Timeline of Fayetteville, North Carolina facts for kids

Welcome to a timeline of Fayetteville, North Carolina! This page shares important events from the city's past, showing how it grew and changed over time. Fayetteville is a city in the state of North Carolina, USA.

Early History of Fayetteville

• 1780 – The Methodist Church started a church here.
• 1783 – Two smaller towns, Cross Creek and Campbellton, joined together. They became the town of "Fayetteville."
• 1789
  • November 21: North Carolina officially agreed to the U.S. Constitution. This was a big step for the state.
  • The Fayetteville Gazette newspaper began printing.
  • Fayetteville became the capital city of North Carolina. A State House building was constructed.
• 1793 – The Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry was formed. This was a group of local soldiers.
• 1794
  • The state government moved its capital to Raleigh.
  • The Fayetteville Library Society was officially created.
• 1799 – The Fayetteville Seminary, a school, was founded.
• 1820 – The city's population was 3,532 people.
• 1830
  • The Fayetteville Female Society of Industry was started. This group helped women learn skills.
  • The population was 2,868 people.
• 1831 – May 29: A large fire happened in the city.
• 1840 – The population grew to 4,285 people.
• 1845
  • June 6: Another big fire occurred.
  • The Fayetteville Library Institute was founded.
• 1858 – The Fayetteville Gas Company was started. It provided gas for lighting and heating.
• 1865 – March 14: Soldiers from the Union Army took control of Fayetteville during the Civil War.
• 1871 – The Knights of Pythias, a friendly club, was established.
• 1877 – A "state normal school for negroes" was established. This school helped train teachers.
• 1899 – The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce was formed. This group helps local businesses.

Fayetteville in the 1900s

• 1906
  • Thomas Jefferson Powers became the mayor of Fayetteville.
  • The Woman's Club of Fayetteville was founded.
• 1907 – Hannibal Lafayette Godwin became a U.S. representative for North Carolina. He helped make laws in the U.S. Congress.
• 1910 – Congregation Beth Israel, a Jewish community, was established.
• 1915 – The Orange Street School and the Confederate Women's Home were established.
• 1918 – The U.S. military Camp Bragg was built near Fayetteville. This became a very important army base.
• 1921 – The Fayetteville YMCA and the Fayetteville Business & Professional Women's Club were founded.
• 1925
  • A mission of the M.E. Church was established.
  • The Prince Charles Hotel was built.
• 1926 – The Cumberland County Courthouse was built. This is where legal cases are handled.
• 1927 – The Carolina Theater was built. People could watch movies and shows there.
• 1932 – A public library was established, giving people access to books.
• 1935 – The Fayetteville Little Theatre began putting on plays.
• 1939
  • A local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was formed. This group worked for equal rights.
  • WFNC radio began broadcasting news and music.
• 1941 – The Colony Theater opened for movies.
• 1948 – WFLB radio began broadcasting.
• 1951 – The U.S. military XVIII Airborne Corps made its headquarters at nearby Fort Bragg. This is a large army unit.
• 1952 – The U.S. military Psychological Warfare Center was established at nearby Fort Bragg.
• 1953 – A new high school opened in the city.
• 1956 – The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra was established.
• 1960 – February 10: Sit-ins began in Fayetteville as part of the Civil Rights Movement. People protested peacefully for equal rights.
• 1961 – The Industrial Education Center was established. It helped people learn job skills.
• 1969 – Fayetteville State University became active. This is a university where students can get a higher education.
• 1975 – Cross Creek Mall opened for business. It became a popular shopping center.
• 1982 – The Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina was established. This organization helps provide food to people in need.
• 1987 – David Price became a U.S. representative for North Carolina.
• 1988
  • Fayetteville Technical Community College became active.
  • The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex was established. It teaches about local history.
• 1989
  • The Cape Fear Botanical Garden was established. It is a beautiful place to see plants.
  • Monarch Stadium (Methodist) opened.

Fayetteville in the 2000s

• 2000 – The city's official website went online.
• 2001 – Marshall Pitts Jr. became the mayor of Fayetteville.
• 2005 – Tony Chavonne became mayor.
• 2010 – The city's population reached 200,564 people.
• 2013 – Nat Robertson became mayor.
• 2017 – Mitch Colvin became mayor.