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Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
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Source:  Donaldson's Tavern, Rocky Mount. Photo by Mike Stroud

  • Monument Name

    Donaldson's Tavern, Rocky Mount

  • Type

    Marker

  • Subjects

    Historic Military Figures

    Revolutionary War, 1775-1783

  • City

    Rocky Mount

  • County

    Nash

  • Description

    The Donaldson’s Tavern marker consists of a large square block of unfinished granite with a small, simple bronze tablet holding the inscription and the logo of the Daughters of the American Revolution appearing in the lower left corner.

    Images: Bronze tablet

  • Inscription

    THE SITE OF / DONALDSON’S TAVERN / STAGE COACH STATION FOR THE / OVERLAND TRAIL LIES ON / THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RIVER / HERE LAFAYETTE WAS ENTERTAINED / WHILE ON HIS SOUTHERN TOUR / IN 1825. / ERECTED BY / MICAJAH PETWAY CHAPTER D.A.R. / NOVEMBER 1, 1933

  • Dedication Date

    November 1, 1933

  • Decade

    1930s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.961700 , -77.804900 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      "Lafayette's Visit Commemorated," The News And Observer (Raleigh, NC), November 2, 1933

      Parramore, Thomas C., 2006. “Lafayette’s Visit,” NCpedia.org, (accessed October 13, 2023) Link

      “Donaldson’s Tavern,” The Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed October 6, 2023) Link

      “Lafayette,” The Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed October 10, 2023) Link

      “Will Unveil Marker at Site of Tavern,” The News And Observer (Raleigh, NC), October 25, 1933

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Granite, bronze

  • Sponsors

    Micajah Petway Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

  • Subject Notes

    Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, served as a major-general under George Washington in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. He later was a leader of the Garde nationale during the French Revolution. In 1824 and 1825 at age 68 as an official guest of the United States he had planned to visit the northern and middle Atlantic states. Under pressure from southern legislatures and governors he agreed in 1825 to a 5,000 mile tour of the southern states. Communication and roads were so poor that Lafayette’s entourage had entered North Carolina before Raleigh had been given notice of his trip. From that point word spread quickly and huge crowds greeted Lafayette at each of his stops in the state.

  • Location

    The historical marker is located at 1477 Falls Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

  • Landscape

    The marker stands in a park that runs along the Tar River.

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