Portsmouth in Scioto County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Progress in Education
⎯⎯⎯
Shawnee State Expansion
⎯⎯⎯
Vern Riffe

Floodwall Murals, 2000 Feet of History/2000 Feet of Art

Photographed by Craig Doda, January 7, 2021

1. Progress in Education / Shawnee State Expansion / Vern Riffe Marker

Inscription. Progress in Education The mural depicts every phase of growth in education in the Portsmouth Area. Here we see the steady progress from one room schoolhouses and the various elementary and high schools to the establishment of Shawnee State University. Examples of various school buildings in the area are shown as well as examples of changes in clothing, activities and specialized education that have occurred over the years. The first graduating class of Portsmouth High School was in 1860, with five students graduating. The next graduating class was in 1867, with five more students graduating. By 1900, the city had twelve school buildings.

Shawnee State Expansion This mural represents the elevation of Shawnee State from a two-year community college to a four-year university. Higher education was first offered in Portsmouth in 1945 through extension classes from Ohio University, Athens. In 1974, Ohio University Portsmouth merged with Scioto Technical College to form Shawnee State General and Technical College. Legislature changed its name to Shawnee State Community College in 1977. After considerable growth

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in student enrollment and the addition of several new buildings Shawnee State University emerged in 1986.

Vern Riffe Vernal G. Riffe Jr. (considered by many citizens the benefactor of Shawnee State University) believed that students from southern Ohio deserved an opportunity to further their education close to home. The creation of Shawnee State University is the result of his vision. Vem Riffe was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1958. He served in the house for 36 years with a record-breaking 20 years as Speaker of the House. (Marker Number 11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Ohio, Portsmouth, Floodwall Murals series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 38° 43.852′ N, 83° 0.324′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Ohio, in Scioto County. It is at the intersection of Front Street and Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling west on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Jefferson St, Portsmouth OH 45662, United

Photographed by Craig Doda, January 7, 2021

2. Progress in Education / Shawnee State Expansion / Vern Riffe Marker

States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chillicothe Street, 1940's / Steel Industry, 1870-1980 / Clarence Holbrook Carter / Carl Ackerman (within shouting distance of this marker); Portsmouth Railroads, 1950's / Modern Industry / Medical History / Twentieth Century Wars (within shouting distance of this marker); Roy Rogers / 1937 Flood / Branch Rickey / Kentucky Friends (within shouting distance of this marker); A Struggle To Be Free (within shouting distance of this marker); Portsmouth Motorcycle Club / Good Times Remembered / Sunset at the Point / Sister Cities (about 400 feet away); Twilight / Dedication Panel / Muralist Robert Dafford

Progress in Education mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, January 7, 2021

3. Progress in Education mural

(about 500 feet away); Millbrook Park / The Shoe Industry, 1869-1977 / Early 1900's Streetcar / Government Square, 1919 (about 500 feet away); Julia Marlowe / Portsmouth Shoe-Steels / The Portsmouth Spartans / The Greyhound Bus Station, 1941 (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Other markers no longer nearby. Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with

Shawnee State Expansion and Vern Riffle murals image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, January 7, 2021

4. Shawnee State Expansion and Vern Riffle murals

another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Shawnee State Expansion mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, January 7, 2021

5. Shawnee State Expansion mural

Photographed by Craig Doda, January 7, 2021

6. Shawnee State Expansion mural

Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 489 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 4, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Progress in Education⎯⎯⎯Shawnee State Expansion⎯⎯⎯Vern Riffe

Floodwall Murals, 2000 Feet of History/2000 Feet of Art

Progress in Education
⎯⎯⎯
Shawnee State Expansion
⎯⎯⎯
Vern Riffe