Lafayette, Madison County, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lafayette, Ohio
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Looking westbound on U.S. Route 40 in Lafayette
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 Lafayette, Madison County, Ohio
Location in Ohio
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| Counties | Madison |
| Elevation | 1,014 ft (309 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 206 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
43140
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| Area code(s) | 740 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2628913 |
Lafayette is a small community in Madison County, Ohio, in the United States. It's known as a census-designated place, which means it's a special area identified by the government for counting people. However, it's not officially a city or town with its own local government. Lafayette is located along a historic road called U.S. Route 40, which was once a very important route for travel across the country. In 2020, about 206 people lived here.
Contents
A Look Back at Lafayette's History
Lafayette has an interesting past, especially how it came to be. Before Lafayette, there was another small community nearby called Lawrenceville.
The Story of Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville was started in 1816 by Thomas Gwynne. It was about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northwest of where Lafayette is today. In its early days, Lawrenceville had a tavern, which was a place for travelers to eat and stay. A post office was also set up there in 1825.
However, things changed when the National Road was built between 1836 and 1837. This important road, which helped people travel across the country, did not pass through Lawrenceville. Because of this, Lawrenceville quickly started to disappear. By 1915, there was almost nothing left of the original community.
How Lafayette Began
Lafayette was officially started on October 1, 1834, by William Minter. It was named in honor of Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, a famous French general who helped the United States during the American Revolutionary War.
As Lawrenceville faded, Lafayette grew. On December 31, 1836, the post office from Lawrenceville was moved to Lafayette and renamed the Lafayette Post Office. John Minter became its first postmaster.
By 1875, Lafayette had a few important businesses. These included a drug store, a general store (which sold dry goods and groceries), and a blacksmith shop. A blacksmith was someone who made and repaired things out of metal, like tools and horseshoes.
The Lafayette Post Office eventually closed on December 31, 1905. After that, people in Lafayette received their mail through the London post office. Even in 1915, Lafayette still had three general stores and a blacksmith shop, showing it remained a small but active community.
The Red Brick Tavern
Lafayette is also home to a special place called the Red Brick Tavern. This historic building is one of only 11 properties in Madison County, Ohio that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
Population Over Time
The number of people living in Lafayette has changed over the years.
- In 1875, the population was 160 people.
- By 1915, it had decreased to 75 people.
- At the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 202.
- Most recently, in the 2020 census, 206 people lived in Lafayette.
See also
In Spanish: Lafayette (condado de Madison) para niños
