Belpre in Washington County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Early Ohio Artists
[Side A:]
Born in Massachusetts in 1805, Sala Bosworth spent all but nineteen years of his eighty-five years in Washington County. After studying at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, he returned to the county to paint many full size and miniature portraits of prominent Washington County citizens. His historical drawings were used in Samuel P. Hildreth's Pioneer History. He is also known for his mural in what is now the Unitarian Universalist Church in Marietta. Bosworth moved to Cincinnati late in life and started to paint with watercolors. He died there in 1890.
Charles Sullivan also studied at the Philadelphia Academy and became a fast friend of Bosworth after coming to Washington County in 1833. While he also painted portraits, he excelled in his landscapes, including views of Blennerhassett Island, the Blennerhassett mansion, and the mounds at Marietta. Sullivan died in Marietta in 1867.
[Side B:]
Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, Marietta Chapter of NSDAR, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 15-84.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Women. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection, and the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1805.
Location. 39° 16.484′ N, 81° 35.842′ W. Marker is in Belpre, Ohio, in Washington County. Marker is about 50 feet southeast of the boat ramp at River Access Park, off Blennerhassett Avenue west of Civitan Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belpre OH 45714, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Blennerhassett’s Cove (approx. 0.2 miles away in West Virginia); Site of First Blennerhassett Island Park (approx. ¼ mile away in West Virginia); Devol's Floating Mill (approx. ¼ mile away); Belpre Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Bathsheba Rouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Paling Fence (approx. ¼ mile away in West Virginia); Fishpond (approx. ¼ mile away in West Virginia); Pleasure Garden (approx. ¼ mile away in West Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belpre.
Also see . . .
1. Sala Bosworth. Ohio History Central website entry (Submitted on June 25, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
2. Charles Sullivan. Ohio History Central website entry (Submitted on February 18, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Lilly Martin Spencer. American Art Gallery website entry (Submitted on February 18, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Lily Martin Spencer
Lilly Martin Spencer was one of the foremost genre painters of the late 19th century during a time called the Golden Age for the apparent material excesses of the upper classes. In addition to her successful career, she bore thirteen children and supported the seven who survived plus her husband with the income from her work.
Her paintings of everyday life, considered sentimental subjects by some viewers, were widely reproduced in engravings and lithographs.
— Submitted June 25, 2009.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,266 times since then and 156 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.