Program

Lafayette Trail

Location

Goat Island Rd, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, USA

Lat/Long

43.080915, -79.072913

Grant Recipient

The Lafayette Trail, Inc.

When America declared its independence on July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies were pulled into a conflict with one of the world’s most formidable powers, Great Britain. The colonies’ actions against Great Britain inspired a young French aristocrat and military officer, Marquis de Lafayette, to depart his native France to fight in the American Revolution. Lafayette served as a commander with the Continental Army throughout the war and helped secure French support for the American cause. This support played an integral part in securing American victory during the war.

Celebrated as a hero in the U.S and France, Lafayette eventually returned to his home country. In 1824 Marquis de Lafayette was invited to visit the United States for the first time in 41 years. As an American hero and one of the only surviving commanders from the Revolution, Lafayette’s visit to the U.S. was highly anticipated and met with a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement. Lafayette’s Tour extended from 1824 to 1825. During this time he visited Washington D.C., as well as major cities and small communities across 24 states.

On June 5, 1825, General Lafayette arrived in Niagara Falls and was escorted to nearby Goat Island by its owner, Judge Augustus Porter. Lafayette was said to be mesmerize by the falls, spending 2 hours on the island. Lafayette’s secretary’s remarks during the event were captured and translated in Alan Hoffman’s book, Lafayette in America 1824 and 1825:

We remained for nearly half an hour on the edge of the gulf, contemplating the rapid fall of the water in silence and as if dumbfounded by the sound of its terrible water…whose noise makes itself heard during the calm of the night, they say, for 20 miles.