Arsenal Park

 After the War of 1812, the U.S. wanted to expand its defenses and commissioned the construction of five arsenals. Fayetteville, NC was chosen as a site for one of those new arsenals. 

By 1858, just three years prior to the Civil War, the arsenal facility was just about complete. When North Carolina seceded from the Union in April 1861, local militia seized the Arsenal, turned it over to the State of North Carolina, who in turn gave it to the new Confederate States of America.

The Confederacy used the arsenal to produce rifles, ammunition, and gun carriages. Union troops, commanded by Gen. William T. Sherman, destroyed the facility in 1865.

Visitors can explore the site ruins with interpretive signage, view a steel structure representing the Northwest tower called the "ghost" tower, and two Civil War Trail markers. 

Arsenal Park is also home to the VanStory History Village, three restored 19th century homes that will become part of the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation, & Reconstruction. For more information, see the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction website.