The city was named for Fayetteville, North Carolina, where some of its earliest residents had lived before moving to Tennessee.

The earlier town was named for Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, a French general who fought for the United States during the American Revolution.

The earliest white settler was Ezekiel Norris, who gave the one hundred acres upon which the city was built.

In addition to Ezekiel Norris, other founding fathers of Fayetteville include: Alexander and Andrew Greer, William Edmonson, and Matthew Buchanan.

On February 29, 1952, the town was hit by a catastrophic and violent F4 tornado that damaged or obliterated numerous homes, businesses, trees, power lines, vehicles, and other buildings.

[13] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.3 square miles (19 km2), all land.

It was in 1860 that John Markum and Patrick Flannery, the architects and contractors, began the building of the bridge.

[21] The Camp Blount marker, erected in 1998, stands along Huntsville Highway (US-431) near the WalMart shopping center.

[22] The camp was located along the Elk River and was a meeting point for the Tennessee soldiers who were serving under General Andrew Jackson in the Creek War of 1813–1814.

[23] The racetrack was made of red clay until 1978 when it was converted to an all weather track by grading it and covering it in limestone dust.

Other elements of the fair include a demolition derby, rides, food vendors, a cattle showing, pageants, art competition, and concerts.