Finding the right community is as important as finding the perfect house. You probably can't imagine your next home without thinking about your new neighbors, friendships, or your child's new school. This is why it is important to find a REALTOR® who is not only knowledgeable about real estate, but is also a member of the community in which they sell homes. Jacksonville is my community and I am very proud to be a part of it. Though Jacksonville has many attractive features, the most impressive aspect is the community itself.

In Jacksonville NC there are several different military installations. Camp Lejeune, New River Air Station, Camp Geiger, & Camp Johnson are all in the surrounding area. There is also Cherry Point which is only 45 minutes from J'ville. Being centually located to most cities in Onslow County such as Richlands, Jacksonville, Swansboro, Hubert, Sneads Ferry, or Verona you will find you will have a wide variety of locations to settle down and make home!

Onslow County's first human occupants were Paleo-Indians which roamed through the area over 10,000 years ago. At the time of European exploration, the county may have been occupied by Siouan, Algonquian, and Iroquoian speaking natives, including the Tuscaroras. The area's natural resources were a magnet for European explorers and settlers who found the abundant wood, wild game and river resources. The New River and White Oak River were essential resources for the new community. Onslow County is one of the oldest settled counties in the state of North Carolina. The first Europeans to settle in what is now Onslow County arrived in 1713. Onslow precinct was created November 23, 1731 by order of Governor George Burrington and the governing Council. Taking its name in honor of the Right Honorable Arthur Onslow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Onslow was not officially recognized as a precinct court until 1735. In 1741, the county seat was established at Johnston, named in honor of Governor Gabriel Johnston. The town was destroyed by a hurricane in 1752. The county seat moved in 1755, when Wantlands Ferry became the county seat and a new courthouse was built. The town was later renamed Onslow Courthouse. The county seat kept that name until 1842, when it was changed to Jacksonville in honor of Andrew Jackson. The next four decades Onslow County made contributions in both politics and the military. During the war of 1812, Onslow County was an active participant in America's struggle to maintain its independence. The antebellum period in Onslow County was one of steady progress. The chief source of income was agriculture and naval stores. Other advances made were in education, such as the establishment of the Richlands Academy in 1848. During the Civil War era, Onslow County contributed several companies of men to join with regiments organized by the state. The primary concerns of the county were its valuable salt works, naval stores, and crops, as well as its people. The years following the war, from Reconstruction through the Great Depression, were marked with slow growth. Onslow's economic turning point came in the late 1930s as war erupted in Europe. Camp Davis, an army anti-aircraft training facility, and Camp Lejeune, an amphibious base for the Marine Corps, were constructed in Onslow County. Although Camp Davis was closed, today's Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station, New River remain important entities. From its humble beginnings, Onslow County has grown into a prospering community with a population of more than 150,000 and growing.

Each community within Onslow County has its own appeal, and together they make a diverse and interesting place to live or visit. From the fertile farms of Richlands to the peaceful shores of North Topsail Beach, Onslow County's towns offer many options for work and play. Jacksonville, North Carolina's seventh largest city, is the commercial hub of Onslow County and is home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. Population, including Camp Lejeune and the Air Station, is 81,216. A Council-Manager form of government governs the city with a Mayor, two at-large council members, four ward council members and an appointed City Manager. Citizens are encouraged to get involved through advisory groups such as the Planning Board, Beautification and Appearance Commission, Trails and Greenways Commission, Zoning Board, Civic Affairs and the Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities. Through these and other groups, Jacksonville consistently promotes the collaborative interaction of citizens, government, business and volunteer organizations in the resolution of public issues and the betterment of the community. A number of events are hosted annually by the Chamber of Commerce including the Business & Technology Expo (one of the largest trade shows in Eastern North Carolina) and the Annual Holiday Parade held in November. Bettering Our Local Downtown (B.O.L.D.) hosts Downtown Alive!, a series of free concerts each Friday night in April, May, September and October. Historic Swansboro, located to the east of Jacksonville, boasts a quaint historic atmosphere with antique and specialty shops, restored homes, and restaurants serving local seafood specialties. Population is approximately 1,500. In 1783, the colonial port town of Swannsborough was incorporated in honor of Captain Samuel Swann, a speaker of the N.C. House of Commons. The bustling port thrived, and shipbuilding became the major industry. After the Great Depression, the town's people turned to the sea and the development of the commercial fishing industry. The shipbuilding tradition has continued with the opening and expansion of Tiara Yachts in recent years, and fishing remains important to the community's economy. The waterways around Swansboro provide opportunities for many types of recreational activities. One can board the ferry in Swansboro and take the brief to Hammock's Beach State Park on Bear Island. This "Friendly City by the Sea" comes alive with a variety of festivities each year including the Story Telling Festival, Arts by the Sea, the Fourth of July Celebration, the Mullet Festival, a Candlelight Open House and a Christmas Flotilla. Richlands, located to the northwest of Jacksonville, is primarily a rural farming community and was once known as "Rich Land" for its fertile soil. With settlers arriving around 1750 and incorporated in 1880, Richlands has a current population of approximately 1,250 and is governed by a Mayor and Board of Aldermen. Richlands was the site of the first county library and is also home to the Onslow County Museum and Union Chapel. The Union Chapel was the successor to the New River Chapel, which was established in the 1730s and was the county's first church. Special events in Richlands include the first Ol' Timey Festival in spring 2000, the Annual Arts & Crafts Festival - the largest in all of North Carolina - and a candlelight Christmas Parade. The community is also home to the 195 acre Richlands-Steed Park.

Minutes away from Topsail Beach and Onslow Beach!

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