Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Commemorating the Visit of Lafayette

October 25 1824

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

1. Commemorating the Visit of Lafayette Marker

Inscription. On October 25, 1824, General Lafayette visited Portsmouth during his United States Farewell Tour of 1824/1825 as "Guest of the Nation." At the nearby intersection of High and Crawford streets, a festive city arch was constructed where General Lafayette was greeted by city officials, local militia groups, schoolchildren, and excited townspeople. On June 9, 1890, Portsmouth citizens installed an engraved stone in the sidewalk at this corner commemorating General Lafayette's 1824 visit and the location of the city arch.

In honor of the bicentennial of General Lafayette's Farewell Tour, a new base for the replica stone and a descriptive marker were installed through generous funding from TowneBank, Portsmouth Historical Association, and the Fort Nelson Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
October 25, 2024

(Photo Caption) A portrait print of the Marquis de Lafayette commemorating his Untied States Farewell Tour of 1824-1825. Francis Scott King, Engraver. (Published in 1899) Library of Congress

Erected 2024 by Fort Nelson Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, TowneBank, Portsmouth

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Historical Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is October 25, 1824.

Location. 36° 50.139′ N, 76° 17.885′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Crawford Street and High Street, on the right when traveling south on Crawford Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 High Street, Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

2. Commemorating the Visit of Lafayette Marker

Interpretive Marker Detail

other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Col. William Craford (a few steps from this marker); Crawford House (within shouting distance of this marker); Home Site of William Crawford (d. 1762) Founder of Portsmouth (within shouting distance of this marker); John Luke Porter (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Revolutionary War at Portsmouth (about 400 feet away); Naval Shipyard Museum (about 400 feet away); Cornwallis' Embarkation (about 400 feet away); Seaboard Air Line Railroad (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

More about this marker. The marker stands over the replica sidewalk stone, the text of which forms the title for this marker database entry.

Regarding Commemorating the Visit of Lafayette. The arch referenced in the marker stood only about 60' to the south from the marker's location, on the same corner.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Lafayette Park, two blocks north, features other Lafayette commemoration including an arch recalling the one originally erected at Crawford & High Streets.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

3. Commemorating the Visit of Lafayette Marker

Replica sidewalk stone.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

4. Commemorating the Visit of Lafayette Marker

Context view showing area of marker & replica stone.

1976 Bicentennial Lafayette Arch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

5. 1976 Bicentennial Lafayette Arch

Erected two blocks north in Lafayette Park, this arch is intended as a reference to the city arch installed during Lafayette's 1824 visit at Crawford & High Streets.

1824 Arch Vicinity image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

6. 1824 Arch Vicinity

The Arch was built on the corner of Crawford and High streets, where a 2006 statue of Colonel William Craford (Crawford) now stands, staring across the intersection at the former site of his residence.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 36 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.