Cumberland County began as a settlement in the Upper Cape Fear Valley between 1729 and 1736 by European migrants known as Highland Scots. The area became a vital transportation link to other major settlements.
In 1754, the Colonial Legislature divided Bladen County, and Cumberland County was formed out of that division. It was named after the Duke of Cumberland (William Augustus) who commanded the English Army. Campbellton was charted in 1762, and was probably named after John Campbell, an influence politician of Bertie County. In 1778, Campbellton and Cross Creek combined, becoming lower Campbellton and upper Campbellton (formerly Cross Creek). In 1783, Campbellton was renamed Fayetteville in honor of Marquis De La Fayette, a French general that served in the American Colonies’ Army during the American Revolution. In 1825, Fayetteville became the only city named for Lafayette that he visited.
Fayetteville's growth was set back by a devastating fire in 1831 that burned most of the city, and by the invasion of General Sherman in 1865. One of the principal factors that boosted the slow recovery of the area was the opening of Camp Bragg as an artillery and temporary training facility in 1918. The base was closed in 1921 and later reopened as a permanent army post and renamed Fort Bragg in honor of Confederate General Braxton Bragg, a North Carolina native, due to his success as an artillery commander during the Mexican-American War. Fort Bragg became Fort Liberty in 2023.
Presently, Cumberland County has a population close to 319,431 and encompasses approximately 661 square miles. The area is part of the "Sandhills." Cumberland County has progressed from its beginnings as a riverfront distribution center to a highly commercialized area offering a variety of services to its citizens.