FAYETTEVILLE: HISTORY, HEROES, AND DOWN-HOME HOSPITALITY

BY: JANET STEINBERG

The sixth-largest city in North Carolina, Fayetteville is located in the Sandhills, on the Cape Fear River. This city of approximately 200,000 people was the first city in America to be named for General LaFayette.  In 1825, Lafayette traveled to Fayetteville in a horse-drawn carriage that is on display at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory & Museum.

The Market House is the focal point of downtown Fayetteville. Originally the site of the State House, this National Landmark was built in 1832 after the big fire of 1831. Architecturally unique in North Carolina, the Market House is one of the few structures in North America to use the town hall scheme found in England.

The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical complex encompasses The Museum, the 1897 Poe House, and Arsenal Park.

The magnificent Cape Fear Botanical Garden sits on 77-acres between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek.  

CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN

Located two miles from downtown, the Garden boasts more than 2000 varieties of ornamental plants and specialty gardens.  Log structures from the 1800s have been moved to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

1800s SMOKE HOUSE AT THE CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN

Cool Springs Tavern, having survived the 1831 fire, is believed to be the oldest existing structure in Fayetteville.  Designed in the Federal style, the building was so named because of its proximity to a 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 Fayetteville area boasts some 600-plus restaurants. Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, is said to be Fayetteville’s premier Italian restaurant, and Morgan’s Chop House is reputed to be the city’s top Chop House.  Don’t leave Morgan’s without trying their Peach Tea.  You’ll get a real “kick” out of it!

After dinner, take in a play at the Cape Fear Regional Theater.  For fifty years, this award-winning theater has been delighting audiences with musicals, comedies, dramas, off-Broadway productions and children’s favorites.

CAPE FEAR REGIONAL THEATER

Fayetteville is adjacent to Fort Bragg one of the largest military installations in the United States. Established in 1918 as an artillery training post, the facility is now called “Home of the 82nd Airborne”.  Fort Bragg is open to all U.S. citizens, but civilian visitors must show a photo ID at one of two checkpoint entrances.

OUR HEROES FROM FT. BRAGG

This military-oriented city has numerous other historic sites, and dozens of award-winning golf courses.  Fayetteville is an interesting small town known for life, liberty and the pursuit of a scratch handicap.

JANET STEINBERG is the winner of 38 national Travel Writer Awards and an International Travel Consultant with The Travel Authority in Mariemont, Ohio.