Raven Rock

Kalanu Native American Cemetery

The Kalanu ("Raven" In Cherokee) Native American Cemetery is the newest mound in the Ohio Valley as it was built on July 19,1987 by the Scioto County Commission and local native peoples, for the return of 47 Ancient Native American bodies returned to Scioto County by the Ohio Historical Society. A bronze plaque has been installed to commemorate this occasion.

Just to the north of the cemetery is Raven Rock Hill. Raven Rock is an early Woodland Indian observation and ceremonial place, now under the jurisdiction of the Stab of Ohio as a State Nature Preserve and is accessible only by permit. This area is named after a Cherokee war leader who fought off Shawnee warriors until he was too weak to fight and leapt to his death to keep from being captured.

Earl Thomas Conley Park
Located on Route 52, West Portsmouth, the Earl Thomas Conley Park is a pleasant public recreation area on the Ohio River owned and operated by the Scioto County Park System. Visitors can enjoy a picnic area with shelter, soccer, tennis, walking path, and more. Local sports teams use the park's spacious fields.

Originally constructed as Riverside Park in 1977, this recreation area is continually upgraded to add more features for the community. The Riverside Park was re-named in honor of the local country singing legend, Earl Thomas Conley, who is famous for his string of 21 hits that topped the country musk charts. Earl Thomas Conley returned for 25 years to raise money for scholarships for local students by hosting annual concerts and golf outings. His scholarships totaled over $200,000 and were greatly appreciated by the community.

Walking Trail to Alexandria Point
Alexandria Point is where the Ohio and Scioto Rivers meet. Take time for a picnic or outdoor lunch at Alexandria Point Park and enjoy the serenity and the view. There is a long-term plan to dedicate a walking trail from Earl Thomas Conley Riverside Park to Alexandria Point utilizing existing Scioto County Right of Way.

Col. Thomas Parker, a Revolutionary War veteran, founded Scioto County's village of Alexandria at the mouth of the Scioto River. Alexandria was the county's first town and, until Portsmouth, was its principal settlement. Scioto County was formed May 1, 1803. That year surveyor Henry Hassle laid out Portsmouth and named the town for Portsmouth, Va., Massie's former home.

Shown here is the actual road constructed of locally quarried sandstone. The steel carriage wheels rode on the stone and the horses walked between the lanes. Notice the grooves worn in the tracks from the steel wheels. Corridor Planning includes clearing the brush from the lane and restoring the stone paving for a walkway. This route was called the Ohio River Road.
 

Ohio River
The Ohio River Scenic Byway is a National Byway and runs in part along the Ohio River on SR 52. Scenic Scioto Heritage Trail follows along the same route for several miles.

Of great significance in the history of the United States dating from the time of the Native Americans, the Ohio River was a primary transportation mute during the westward expansion of the early United States.

Link to: Ohio River Scenic Byway