Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People, Site

Location

4839 NY-175, Syracuse, NY 13215, USA

Lat/Long

43.005152347477, -76.181295122634

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.

In June of 1825, General Lafayette was moving east across Central New York and passed through Marcellus and Onondaga Hill on his way to Syracuse. On June 9^th, he was met in Marcellus by the Committee of Arrangements from Syracuse, as well as a company of cavalry commanded by Lieutenant Toogood. They escorted him along Seneca Turnpike to the Onondaga Hill area, where they stopped at the county courthouse, arriving around half past 4pm. The Onondaga Courthouse was the counties first courthouse, built in 1804 on Onondaga Hill, and replaced in 1830 by another courthouse built in the city of Syracuse.

At the courthouse, Lafayette was introduced to many ladies and gentlemen, and addressed by General Thaddeus M. Wood, who was a local resident and a veteran of the war of 1812. Wood was also one of the earliest attorneys in the Onondaga Valley area, and became a major landowner in Liverpool, Syracuse, Manlius, Salina, and the Onondaga Valley. Following his speech to welcome Lafayette, the Frenchman made a reply, and then the group proceeded on towards Syracuse, passing through the Onondaga Valley village twice before moving north to the city, where they arrived at about half past 6pm.