Historic Sites

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Few places in America have played such a formative role in our country's most defining moments as Fayetteville. From its original settlement in 1739 by Scottish immigrants through the deployment of troops to Afghanistan and Iraq today, it is here the very seeds of American freedom, democracy and patriotism were planted and continue to grow.

The Fayetteville area has played key roles during defining moments in America's history. Out of the dozens of U.S. cities and counties named after the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette, Fayetteville, NC was the first, and it is told, the only one he actually visited. It was here the Liberty Point Resolve of 1775 pledged local support for the Revolutionary War. After the Revolution, the North Carolina legislature periodically met in Fayetteville. In 1789, the legislature ratified the U.S. Constitution here. During the Civil War the city found itself in the path of General Sherman's Union troops who burned the N.C. Arsenal, a munitions center for the Confederacy.

Today, the Fayetteville area stands testament to its proud past. Many structures have been painstakingly preserved in four designated historic districts: Downtown Historic District, Haymount Historic District, Liberty Point National Register District and Market House Square National Register District.

	1897 Poe House - This is the home of Edgar Allen Poe, the successful Fayetteville brickyard owner, not the writer. Mr. Poe owned a brickyard and supplied bricks to build a number of Fayetteville buildings, some still standing today. Ironically, while Mr. Poe made his living from bricks, his home is made of wood. The home was built in 1897 and exhibits eastlake detailing, exterior sawnwork, tongue-and-groove wainscoting and bullseye molding throughout the interior. Since this home is typical for a middle class American family during the period, there is a lot to learn about life at this time through a tour of the home and its contents. 206 Bradford Avenue 910-486-1330
	Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot - The Atlantic Coast Line came to Fayetteville in 1892, and by the turn of the twentieth century the town was included in main north-south passenger and freight service. 472 Hay Street 910-483-2658
	Averasboro Battlefield Complex - Relive the Civil War Battle of Averasboro (March 15-16, 1865) as you visit the Battlefield museum, battle grounds, and Confederate cemetery. Also learn about the Smith's, the family that owned and lived on the 8,000 acre plantation and evacuated as the battle ensued, whose plantation homes still stand. 3300 Highway 82 South 910-891-5019
	Baker - Haigh - Nimocks House at Heritage Square - The Baker-Haigh-Nimocks house, with a circular staircase, was probably built by New England sailors around 1804. 225 Dick Street 910-484-3977
	Barges Tavern - According to local tradition, this small circa 1800 house was once the ordinary or "spirits" room of a hotel, which stood at the northeast corner of James Square. The building has been moved twice since its location there. It features a central chimney, which was prevalent in Fayetteville during the late 18th and early 19 centuries. 519 Ramsey Street 1-800-255-8217
	Belden Horne House - Originally located on Green Street, the Belden-Horne House was built by Simeon Belden after the disastrous fire of May 1831 destroyed his earlier home. 519 Ramsey Street 1-800-255-8217
	Charles Rose House - The circa 1911, early 20th century colonial revival style house was built by Charles G. Rose, a local attorney honored with the highest office in the civic, political, and church life in the community and was referred to as "Fayetteville's First Citizen." 215 Hillside Avenue 1-800-255-8217
	Colonel Arthur "Bull" Simon Statue - Statue dedicated to a heroic special forces soldier that went above and beyond the call of duty throughout his long military career. One of many great American heroes, Colonel "Bull" Simon, not once but twice, helped save U.S. military personnel from peril. Ardennes & Marion Streets 1-800-255-8217
	Colton-Clark-Monaghan House - This house was built in about 1835 for the Reverend Simeon Colton, the first principal of Donaldson Academy. A later owner, Edward Lee Clark, added upstairs rooms and a wrap around Victorian porch with corner gazebo. 113 Hillside Avenue 1-800-255-8217
	Cool Spring - The spring served as a public water source from the late eighteenth century until the early twentieth century. North Cool Spring Street at the Cross Creek 1-800-255-8217
	Cool Springs Tavern - Having survived the 1831 fire, it is believed to be the oldest existing structure in the city. It was named so because of its proximity to the spring of that name. In 1789, the tavern housed the state delegates that were in town for the state convention to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The building is designed in the Federal style. 119 North Cool Spring Street 910-433-1612
	Cross Creek Cemetery - The oldest public cemetery in Fayetteville, containing over 1,100 grave markers in the burial ground of many of the early settlers and locally significant persons in Fayetteville's history. This cemetery contains graves of veteran from he Revolutionary War all the way through the Spanish-American War. The first Confederate Monument in North Carolina stands in the military area within the grounds, erected in 1868. The money to build the monument was raised by local women that sold shares to make a quilt. The quilt was sold for $300, enough to create the monument. The quilt was eventually given to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. North Cool Spring and Grove Streets 1-800-255-8217
	Cumberland County Old Courthouse - An operational courthouse, the first floor displays a number of historical documents, pictures, and memorabilia regarding the Fayetteville area. Franklin, Gillespie, and Russell Streets 910-483-8613
	Dr. A.S. Rose House - This circa 1923 Colonial Revival house was built by Dr. A.S. Rose, uncle of Charles G. Rose. The locally prominent Rose family occupied a number of homes of Hillside Avenue as part of the beautiful Haymount area. 218 Hillside Avenue 1-800-255-8217
	Dr. John A. MacKethan House - This home was built by physician John A. Mac Kethan in 1908, who lived in the house until at least 1916. 120 North Cool Spring Street 1-800-255-8217
	E.E. Smith Monument (at Fayetteville State University) - Dr. E.E (Ezekiel Ezra) Smith, a respected African American educator, headed Fayetteville State University for an impressive 50 years. In fact, Smith gave some of his own land to build some of FSU's first buildings. He also served as an ambassador to Liberia and as the adjutant of the 3rd NC regiment during the Spanish-American War. Other notable accomplishments include founding North Carolina's first black newspaper and serving as a Baptist Minister for the black First Baptist Church. 1200 Murchison Road 1-800-255-8217
	Edward J. Hale House Civil War Trails Marker - The circa 1847 dwelling was the antebellum home of Edward J. Hale. In 1825, Hale bought the Carolina Observer and changed the name to Fayetteville Observer. 630 Hay Street 1-800-255-8217
	Ellerslie Building - Ellerslie is a coastal cottage built in about 1790 by George Elliot. Elliot Bridge Road 1-800-255-8217
	Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks was built in 1858 and included an octagonal summerhouse, the old kitchen, servants' quarters, smokehouse, and school house. The house incorporates a Georgian plan with Greek Revival and Italianate elements. Surrounding the house is the original cast iron fence with a beautifully designed gate. During General Sherman's occupation of Fayetteville in 1865, some of the Union troops camped on the grounds of Fair Oaks. A silver tray from the house that was used for target practice by Sherman's troops still remains with the original owner's family today. 1507 Morganton Road 1-800-255-8217
	Fifer's Grave - The old African American fifer Isaac Hammond lies buried here. Hammond became the first fifer in the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry and served 30 years. He also served in the 10th NC Regiment Continental Line during the Revolutionary War, spending the winter at Valley Forge. He became a barber in town and was active in politics even though blacks were not permitted to vote at the time. North Cool Spring Street 1-800-255-8217