LaFayette Fountain, Marble sculpture at Tippecanoe County Courthouse, Lafayette, Indiana, US
The Lafayette Fountain is a marble sculpture in front of the Tippecanoe County Courthouse in Lafayette, Indiana, featuring a figure of Marquis de Lafayette holding a sword. The statue stands alone on a pedestal with inscriptions carved into its base.
The sculpture was created in 1887 by artist Lorado Taft and served as one of his early works after moving to Chicago. The design drew inspiration from another Lafayette statue in New York City, completed with only a photograph as reference.
The name honors Lafayette, a French ally of American independence, and the inscriptions acknowledge important historical figures who shaped the nation. The monument reflects how the community values its connection to early American history.
The sculpture stands at the courthouse grounds in downtown Lafayette and is freely accessible to visitors at any time. A walk through the area lets you see the monument alongside other historical sites in the city center.
The inscriptions on the base honor not only Lafayette but also John Purdue, founder of Purdue University located in the same city. This links the city's educational legacy with its ties to American independence.
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