Central Business District in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Lafayette Square

Place Lafayette

Photographed By R. E. Smith, March 1, 2008

1. Lafayette Square Marker

Inscription. (Obverse) Planned in 1788 as a public place for Faubourg Ste. Marie, the City's first suburb, this Square honors American Revolutionary War Hero, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. He declined the invitation to become the first Governor when the United States purchased Louisiana. During his April 9-15, 1825, visit to the City of New Orleans, his popularity was evidenced by resounding cheers of "Vive Lafayette, Vive Lafayette!"

(Reverse) Conçue en 1788 comme place publique du Faubourg Sainte-Marie qui fut la premiére banlieue de La Nouvelle-Orléans, cette place commémore Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, héros de la Guerre d'indépendance Américaine. Lafayette déclina l'offre qui lui était faite de devenir le premier gouverneur au moment de l'achat de la Louisiane par les Etats-Unis. Entre le 9 et 15 avril 1825, Lafayette visita La Nouvelle-Orléans et fut chaleureusment accueilli.

Erected 1985 by France-Amérique de la Louisiane.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1853.

Location. 29° 56.91′ N, 90° 4.245′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in

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Orleans Parish. It is in the Central Business District. Marker is on St. Charles Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Orleans LA 70130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kossuth (a few steps from this marker); Lambert-Gallier Inn of Court (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 616 Girod Street (about 500 feet away); Site of the St. Charles Theaters (about 500 feet away); Saint Patrick's Church (about 700 feet away); St. Patrick's Church (about 700 feet away); St. Patrick's (about 700 feet away); Le Pavillon Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.

Additional keywords. John McDonogh; Henry Clay; Benjamin Franklin.

Photographed By R. E. Smith, March 1, 2008

2. Lafayette Square Marker

Photographed By R. E. Smith, March 1, 2008

3. Lafayette Square Marker

John McDonogh Statue - Lafayette Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, July 14, 2009

4. John McDonogh Statue - Lafayette Square

"from the public school children of New Orleans, 1892-1898"

Henry Clay Statue - Lafayette Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, July 14, 2009

5. Henry Clay Statue - Lafayette Square

"...erected A.D. 1865 on Canal Street...removed to Lafayette Square A.D. 1900."

Benjamin Franklin Statue - Lafayette Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, July 14, 2009

6. Benjamin Franklin Statue - Lafayette Square

"Save while you are young to spend while you are old. One penny saved is better than two pennies earned." Poor Richard's Sayings.
Dedicated to the people of New Orleans by Henry Wadsworth Gustine ... A.D. 1926.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 3,125 times since then and 92 times this year. Last updated on July 19, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 19, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.