Lafayette Tour Marker, Clinton, Connecticut (CT-72)

President James Monroe invited the Marquis de Lafayette to visit the United States, his adopted country. Lafayette’s tour of all 24 states in 1824 and 1825 drew large crowds and sparked a renewal of patriotism. During the American Revolution, Lafayette’s intense advocacy of the American cause convinced King Louis XVI of France to send troops and ships, which proved crucial to the American victory at Yorktown. 

On August 21, 1824, Lafayette traveled along Connecticut’s coast, stopping in towns including Bridgeport, Guilford, and Killingworth (now Clinton). His stop in Killingworth was brief—likely 30 minutes to an hour, typical of smaller towns on his route. He was greeted by enthusiastic crowds and Revolutionary War veterans, reflecting the deep admiration locals held for him. That evening, Lafayette arrived in Saybrook, Connecticut, where he spent the night before continuing toward Boston.

Learn about Revolutionary War Combat Strategy. Watch the Revolutionary War Animated Map. For a summary, read An Overview of the American Revolution.