Fayetteville History: Dateline: Fayetteville, Arkansas

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Dateline: Fayetteville, Arkansas

Welcome to FayettevilleHistory.com, a compendium of information about the history and culture of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The town was founded in 1828 on land that had previously been set aside for the western Cherokee Nation. Before the Cherokees, the land had been hunted by the Osage and Quapaw tribes. The town has continued to grow during the last 170 years into a city that today is routinely named among the best places in America to live, attend college, own a business or retire.

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Civil War Fayetteville

See more about Fayetteville during the Civil War.

Photo Albums

Fayetteville History currently has five photo albums available for viewing.

Reed Family

A pile of photographs from the 18th and early 19th century, all related to the Reed family of Fayetteville, was spotted in a dumpster by Dixie Rhyne, who retrieved them and was kind enough to allow publication of the photos on the Fayetteville History website. The Reed family — George Washington Reed and Mary Jane Ferguson Reed — bought the Wilson home in the 600 block of Fayetteville’s West Dickson Street prior to the Civil War and settled in for the next century. Mr. Reed was a successful merchant, councilman, postmaster and circuit clerk. They had seven children: Maggie, John Alois, Lina Xantha, George Jr., James Lafayette “Fay,” William L., and Maude F. Reed, most of whom attended the university, either in its preparatory school or as college students. A couple of photos also depict the next generation as well.

UA Field House Performers

The Old Field House at the University of Arkansas provided a stage for performers from its construction in 1937 to advent of rock concerts in the early 1970s. Here are some of the best known among them.

Souvenir Folder

Photos of Fayetteville collected into a foldable souvenir packet.

Historic Homes of Fayetteville

In 1951, Walter J. Lemke photographed a dozen homes in Fayetteville that he considered historic and made it a baker's dozen by adding a picture and description of the Masonic Hall. Although most of the buildings are still standing, several have since been torn down.

University Buildings

The first history of the University of Arkansas included more than a dozen photos of the campus as it appeared just after the turn of the century. Most of the buildings are no longer standing, and nearly all of those that do remain are used in new capacities.

History Links

Arkansas History Commission
The state archives are maintained by the Arkansas History Commission.
Arkansas Historical Association
The association publishes a quarterly journal about history in Arkansas.
Washington County Historical Society
The society publishes a quarterly historical journal and is based at Headquarters House.
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
The museum, based at Springdale, maintains historical items and collections related to the Ozarks, including Fayetteville.
NWA African American Heritage Association
Dedicated to preserving and documenting the history of African Americans in Northwest Arkansas.
University of Arkansas Libraries
The primary research library in Northwest Arkansas is Mullins Library.
Special Collections - University of Arkansas Libraries
The collections at Mullins Library include manuscripts, books and photographs, much of which relates to Arkansas history.
Fayetteville Public Library
Blair Library has a section devoted to Arkansas history and an extensive genealogical section.
Hog Database
This Web site contains history of the Arkansas Razorback football teams from the last 120 years.
Arkansas Archeological Survey
This state agency is charged with researching and conserving historic and prehistoric sites.
Department of Arkansas Heritage
This state department is dedicated to preserving the state's heritage and history.
Historic Washington County
A.D. Poole is compiling histories of communities throughout Washington County, including resources about Fayetteville.
Washington County Arkansas Genealogical Society
The society collects and preserves genealogical and historical information with a focus on Washington County.
We're History
An online companion to the radio show Ozarks at Large, featuring Bill Smith and Kyle Kellams talking about little-known American history.

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Fayetteville, Arkansas

This website provides notes and information regarding the history of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Check back as we add more information about Fayetteville's history.

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