Historical Markers in
Cumberland County, North Carolina

15cm Medium Field Howitzer, M18 1897 Poe House 20th Corps 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion 328th Infantry Rock 4th Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment 82d Infantry Division Airlifter's Memorial Arsenal Arsenal Park Arsenal Stones Babe Ruth Bank of the United States Bastogne Gables Battle of Averasboro Braxton Bragg Burning of Clarendon Bridge C-119 "Packet" C-123 "Provider" C-130 "Hercules" C-7 "Caribou" C. M. Stedman Campbelton Cape Fear Baptist Church Charles W. Chesnutt Charter of the University of N. C. Colonel Alexander McAllister Confederate First Line Confederate Women's Home Cornwallis Cross Creek Cross Creek Cemetery Cross Creek Linear Park Cumberland County Confederate Memorial Currahee Rocks Curtis C-46 "Commando" David M. Williams DC-3/C-47 "Skytrain" Douglas C-47 Dunn’s Creek Quaker Meeting Edward J. Hale House Engine House (1838 - 1848) Enlisted Personnel Memorial Fairchild C-119 Fairchild C-123-K Fayetteville Arsenal Fayetteville State University Federal Artillery Federal Hospital First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church Flora MacDonald Flora Macdonald Forging and Casting [and] Smith's Shops (1839 - 1842) Fort Bragg Frank P. Graham Ft. Bragg School Integration Gun Carriage and Turning Shop (1842 - 1849) Henry Evans Highsmith-Rainey Memorial Hospital Hiram R. Revels Iron Mike James C. Dobbin James Dobbin McNeill John England Lafayette Liberty Point Liberty Point Declaration of Independence Lt. Harley H. Pope M-551A1 Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle M-56 Scorpion Self-Propelled Antitank Gun MacPherson Church Meadows Memorial Parade Field Methodist University Moore's Camp North Carolina North Carolina Arsenal Old Bluff Church Old Bluff Church Old Town Hall Omar Ibn Said Parade Ground Plank Roads Plummer Bridge Pope Air Force Base Air Park Pope Airmen Memorial Pope Field Rev. James Campbell Rhett’s Brigade Saint Patrick Catholic Church Scotch Spring Settlement of the Upper Cape Fear Sherman's Army Southwest Tower (1849 - 1856) Stang Field T-8 90mm Taliaferro’s Division The Battle of Bentonville The Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Company The Fayetteville Observer The Market House The Sandford House The "Ghost" Tower Town House U.S. Arsenal UH-1A Iroquois Utility Helicopter USASOC Memorial Wall Warren Winslow "Oak Grove"
The famous Civil War battle of Fort Fisher, which took place in January 1865, was the largest naval engagement of the entire war.
Cumberland County, North Carolina, has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century. The area was first inhabited by indigenous tribes, including the Tuscarora and Lumbee peoples. European settlers began arriving in the mid-1700s, with the establishment of Cross Creek and Campbellton, two important trading posts that would later merge to become Fayetteville, the county seat.

During the American Revolutionary War, Cumberland County played a significant role. The Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge in 1776 was a major victory for Patriot forces and helped secure the southern colonies. The county also saw the construction of several military installations, including the Fayetteville Arsenal, which produced weapons and supplies for the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

In the 19th century, Cumberland County experienced rapid growth and prosperity. The advent of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in the late 1800s brought economic opportunities and led to the development of towns like Hope Mills and Spring Lake. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, was a major industry, with many plantations dotting the landscape.

In the 20th century, Cumberland County continued to evolve. The establishment of Fort Bragg in 1918 marked the beginning of a close relationship between the military and the community. Over the years, Fort Bragg has grown to become one of the largest military installations in the world, greatly impacting the local economy and shaping the county's identity.

Today, Cumberland County remains a vibrant and diverse community. It is home to over 330,000 residents and offers a mix of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. Its historical significance, military presence, and natural beauty make it a truly unique and dynamic part of North Carolina.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Cumberland County, North Carolina.

  • 1664 - Cumberland County is formed from a portion of Bladen County.
  • 1743 - The county seat is established in Cross Creek, later known as Fayetteville.
  • 1775-1783 - The American Revolutionary War affects Cumberland County, with numerous battles and skirmishes taking place in the area.
  • 1783 - The county seat is officially named Fayetteville in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette.
  • 1825 - The Fayetteville Arsenal is built, becoming an important military facility.
  • 1861-1865 - Cumberland County is significantly impacted by the American Civil War, with several battles occurring in the region.
  • 1899 - The Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railway reaches Fayetteville, spurring economic growth.
  • 1918 - Camp Bragg (later renamed Fort Bragg) is established near Fayetteville, leading to increased military presence and economic development.
  • 1950s-1960s - Cumberland County experiences significant growth and urbanization due to military installations and the aerospace industry.
  • 1990 - Fayetteville annexes a large portion of Cumberland County, significantly increasing its population.
  • Present - Cumberland County continues to thrive as a diverse and vibrant community, encompassing both urban and rural areas.