Painting by Larry Arnold shows the Fayetteville Arsenal at Averasboro Battlefield Museum in Dunn, NC.

Before its destruction during the Civil War, the Fayetteville Arsenal, which is now part of Arsenal Park, was a significant military installation. Here's what we can infer about its appearance and layout based on historical descriptions and archaeological findings:

• Structure and Layout: The Fayetteville Arsenal was not just a single building but a complex of structures. It included an armory, workshops, storage facilities, and possibly administrative buildings. These would have been constructed with the military architecture of the time, featuring sturdy brick or stone buildings designed for durability and security rather than aesthetic appeal.

• Surrounding Area: The arsenal was situated on what would become Arsenal Avenue, surrounded by what was likely open ground for security reasons, which would have provided a clear field of fire in case of attack. This area might have been fenced or walled for security, though specifics on the fencing or walls are not well-documented.

• Arsenal House: One of the few structures from this period that still exists is the Arsenal House, built in 1862. This one-story building gives us an idea of the construction style of the time, featuring a simple, functional design typical of military or government buildings of the era.

• Vegetation and Landscaping: Before its conversion into a park, the immediate surroundings of the arsenal would not have been landscaped in the modern sense but might have included necessary trees or vegetation for practical purposes like shade or boundary markers.

• Destruction and Aftermath: By the time of its destruction in 1865, much of the arsenal's infrastructure was either dismantled or destroyed by Union forces, leaving behind ruins. The site was then left largely untouched until the land was auctioned off in 1873, suggesting that for a period, the area might have looked like a ruinous landscape, with remnants of walls, foundations, and possibly debris scattered around.

• Post-Destruction Appearance: After its destruction, the site would have initially been a mix of ruins and open land, gradually transitioning as nature reclaimed it until the area was developed into what is now Arsenal Park.