Portland in West Louisville has a colorful history that many people have forgotten. However, with the 250th Anniversary of the United States and the Bicentennial of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Portland on May 11, 1825, approaching, historical milestones are being remembered and celebrated.
Lafayette was a great American patriot who contributed to our freedom. He was born in France as the son of a rich aristocrat and was a known academic interested in human rights and individual freedoms. He was also looking for adventure and wanted to “make a difference” for the common man. Lafayette became interested in the American Revolution and the potential to have a country that could develop the freedoms that he envisioned. He came to America at the most critical time in American history. He offered his assistance at the age of twenty at his own expense in July 1777. He contributed significant funds to help supply the patriot army and developed a lasting friendship as an adviser to George Washington. He was also appointed a major general in the Continental Army. In the Battle of Brandywine, he was wounded while in command of his unit. During his recovery he returned to France and convinced the French King to support America with money, ships, and troops.
Lafayette returned to his command and fought at Yorktown, the last major battle of Revolutionary War. After the British surrender he provided advice to Washinton, Jefferson, Monroe, and others to form the government and Constitution. He was a determined abolitionist against slavery and lectured Washington and Jefferson about eliminating slavery. Lafyette returned to France to continue in politics and helped create the French tricolor, red-white and blue flag as a reminder of the colors of the American flag. However, he was fearful of the French Revolution and left before being arrested and beheaded but was still held as a prisoner in Austria. He was finally released but gradually lost political influence and public respect. His contributions had been forgotten.
However, Lafayette’s contributions to American were not forgotten. In 1824 he was invited by President Monroe to visit the US and tour the original Colonies and all twenty-four states at that time. When touring he was swamped by public adoration everywhere he went. 123,000 people met his boat in New York (65% of the city population at that time). Lafayette toured the country, went to New Orleans, traveled up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. During the trip up the Ohio his boat sank. Luckily, he survived. On another boat, he came upstream to the Falls of the Ohio and arrived in Portland, Kentucky on May 11, 1825. He was greeted by over three thousand people at the Portland Wharf. After welcomes and speeches he went to downtown Louisville and Jeffersonville before traveling on to Lexington and beyond. He completed his tour in September 1825.
On May 10, 2025, at 11:30 the visit of the Marquis de Lafayette will be celebrated with a monument dedication at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 3525 Rudd Avenue, Louisville Kentucky 40212 in Portland. Lafayette’s contribution and visit has not been forgotten.
