Lafayette, County seat in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
Lafayette is the administrative seat of Tippecanoe County in western Indiana, located on the east bank of the Wabash River. The city spreads across several hills and contains residential areas, commercial zones, and public facilities connected by a network of streets.
The city was founded in the 1820s and named after the French general who supported the American Revolution. In 1853, it gained status as a self-governing municipality and grew into a regional center.
The city takes its name from French general Marquis de Lafayette, reflecting early transatlantic connections in the region. Many streets in the older downtown core still follow the original 19th-century grid pattern.
The Wabash River runs along the western edge and can help with orientation, as it marks the boundary with West Lafayette. Most public buildings are in the central area, while residential neighborhoods fan out in all directions.
The river divides two separate municipalities with their own governments, though they are often perceived as a single area. This division means that some services and planning must be coordinated across the water.
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