1830-1854

The Market House is an enduring symbol at the center of downtown Fayetteville.

The fire of 1831 destroyed the State House, where legislators adopted the U.S. Constitution, chartered the University of North Carolina and ceded land that became the state of Tennessee.

Fayetteville built a two-story, meeting-and-market house on the ruins of the State House. The Market House, completed in 1832, became the center of commerce and celebration.

It was a town market until 1906. Slaves were sold there before abolition.

It served as Fayetteville Town Hall until 1907, when city officials sought to tear it down to build a post office. The Women's Civic Improvement Society spearheaded an effort to save the building. City leaders agreed not to demolish the building if the women could find another use, so the women converted the building into a library. It was a library from 1908 to 1952, and later was offices for the Fayetteville Museum of Art and the Chamber of Commerce.

The City Council is considering turning the Market House into a museum.

Samuel Nott of Fayetteville won this medal that was forged in 1853.

The Wilmington Light Infantry had this medal made in 1853 for a shooting contest. On May 20, 1856, Samuel Nott won the medal for the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry. It has been in the possession of the FILI ever since.

The medallion is called the commander's medal and is worn once a year when the FILI celebrates its anniversary on Aug. 23.

Longstreet Presbyterian Church was built in 1847.

The two-story Longstreet Presbyterian Church on Old Yadkin Road on Fort Bragg dates to 1847. But religious services were continually held at this site from 1756 until 1895.

The Rev. Hugh McAden preached the first sermon at the site on Jan. 28, 1756, at what was the home of Alexander McKay. McKay initially doubted the conviction of his parishioners because they drank and used profanity.

Reunions were held each year until 1918, when the federal government purchased the church and the land for Camp Bragg.

Money from the sale was used to establish an endowment at Davidson College to help young men prepare for the ministry. The Army maintains the church and graveyard.