The county is named for the Marquis de Lafayette, Gilbert du Montier (his given name). He was instrumental in helping the colonists defeat the British in the Revolutuinary War, leading American forces to several victories.
The National Road, the first major east-west thoroughfare, runs from Cumberland, MD, through Wheeling, WV, Columbus, OH, Indianapolis and Terre Haute, IN and then through Vandalia (this county's seat) on its journey west.
Vandalia served as the first capital of Illinois from 1819 to 1839. It is located about 70 miles northeast of St Louis. Abraham Lincoln began his political career there.
The population on July 1, 1999, was 22,022, an increase of 1,129 over the 1990 census.
For information on county government, contact the National Association of Counties Web site.
Additional information is available at these pages:
