it and the school were at times nearly impossible. The Forrests decided to move the school to an area that was more accessible. Their friendship with famed Southern Railway engineer and former Toccoan David Fant provided the right solution. On his daily run between South Carolina and Atlanta, Fant heard that Toccoa businessman E.P. Simpson was planning to sell a rambling mountain inn he owned located near the base of the 186-foot high Toccoa Falls. The asking price of $25,000 was an amount Richard and Evelyn Forrest did not have.

Still, on January 1, 1911, Richard Forrest boarded a train in Atlanta and headed to Toccoa where he saw Haddock Inn for the first time. He immediately knew this was the place God had for the school. The inn, which was once a popular summer resort, had 58 rooms that included a fully operational kitchen, furnished bedrooms, and bathrooms with hot and cold water. Two 750-foot verandas circled the structure. Electricity was supplied by a nearby power plant with water diverted from Toccoa Falls. It was an ideal setting, but there was a problem: Richard Forrest only had $10 in his pocket for a down payment.

"I'll pay you $10," he told E.P. Simpson, "and the Lord and I will owe you the rest - $24,990."

"I can trust the Lord," Simpson responded as he took the $10 bill. In October of that year, the first classes were held in Haddock Inn. Two years later, on March 7, 1913, tragedy struck. The inn burned to the ground in an early morning fire. Very little was saved. However, God gave them a promise: "Beauty for ashes" (Isaiah 61:3). Today, Toccoa Falls College remains a testimony to God, to His promise, and to the faith of Richard and Evelyn Forrest.

(Notable Buildings) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

The Resistance

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Georgia, Chatham County, Pooler
In Memory of the men and woman
of the Resistance who risked
their lives to come to the aid
of the Allied Airmen 1942-45


We Will Never Forget
Air Force Escape & Evasion Society

(War, World II) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage

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Ohio, Scioto County, Portsmouth


Twilight
This mural shows a modern-day twilight scene of downtown Portsmouth as seen from Kentucky, featuring the U.S. Grant Bridge connecting with Chillicothe Street. The muses, embracing both ends of the Twilight mural, represent the art and history included in the floodwall murals, which have been painted by internationally famous muralist Robert Dafford of Lafayette, Louisiana. The bridge was razed in 2002 and will be replaced by a modern-structured U.S. Grant suspension bridge to be completed in 2005.

The Dedication Panel
The dedication panel message reflects the sentiments of the Board of Trustees of Portsmouth Murals, Inc. at the time the Floodwall Mural Project was dedicated on October 5, 2002.

[Dedication Mural reads]
With appreciation to the individuals, companies and organizations who contributed their time and resources to this floodwall mural project and with fond admiration of the artistic brilliance of Robert Dafford and his associates, we hereby dedicate these murals to the citizens who were and are a part of the history of Portsmouth, Ohio, and the surrounding area.
The Board of Trustees
Portsmouth Murals, Inc.

Muralist Robert Dafford
In October 2002, the Portsmouth community witnessed the completion of a project that took ten years to create. In 1993, Robert Dafford began painting the history of Scioto County and Portsmouth on a massive floodwall that holds back the mighty Ohio River. Using a concrete canvas measuring 20 feet by nearly 1/3 mile, Robert, a native of Lafayette, Louisiana has created the ultimate historic portrait of the Portsmouth area. With the help of local historians, citizens and the use of old photographs, he has given the city a window to its past. To learn more about Robert Dafford, go to www.robertdafford.com

The Floodwall Mural Markers is a project designed and funded by the Portsmouth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Special thanks to the Portsmouth Murals, Inc. Board of Trustees and to the Portsmouth Mural Products, Inc. for the use of their new book. For additional information about the murals or to schedule tours, please contact the Bureau or visit its website www.portsmouthcvb.org

(Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Education • Man-Made Features) Includes location, directions, 7 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Sea Life in These Waters

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California, Marin County, Point Reyes Station
Some of the world’s richest waters exist right off California’s coast. An explosion of life occurs here due to a combination of the sun’s energy, wind, ocean currents, and contours of the sea floor. Microscopic phytoplankton form the base of the food chain, which are fed upon by zooplankton and fishes, providing a feast for seabirds, seals, whales sharks and humans. Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries protect this ocean wilderness through research, education, conservation and stewardship. Sanctuaries balance compatible commercial and recreational activities while protecting these ocean treasures today and for future generations.

NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries manage 14 special marine areas that encompass more than 150,000 square miles of America’s ocean and Great Lakes natural and cultural resources.

(Animals • Environment • Natural Features) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

The Rock Plants

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California, Marin County, Inverness
The wife of a lighthouse keeper once planted a small garden nearby, but with no success. As soon as the carrots sprouted the wind blew them away. Few plants can face up to the ocean’s harsh influences.

On these fogbound, windblown rocks, things a plant needs to survive are in short supply — sun light, soil, and rain. Salt spray and winds can interfere with plant processes and cause excessive drying. Yet some species survive, like the ice plant pictured above and the red alga in front of you.

Please do not pick or disturb the fragile rock plants.



(Environment) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Point Reyes Conglomerate

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California, Marin County, Iverness
The intriguing rock exposure in front of you is part of a formation that caps the highest hills in this area. The Point Reyes Conglomerate is a formation consisting of a sandy matrix embedded with pebbles, cobblestones, and boulders. Geologists estimate that the formation may be over 50 million years old.

Here you can see layers intersecting at different angles (cross bedding), and rounded cavities caused by the erosion of poorly cemented materials. Notice also that in any one layer the larger sand grains which sank first are at the bottom, while the finer ones lie on top (graded bedding)

Please do not chip or pick at the conglomerate.
Leave it intact for others to enjoy.

(Environment) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Common Murres

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California, Marin County, Inverness
On the rocks and ledges just below here you can often spot common murres. For a good view from this height, binoculars are helpful. If conditions are right you may hear the colony “moaning” as they huddle penguin-like on the rocks.

Murres are rapid fliers and skillful divers. They pursue fish underwater by stroking with their wings and steering with their feet. On land they are not so deft. An ornithologist, noting their clumsy landings on the precarious ledges, has named them the “awkward squad.”

(Animals) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
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