Vevay in Switzerland County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Dufour House

Historical Site

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 30, 2023

1. Dufour House Marker

Inscription. Built c. 1832 in the Federal style by John Francis DuFour, one of the original Swiss settlers in this area, and wife, Polly Critchfield, niece of Thomas Jefferson's wife, and used for a time as the residence where they entertained friend, Henry Clay. The building later served as a millinery shop and merchandising business owned by Dufour descendants.

Erected by Switzerland County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.

Location. 38° 44.798′ N, 85° 4.066′ W. Marker is in Vevay, Indiana, in Switzerland County. It is at the intersection of Liberty Street and Cheapside Street, on the right when traveling south on Liberty Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 Liberty St, Vevay IN 47043, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Styles and Stories of Vevay's Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); Armstrong Tavern - 1816 (within shouting distance of this marker); Armstrong Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Fire Bells (within shouting distance of this marker);

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

"Bison-tennial" Public Art Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Site - Switzerland County Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Switzerland County World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away); Kessler House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vevay.

Regarding Dufour House. John Francis Dufour was 17 when he and sixteen others, led by his half-brother John James DuFour, left their Swiss village for the United States on January 1, 1801. The group arrived in Norfolk, Va. in May after a 100-day voyage at sea, then traveled across the Alleghany Mountains in wagons to Pittsburgh. From there, they rafted down the Ohio River until they reached the present-day Vevay area in early July. In 1803 he rode to Washington, D.C. on horseback to deliver two kegs of wine – from the colony's first vintage — to President Thomas Jefferson, who then shared it with a Congressional committee. DuFour, who was involved in various businesses in the area, died in 1850.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 30, 2023

2. Dufour House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 480 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 12, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.