The original plot of of land for the National Cemetery was purchased in 1867 from Judge David Walker and Stephen Stone, names also associated with the historic
Walker-Stone House in Fayetteville. The original layout was of an outer circle surrounding a six-pointed star with diamonds between the points of the star and a flagpole in the center. There were eighteen sections with an estimated capacity of 1,800 graves. The first interments were remains moved from battlefield cemeteries of the
Battle of Prairie Grove and the
Battle of Pea Ridge. By 1871 there were 1,200 interments made in the cemetery, most of which were unidentified. During
World War II the cemetery was enlarged, the layout was revised, and five more sections were added. In 1989, the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation (RNCIC – a group of locals, veterans, and other concerned benefactors) raised enough money to purchase an additional of land, and donated it to the cemetery. The group continued their efforts over the years and donated numerous plots of land. In their latest and largest donation they donated 2.3 acres in ceremonies at the National Cemetery on November 9, 2013. Fayetteville National Cemetery was placed on the
National Register of Historic Places on July 28, 1999. == Notable monuments ==