Lafayette Tour Marker, Shawneetown, Illinois (IL-81)

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 May 7, 1825, General Lafayette, accompanied by Illinois Governor Edward Coles, was welcomed at Rawlings' Hotel in Old Shawneetown, Illinois, where a celebratory repast was prepared in his honor. His arrival in this frontier town was a momentous occasion for local citizens and dignitaries. Lafayette was honored with a formal meal and public reception at the Rawlings Hotel. Shawneetown was a significant river town in the early 19th century, serving as a gateway to the Illinois frontier.

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