A Brief History of Fayetteville, Arkansas
Originally a small town called Washington Courthouse, Fayetteville bloomed into one of Arkansas’s largest cities during the next 190 years. The town prospered during its first two decades but suffered decimation during the Civil War as troops moved throughout the region. In 1871, Fayetteville successfully bid to be home to the University of Arkansas, the state’s first public university.
Today, the city represents a cultural convergence, with remnants of historic trails such as the Military Road between St. Louis and Fort Smith and the Trail of Tears. Author and historian Charlie Alison details pivotal events that shaped the city.
About Charles Y. Alison (Fayetteville, Arkansas Author)
Charlie Alison has lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas, since 1965 and worked as a writer and editor since the early 1980s. He is executive editor for the University of Arkansas, where he manages editing of the university's quarterly alumni magazine, its annual Catalog of Studies, and its daily campus news digest.