Lafayette Tour Marker, Onondago, New York (NY-206)

The Lafayette Tour Marker - Onondaga, NY

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 renewed 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. 

In June 1825, General Lafayette moved east across Central New York and passed through Marcellus and Onondaga Hill on his way to Syracuse. On June 9th, the Committee of Arrangements from Syracuse met him in Marcellus, along with a company of cavalry commanded by Lieutenant Toogood. He arrived at approximately 4:30 am while traveling eastward from Skaneateles. Following an address by General Wood, Lafayette resumed his journey eastward to Syracuse. They escorted him along Seneca Turnpike to the Onondaga Hill area, where they stopped at the county courthouse, where General Thaddeus M. Wood, a War of 1812 veteran, welcomed him.

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