About Lafayette IN
Lafayette was founded in 1829 at the confluence of the Wabash River and Tippecanoe Creek. The city’s name is derived from Marquis de Lafayette, a French military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War.Lafayette’s growth was fueled by the arrival of the Wabash and Erie Canal in the 1830s, which connected the city to other parts of the Midwest. In the late 19th century, Lafayette became a major industrial center, producing agricultural machinery, furniture, and other goods.Purdue University was established in 1869 and quickly became a major cultural and educational institution in Lafayette. The university’s agricultural programs helped to make Lafayette a center of agricultural research and development.In the 20th century, Lafayette experienced significant population growth and urban development.
