Portsmouth Mound Park

At the confluence of the Scioto and Ohio Rivers, The Hopewell constructed their most elongate single system of earthworks. From the vicinity of Mound Park in Portsmouth, parallel walls radiated toward the Ohio River and were continued on the Kentucky side of the river, where they led to two geometric enclosures.

Extending 8 miles along the Ohio, the embankments represented 20 miles of the earthwork construction. The one horseshoe Mound, is all that remains of this impressive complex in Ohio. It was one of a pair of horseshoe shaped raised platforms that lay at the heart of this earthwork system. Both platforms measured 80’x70’. Part of the square works in Kentucky is preserved on private land in South Portsmouth. The rest has been destroyed by agricultural and urban development in the 19th. and 20th. centuries.

Directions: From U.S. route 23 go E on Kinneys Lane approximately .75 miles (to 3 blocks past Greenlawn Cemetery), then S on Hutchins Ave. for .3 miles (2 blocks) to Mound Park. From U.S. 52 go N on Hutchins Ave .25 miles (3 blocks) to Mound Park. Curbside parking is available at the park.

Public Use: season and hours: Open daily and it free. Picnic areas, restrooms, game fields. Walking on or in the earthworks is prohibited. Dogs are not allowed in park.

For more information: contact: city of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Oh 45662, 740-354-8807 or Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 509, Portsmouth, OH 45662, 740-353-1116