Fayetteville, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fayetteville, West Virginia
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Court Street in downtown Fayetteville
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Location of Fayetteville in Fayette County, West Virginia.
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| Country | United States | ||||
| State | West Virginia | ||||
| County | Fayette | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 5.58 sq mi (14.46 km2) | ||||
| • Land | 5.57 sq mi (14.43 km2) | ||||
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) | ||||
| Elevation | 1,818 ft (554 m) | ||||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,887 | ||||
| • Density | 517.4/sq mi (199.65/km2) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||||
| ZIP code |
25840
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| Area code(s) | 304 | ||||
| FIPS code | 54-27028 | ||||
| GNIS feature ID | 1538910 | ||||
Fayetteville is a small town in West Virginia, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Fayette County. In 2020, about 2,887 people lived there.
Fayetteville is located right next to the amazing New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It is also very close to the huge New River Gorge Bridge. People have noticed how special Fayetteville is. Budget Travel Magazine called it one of the "Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America" in 2006. Later, Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine named it "Best River Town 2013."
Contents
History of Fayetteville
Fayetteville was first started by a farmer named Abraham Vandall. He was a veteran from the American Revolutionary War. He named the new settlement Vandalia after himself.
In 1837, the local government office moved to Vandalia. Later, the town's name was changed to Fayetteville. This was to honor Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero who helped America in the Revolutionary War. He visited the U.S. in 1824–25.
During the American Civil War, Fayetteville was a tricky place. Many people in town supported the Confederacy. But the areas around it mostly supported the Union. Because of this, the town changed hands several times during the war. Some parts of Fayetteville were damaged during the fighting.
In 1897, the beautiful Fayette County Courthouse was finished. It was built on land that Abraham Vandall used to own. The courthouse is known for its special Romanesque Revival style of architecture. The Altamont Hotel was also built that same year. Both of these buildings are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places because they are so important. The whole downtown area, called the Fayetteville Historic District, was recognized in 1990.
Fayetteville grew quickly in the late 1800s. This was mostly because of the coal mining industry. However, coal mining slowed down a lot in the late 1900s. Today, Fayetteville's economy is mostly based on tourism. People visit for exciting outdoor activities. These include whitewater rafting, fishing, mountain biking, and rock climbing.
A very special event happens every year in Fayetteville. It's called "Bridge Day" and takes place on the third Saturday of October. During this event, people can walk across the New River Gorge Bridge. Some even jump or rappel from it!
The New River Gorge Bridge is the longest arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Before it was built, traveling across the gorge took about 45 minutes. Now, thanks to the bridge, it takes only about 45 seconds! The New River itself is one of the oldest major rivers in the world.
Exploring Fayetteville's Geography
Fayetteville is located in a very scenic area. It is less than a mile away from the famous New River Gorge. This gorge is a huge canyon carved by the New River. It's a magnet for people who love outdoor adventures.
The tall, rocky cliffs along the New River Gorge are perfect for rock climbing. The New River offers exciting whitewater rafting and kayaking experiences. There are also many hiking and biking trails to explore. The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is managed by the U.S. National Park Service. They have a visitor center and offer many educational programs about the area.
Population of Fayetteville
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 413 | — | |
| 1910 | 671 | 62.5% | |
| 1920 | 659 | −1.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,143 | 73.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,347 | 17.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,952 | 44.9% | |
| 1960 | 1,848 | −5.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,712 | −7.4% | |
| 1980 | 2,366 | 38.2% | |
| 1990 | 2,182 | −7.8% | |
| 2000 | 2,754 | 26.2% | |
| 2010 | 2,892 | 5.0% | |
| 2020 | 2,887 | −0.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Fayetteville has changed over the years. In 1900, about 413 people lived here. By 2020, the population had grown to 2,887 people.
Notable People from Fayetteville
- Tunney Hunsaker – He was a professional boxer. After his boxing career, he became the police chief in Fayetteville for many years.
See also
In Spanish: Fayetteville (Virginia Occidental) para niños
