Marietta in Washington County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lafayette

The Beginning of Tourism in the United States

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 7, 2009

1. Lafayette Marker

Inscription.
Lafayette
Landed at this point, May 25, 1825
——— • • • ——— Returning in 1824 to the young Nation he had greatly assisted during the Revolutionary War, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquess de la Fayette embarked on an unprecedented and triumphal Tour of the United States which lasted 1½ years. In early 1825 he left New Orleans by boat landing at Marietta on May 25, 1825 stopping overnight at the residence of Nahum Ward. From Marietta, Lafayette proceeded to Pittsburgh then overland to Boston where he dedicated and laid the cornerstone of Bunker Hill Monument in Boston on June 17, 1825. Lafayette arrived in France in October 1825 and was received with great honor in the Court of Charles X at Versailles. (See picture in Hotel Lafayette Lobby). Marietta was founded in 1788 and named in honor of the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette (1755-1795).

Erected 1959 by S. Durward Hoag, Innkeeper.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Lafayette’s Farewell Tour series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 25, 1859.

Location. 39° 24.625′

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N, 81° 27.132′ W. Marker is in Marietta, Ohio, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of West Ohio Street and Front Street, on the left when traveling west on West Ohio Street. This historical marker is located in downtown Marietta, Ohio, very near where the Muskingum River empties into the Ohio River. The marker is located along a walkway that extends along the crest of the high banks overlooking the Ohio river and is situated on the eastern edge of a small parking lot that extends along West Ohio Street, between Front Street to the east and Post Street to the west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marietta OH 45750, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 Viceroyalty of New France,

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: S. Durward Hoag (here, next to this marker); Southern Boundary Picketed Point (here, next to this marker); Shipbuilding (a few steps from this marker); Bicentennial Plaza (a few steps from this marker); The Public Landing (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Flood Mark (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ohio River’s Wild Side (within shouting distance of this marker); Marietta’s Historic Corner (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marietta.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 7, 2009

2. Lafayette Marker

View of this historical marker in the left foreground and the Lafayette Hotel in the right background.

Lafayette Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington

3. Lafayette Hotel

View of the southeastern corner of the Lafayette Hotel.

Historical Flood Mark Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington

4. Historical Flood Mark Marker

View of the flood markers, high up on the front outside wall of the Lafayette Hotel in downtown Marietta. The upper marker indicates the crest of the March 1913 flood. The lower that of the January, 1937 flood.

General the Marquis de Lafayette image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, September 5, 2015

5. General the Marquis de Lafayette

This portrait of Lafayette by an unknown American Artist hangs in the Museum of the Historical Society of Maryland in Baltimore.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,294 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 3. submitted on July 12, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4. submitted on July 11, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 5. submitted on November 7, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.