Fayetteville/Cumberland County

Fun Facts About Greater Fayetteville

Even after having lived in Fayetteville and Cumberland County for 7 years, when I started with the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau almost 9 years ago, I still had lots to learn about this community. The greatest surprise? The wealth of noteworthy historical tidbits that have happened in and around Fayetteville. During my tenure, I’ve compiled this list – and I know there are many many more things to add. If you have comments, or suggestions on additions – please let me know!

 DID YOU KNOW? 
 

• Fayetteville was the first city named for The Marquis de Lafayette and the only one city he actually visited, in 1825. The carriage he used during his visit is on display at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory & Museum 
   
• Babe Ruth hit his first home run as a professional baseball player in Fayetteville, on March 7, 1914.
   
• The Airborne & Special Operations Museum is the only place where you can see, hear and experience the comprehensive history of the U.S. Army airborne & special operations units. 
   
• The Babe’s bat boy was Maurice Fleishman, who became a successful Fayetteville clothier and county commissioner.  
   
• The state of NC ratified the NC Constitution in Fayetteville in 1789.
   
• Fayetteville missed being NC’s capitol by one vote!  
   
• In 1839, the first cotton mill in present day Hope Mills, equipped with cotton spinning machinery, was constructed. The factory was known as “Rockfish Manufacturing Company” in “Rockfish Village”, and operated 3,000 spindles and 120 looms 
        
• Jack McKeon, Manager of the Florida Marlins and the National League Manager of the Year for 2003, got his professional start managing the now-defunct Fayetteville Highlanders of the Carolina League. 
   
• The University of North Carolina, America’s oldest public university, was chartered in Fayetteville in 1789
   
• Golfers Ray and Marlene Floyd grew up and honed their skills on Fayetteville courses
         
• Archibald “Moonlight” Graham, made infamous by the movie “Field of Dreams” was born and raised in Fayetteville
            
• 19th- century artist Elliott Daingerfield, known for painting “The Grand Canyon” grew up in Fayetteville. 
   
• Methodist College is one of only 14 schools nationwide and the only Division III school to offer the PGA-sanctioned Professional Golf Management degree 
   
• The Fayetteville Observer is the oldest newspaper in North Carolina. 
   
• Saint Patrick Church is the first Catholic parish in North Carolina, organized in 1824. 
   
• The second-oldest public university in North Carolina, Fayetteville State University (FSU) was founded as the Howard School in 1867. In 1877, the school became State Colored Normal School, making it the first and oldest state-supported institution to train African-American teachers.  
   
• Famous African-American novelist Charles Chestnutt was one of the early leaders of FSU. Fayetteville was the setting for his novel for The House Behind the Cedars. Chestnutt also wrote “The Conjure Woman.” 
   
• Carson McCullers wrote “Reflections in a Golden Eye” while living in Cool Spring Tavern on North Cool Spring Street. 
   
• Falcon is the birthplace of the Pentecostal Holiness Church
   
• The Fayetteville area is home to 425 churches, mosques and synagogues. 
   
• NASCAR fans at the Daytona International Speedway enjoy Larry’s Sausage, which is produced in Fayetteville. 
   
• “Tin Originals” products are made in Fayetteville and shipped to stores worldwide.
   
• Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry is the second oldest military organization in the country. It was established August 23, 1793. 
   
• Fayetteville native Joe Harris played with the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV. 
   
• The Overhills estate, once owned by the Rockerfeller family, is now owned by the U.S. Army and is on Fort Bragg. 
   
•  Tim McLaurin, author of “The Acorn Plan,” “Cured by Fire,” and “Keeper of the Moon” grew up and lived in east Fayetteville. He died in 2002.  
   
• The Fayetteville Symphony is the oldest community-supported orchestra in the state. 
   
• Actress Julianne Moore was born at Womack Army Medical Center
   
• The Hardy Boyz wrestlers are from Cameron. 
   
• Patsy Cline lived in Spring Lake in the late 1950’s.  Click one of the links below to learn more about our community of history, heroes and a hometown feeling!  

Plan Your Visit
Book Your Hotel
Request your Print Destination GuideElectronic Destination Guide 
Fan of the CVB on Facebook
Friend us on MySpace  
Follow the CVB on Twitter 

2 Comments to Fun Facts About Greater Fayetteville

Leave a comment