The people of Jacksonville and Onslow County welcome you to an exciting and information-filled Internet tour of our area. You'll find, as did thousands who have visited, that Jacksonville and Onslow County have much to offer. Onslow County consists of 30 miles of breathtaking beaches which have been acclaimed as some of the best. Full of rich heritage and quaint maritime towns and villages, Onslow County invites you to share in the many festivals and cultural happenings that everyone in the family will enjoy. Coastal activities also offer much in the way of unique shopping and family entertainment. Jacksonville is the commercial center of Onslow County and home to the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and the Marine Corps Air Station New River. Early growth for Jacksonville began with the establishment of a court house in 1755. The town was later incorporated in 1842 and named Jacksonville after President Andrew Jackson. In 1941 construction began on a Marine Corps Training Center, later named Camp Lejeune after Lt. General John A. Lejeune. Today, the Base covers over 150,000 acres and has become a stable economic force for Onslow County. Both Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station are home to the largest Marine force in the world. As you can imagine, Jacksonville, North Carolina, together with a diverse combination of people and plain old southern hospitality, makes for a very interesting visit.