The original U.S. Grant Bridge was built in 1927, demolished in 2001. The new U.S. Grant Bridge construction began in 2001 and was completed in 2006. Several Scioto County citizens attending the event were present at both the 1927 Grand Opening and the 2006 Grand Opening.
Photographs of the Portsmouth High School Building built in 1912, razed in 2007 to make room for the athletic complex built on the property. The new high school building is located across Waller Street facing Gallia Street.
June 2009 The Ohio Library Council promoted a "Save Our Libraries" campaign encouraging citizens to rally and support their local libraries due to proposed budget cuts on public libraries in the state of Ohio.
The 2002 Winter Olympic Torch passed through Portsmouth, December 18, 2001, as it traveled a leg for the relay from Louisville, KY-Cincinnati, OH-Huntington WV-Charleston WV. The Torch covered 13,500 miles to its eventual end in Salt Lake City, UT and was carried by 12,012 Torchbearers. Three Scioto County residents were chosen to be Torchbearers through Portsmouth: Chris Lowery, Deanna Adams & Marcia Sanderlin. The Torch passed through 46 of 50 U.S. states.
