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.
Lafayette spent the night in Smithland on May 6, 1825, because his steamboat, the Mechanic, needed ballast added to stabilize it before continuing down the Ohio River. Smithland, located at the confluence of the Cumberland and Ohio Rivers, was a natural place to pause for this work. This historical marker stands at North Court Street and Riverfront Drive in Smithland, close to the riverbank where Lafayette’s steamboat would have been moored.
Learn about Revolutionary War Combat Strategy. Watch the Revolutionary War Animated Map. For a summary, read An Overview of the American Revolution.
What's Nearby
Explore more of The Liberty Trail by visiting these nearby attractions.
Smithland, KY 42081
Shawneetown, IN 62984