Later in the year Postmaster Larkin Newton changed the name to the Fayetteville Courthouse, to avoid confusing with Washington, Hempstead County.

In 1832 David Walker, Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, built a double log cabin on what is now Center Street.

Newspapers were established early; in 1859, Elias Cornelius Boudinot, a young half-Cherokee attorney, and James Pettigrew founded The Arkansan.

Fayetteville is in the Boston Mountains, a subset of the Ozarks which runs through Northwest Arkansas, southern Missouri, and Eastern Oklahoma.

[23] The rocks of the Boston Mountains were formed when sandstones and shales were deposited on top of the Springfield Plateau during the Pennsylvanian Period.

[26] An interstate connection with Fort Smith to the south and Kansas City, Missouri, to the north has contributed to Fayetteville's growth.

Although the Metropolitan Statistical Area does not consist of the usual principal-city-with-suburbs geography, Fayetteville's adjacent communities include Elkins, Farmington, Greenland, Habberton, Johnson, and Wyman.

The University of Arkansas defines its own part of Fayetteville, with dozens of student apartments and restaurants located near campus.

This shift in emphasis was recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching with classification in the category of "R1, Highest Research Activity," in 2011.

Fayetteville shares many of the characteristics commonly given to Arkansas as a Southern state, yet it has also absorbed cultural influence from the Mid and South West.

Many of the city's first settlers came from Mid South states like Kentucky and Tennessee, who found the Ozarks similar to the Appalachian Mountains back home.

The hillbilly stereotype given to the Ozarks and Appalachians is largely a derivative of the difficult topography, poor quality or absent formal education, and mostly cashless self-sustaining economy found in those regions.

[58] The city also derives a cultural identity from the University of Arkansas, exhibiting many trademarks of a college town such as a prominent arts and music scene, socially-progressive residents, an emphasis on supporting local businesses, and a community focus on environmental sustainability.

[59] Fayetteville shares a passion for collegiate athletics similar to many other Southeastern Conference member institution cities including Oxford, Mississippi and College Station, Texas.

Fayetteville is also home to a diverse array of dining options as Thai, Vietnamese, and Cajun eateries which are in the city's commercial districts.

[62][63] In autumn, hundreds of parents travel to Fayetteville to help their children move into the various residence halls and apartments in the area, with thousands more attending Razorback football home games.

Dickson Street is the primary entertainment district in the region, including musical and stage performances, shopping, bars, and restaurants.

TheatreSquared, Northwest Arkansas's only year-round professional regional theatre, is located just off Dickson Street, with an annual audience of 40,000 patrons including 18,500 students reached through outreach programs.

[70] Over 60 vendors provide locally grown fruits and vegetables in addition to crafts, flower bouquets, music and art, making the Fayetteville Farmers' Market very diverse.

Upon receiving a grant in 2011, the Fayetteville Farmers' Market now accepts electronic benefit transfer (EBT) and food stamps.

[72] The library has a local coffeeshop called Arsaga's, and hosts several events including film festivals, book signings, and public forums throughout the year.

The Ozark United FC is an upcoming professional football club located in nearby Rogers, expected to officially launch in 2025, with 2026 being its inaugural season.

[81] The park was the city's first, and today contains a swimming pool, two playgrounds, a baseball field, picnic areas, and a 1981 castle in addition to courts for volleyball, basketball and tennis.

The Razorback Greenway is a 36-mile (58 km), primarily off-road, shared-use trail which connects Fayetteville with Bella Vista via Johnson, Springdale, Lowell, Bentonville, and Rogers.

[96] The state representatives who serve districts containing portions of Fayetteville are Rep. Nicole Clowney,[97] Rep. David Whitaker,[98] and Rep. Denise Garner.

[112] Although it offers over 200 degree choices (excluding doctorate fields), the university is noted for its above average architecture, history, creative writing, poultry science, and business programs.

Because of the University of Arkansas's large presence in many aspects of the city's economy, culture, and lifestyle, Fayetteville is often portrayed as a college town with elements of dominance by Walmart.

The fully controlled access, four-lane expressway is a discontinuous piece of a route ultimately planned to connect Kansas City, Missouri, to New Orleans.

This route is now mostly designated College Avenue in Fayetteville and features dozens of restaurants and stores, with many aimed at the University of Arkansas student demographic.

In addition to these two facilities, Fayetteville also operates 39 lift stations to pump wastewater over steep elevation rises in order to utilize gravity flow toward the WWTPs.