I found an old article reference by a Frances Louise Romine Kelly from a UDC Magazine at the library yesterday and it provides a small glimpse into what life was like at the arsenal prior to its takeover at the start of the Civil War. “A visit to antebellum Fayetteville, North Carolina, would have included a stroll and hopefully a picnic in the lovely gardens of the Fayetteville Arsenal. It was indeed the pride of its residents and eagerly shown and shared with all visitors, for it was considered the most handsome building in the town.

The structures included three fine residences for officials. The cream building with brown trimming were arranged in a hollow rectangle, with the citadel in the center. The citadel was a large, oblong, three-story building with an observatory on each end of the roof. The complex was surrounded by a high wall with a tower at each corner, enclosed by an iron railing. Powder magazines were outside the enclosure, in the rear at a distance.

The grounds were laid out with walks and drives, set with grass and evergreens. Large oaks provided ample shade for strolling visitors. Physically, the arsenal grounds were located a square back from the main street, fronting at right angles to the east. The ground fell to the south and east, giving it a commanding position and view in the direction of the Cape Fear River, about two miles away. The citadel provided an opportunity to gather a picturesque view of the surrounding area. Down at the base of the arsenal lay the town of Fayetteville, with two small lakes or ponds glimmering to the south."