Fayetteville

A Cool Town....with a Past

In 1837 Fayetteville, formerly known as Vandalia, became the county seat and geographical center of Fayette County. During the Civil War it was devastated by battles and ensuing destruction but later resurfaced as a thriving commercial center. The history of Fayetteville is as interesting as the people that call it home.

The city is situated on the Fayette plateau at an elevation of 1820 feet adjacent to the New River Gorge National River. The town square boasts an historic courthouse built in 1895 which has provided a central gathering place for community events throughout the years.

Colorful Past Gives Way to a Colorful Now

Today Fayetteville is not only a town with a colorful past, a charming historic downtown, excellent restaurants, art galleries, crafts, and antiques, but it is also the outdoor recreation center for the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The community is very neighborly with a homespun atmosphere and is perhaps most widely known for the New River Gorge Bridge, a remarkable single-span arch bridge resting at a height of 876 feet above the New River. It is host to the famous Bridge Day Festival held annually during October when hundreds of BASE jumpers parachute from its side adding a splash of color to the already brilliant fall foliage.