Onslow County was first recognized in 1731. It was named for Arthur Onslow, a Speaker of the British House of Commons for 33 years. A town called Johnston was the first incorporated community. In 1752 the first County Courthouse was built there. Several courthouses followed.

Due to a population movement inland from the coast, a new courthouse was built in a more centrally located site called WantLands Ferry in 1755. The first court session was held in 1757. Over the years the site became known as Onslow Courthouse and the name was officially changed in 1785. In 1842 the name of the area was changed to Jacksonville in honor of President Andrew Jackson.

Civil War

The salt works in Onslow County were raided frequently by the Union Army and Navy. The war was devastating to the county. Two companies of the North Carolina Third Regiment which fought throughout the entire war came from Onslow County. This left the women, children and old folks to keep the county economy going. Times were bad.

After the Civil War farming and naval stores were the major economic support of the county. During reconstruction naval stores, farming and related livestock production supported many of the local residents. As steam and mechanical ships became prevalent the naval stores business dropped.

Following World War I tobacco became the major cash crop in this area. World War II brought Camp Davis at Holly Ridge and Camp Lejeune as major economic factors in Onslow County.

Swansboro

An Algonkian Indian village site became the current town of Swansboro. In 1730 Jonathon and Grace Green established the first permanent European settlement at the mouth of the White Oak River.

About ten years later Theophilus Weeks, owner of a large plantation in the area divided a small portion of his holdings into 48 lots along six streets. In 1783 the area was incorporated as Swannsborough, named after Samuel Swann who represented Onslow County and served as Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons.

Swannsborough was an bustling port until the Civil War. The merchants gave way to fishermen and farmers. World War II brought Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point Marine Bases as major employers. Now tourism is a strong element of the local economy.

Topsail

Pirates used to hide in the navigable channels behind the dunes in this coastal area. They plundered ships traveling the major shipping routes along this busy strip of the Atlantic Coast.

The only signal to captains of ships at risk was the tell-tale sails of the pirate ships that showed above the dunes.

According to legend this is why the area is now known as Topsail.

Topsail Island was the sight of missile testing during the second World War. This was the forerunner to the current space program. At one time this area was seriously considered as a site for the space program.

Now the sails of pleasure craft and the upper stories of resort hotels peek over the top of dunes.