Settled in 1818, Fayetteville was named for Marquis de Lafayette in 1837. The city is located in
Fayette County (
Southern Region).
A historical marker on the town lawn identifies Fayetteville as the site where the military tactic of indirect firing, the shooting over friendly troops into enemy positions beyond was first used during the Civil War.
The proximity of Fayetteville to the New and Gauley Rivers has made it a center for recreation. Both these rivers are famous for their challenging white-water rapids.
Fayetteville lies along scenic US 19, which runs 45 miles from the West Virginia Turnpike at Bradley to I-79 near Sutton.
