Hometown Tourism: Lafayette, Indiana, Part 1

In my Hometown Tourism series, I like to highlight tourist attractions right in our own backyards! I have written a few blog posts about what to do in Plymouth, Indiana, which is where I grew up. Today, I will showcase what you can do in Lafayette, Indiana, which is where I currently live. I lived in Lafayette for over two years, moved to Indianapolis for over a year, and then moved back to Lafayette due to job and relationship changes. I absolutely love living in Lafayette, and I am so glad I am back! In total, I have been living in Lafayette, Indiana for over 3 years.

Today, I will write about the historical parts of town. First off is Fort Ouiatenon, which is technically in West Lafayette, Indiana. The two cities are so close together that the area they take up is widely known as the Greater Lafayette area. The fort’s name is hard to pronounce, but it’s not hard to find. It covers a small area near the Wabash River. The French built the fort in 1717 and used it as a fur trading post. One website says it was the first fortified European settlement in Indiana while another website says it was one of the earliest settlements in Indiana. Despite these conflicting statements, it is still a neat site to see. It’s completely free to walk around.

Fort Ouiatenon hosts the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon festival every fall, but I have not had a chance to go. I think I was busy a few times and another time was raining. This past year, 2020, the festival was cancelled due to the pandemic. I am hoping to attend in 2021 if it is safe to do so and if the festival is even held. I believe there are historical reenactments of French fur traders and Native Americans.

Another interesting historical site to see in the Greater Lafayette area is the Tippecanoe Battlefield Museum. Technically in Battle Ground, Indiana, the museum gives the history of the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe, which was between American forces under William Henry Harrison and the Shawnee Indians. The museum is well done, and there is also an 85 foot tall marble obelisk monument near the battlefield. If you enjoy learning history about Native Americans, then you definitely want to check out these two historical places in the Greater Lafayette area!