Onslow County (Images of America)

Onslow County is one of the oldest maritime and agricultural counties on the southeastern coast of North Carolina. Originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, the area was settled in the early 18th century by a diverse group of people, including farmers, merchants, indentured servants, and slaves, hailing not only from nearby colonies but also from the British Isles and West Indies. This diversity has continued into the 21st century; Onslow's citizens have arrived from virtually every state and from several foreign countries due to the military presence of Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station. But there remains a nucleus population of families that descended from those early-18th-century pioneers--a thread that provides continuity into the present. These old-timers always appreciate and enjoy the history of their familiar surroundings, while newer residents want to learn more about the place they now call home.