Jacksonville, NC History Resources

Local History Institutions (Museums, Historic Sites, Societies, and Organizations)

Onslow County Museum: "Museum | Onslow County, NC." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.onslowcountync.gov/2134/Museum.

• Address: 301 S Wilmington St, Richlands, NC 28574
• Phone Number: (910) 324-5008
• Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., closed on Sundays.
• Admission: Adults-$2.14, Children 3-18- $1.07, Two and under-Free, Cash or Check only.
• The museum has a collection of about 6,000 objects, mainly historical documents and books, agricultural tools and textiles, household items, and photographs.
• The museum has a more ecological focus and sources with its permanent exhibit, "The Water & the Wood."
• It has a 4.5-star rating with 84 Google reviews.

African American Heritage Trail: Onslow, Only in. "African American Heritage Trail | Only In Onslow," August 24, 2019. https://www.onlyinonslow.com/african-american-heritage-trail/.

• Address: Waypoints are accessible through the website.
• Phone Number: N/A
• Hours of Operation: N/A
• Admission: Price varies per site.
• Announced in 2010, the trail has markers commemorating African American heritage in Onslow County and individual contributions to the county.
• The sites along the trail include the Linda Richardson Memorial, Georgetown High School, Verona Loop National Cemetery, Julia Church, and many more.

Swansboro Area Heritage Center Museum: Onslow, Only in. "Swansboro Area Heritage Center | Only In Onslow," August 17, 2019. https://www.onlyinonslow.com/swansboro-area-heritage-center/.

• Address: 502 W. Church St., Swansboro, NC 28584
• Phone Number: (910) 326-1174
• Hours of Operation: Friday through Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Admission: Unknown
• It is a local history museum that serves the Swansboro community.
• Exhibits include Colonial Swansboro, Maritime Artifacts, Tobacco, and Cotton Displays.
• It has a 5-star rating with 2 Google reviews.

Montford Point Marine Museum: "Https://Montfordpointmarines.Org/Museum." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://montfordpointmarines.org/Museum.

• Address: Montford Point Camp in building M101, Marine Corps Base, Camp Gilbert H
  • The museum is located on Camp Johnson and requires base access, or you must gain access to the base through the Wilson Gate Visitors Center. Please call to ensure you meet the base requirements before arriving at the gate.
• Phone Number: (910) 554-0808
• Hours of Operation: Tuesdays to Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• The museum boasts an extensive collection of photos, documents, and artifacts related to the history of African American Marines from 1942 to 1949.
• The museum focuses on the contributions and hardships African American Marines endured and the legacy of their sacrifice and experience today.
• It has a 4.8-star rating with 25 reviews.

USO Downtown Jacksonville: USO of North Carolina. "Camp Lejeune." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://northcarolina.uso.org/jacksonville.

• Adress: 417 L St, Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
• Phone Number: 910-450-2108
• Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 0900-1530
• Admission: Adults – $8, children aged 6-10 – $4, under 5 – free
• Founded on April 23, 1941, it is the oldest continuously operating USO in the world.
• The USO provides meals, entertainment, events, and a comforting welcome.
• It has a 5-star rating with 24 Google reviews.

Morton's Academy: "Morton's one-room schoolhouse." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.mortonsoneroomschoolhouse.org/.

• Address: 735 Main Street Extension, Swansboro, NC  28584
• Phone Number: 910-581-3127
• Hours of Operation: By appointment
• Admission: $12 per person
• Built in 1880, this one-room schoolhouse was typical of the schools across the country during that period.
• It is restored to how it once would have looked in the 1880s through the 1920s.

Libraries

Onslow County Public Library: "Library | Onslow County, NC." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.onslowcountync.gov/library.

• Address: 58 E Doris Ave, Jacksonville, NC 28540
• Phone Number: (910) 455-7350
• Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Admission: Free
• The library provides access to the N.C. digital library, N.C. Live and NC DMV driving practice tests.
• Hosts programs and events for children and adults, calligraphy, arms, and armor talks.
• The library has public computers, Wi-Fi, and access to genealogy and family tree research sources.
• It has a 4.6-star rating with 156 Google reviews.

Camp Johnson Branch Library: "Libraries." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://lejeunenewriver.usmc-mccs.org/marine-family-support/education/libraries.

• Address: Company C St, Jacksonville, NC 28540
• Phone Number: (910) 450-0844
• Hours of Operation: Sunday- Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Admission: Free
  • A valid military, dependent, or civilian employee I.D. must borrow materials.
  • Students must bring proof of current enrollment.
• The library maintains a collection of print, audio-visual, early literacy programs, book clubs, and electronic resources for educational, informational, and recreational pursuits.
• It has a 4.9-star rating with 17 Google reviews.

New River Library: "Libraries." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://lejeunenewriver.usmc-mccs.org/marine-family-support/education/libraries.

• Address: 213 Bancroft St, Jacksonville, NC 28540
• Phone Number: 910 449 6715
• Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m., Closed Saturday and Sunday
• Admission: Free
  • A valid military, dependent, or civilian employee I.D. must borrow materials.
  • Students must bring proof of current enrollment.
• The library maintains a collection of print, audio-visual, early literacy programs, book clubs, and electronic resources for educational, informational, and recreational pursuits.
• The library has a collection of diverse books for all ages and professions.
• It has a 4.4-star rating with 9 Google reviews.

Newspapers (Current and Historic)

The Daily News: News, The Daily. "Jdnews.Com | The Daily News - Jacksonville, NC | Local News, Politics & Sports in Jacksonville, NC." The Daily News, February 26, 2024. https://www.jdnews.com/.

• Address: 724 Bell Fork Rd. Jacksonville, NC 28540
• Phone Number: 910-353-1171
• Hours of Operation: Weekdays, 6 a.m.–5 p.m., Weekends, 7–11 a.m.
• Established: 1953
• Publisher: Gannett Publishing Co.
• Serves: Onslow County
• The paper is a North Carolina Publishing Association member and winner of multiple press awards.
• It has articles on faith, news, sports, entertainment, and obituaries.
• It has a 3.8-star rating with 18 Google reviews.
  • Mixed community reviews

The Globe: Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. "End of an Era: Base Wraps Final Edition of The Globe." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.lejeune.marines.mil/News/Article/Article/2333246/end-of-an-era-base-wraps-final-edition-of-the globe/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lejeune.marines.mil%2FNews%2FArticle%2FArticle%2F2333246%2Fend-of-an-era-base-wraps-final-edition-of-the-globe%2F.

• Address: 1300 Gum Branch Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28546
• Phone Number: 910 939 0700
• Hours of Operation: Unknown
• Established: 1944
• Last Issue: 3, 2020
• Publisher: Fayetteville Publishing
• Served: Onslow County
• Weekly newspaper for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
• Kept locals and base inhabitants up to date with what was happening on base and what the Marines were achieving locally and globally.

New River Pioneer: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "New River Pioneer (New River, N.C.) 1942-1944." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn95072311/.

• Adress: Camp Lejeune (N.C.). Public Relations Office

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 1942
• Last Issue: 1944
• Publisher: New River, N.C.: [Marine Barracks, Post Recreation and Public Relations Office]
• Served: Onslow County
• Weekly newspaper for the Marine Corps
• The official publication for the U.S. Marines kept the base and surrounding area up to date on Marine affairs locally and globally.
• Available on microfilm from U.S. Marine Corps, Microfilm Unit.
• Succeeded by The Globe

Jacksonville Daily News: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "Jacksonville Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) 195? -1954." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn94058202/.

• Address: N.A.

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 1950
• Last Issue: 1954
• Publisher: Jacksonville Daily News Co.
• Served: Onslow County
• Daily (Mon.-Sat.)
• The newspaper covered local affairs in Onslow County.
• Available on microfilm via North Carolina Div of Archives & Hist, Raleigh, NC
• Succeeded by The Daily News

The Jacksonville Enterprise: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "The Jacksonville Enterprise (Jacksonville, N.C.) 19? -19?" Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074018/.

• Address: N.A.

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 19?
• Last Issue: 19?
• Publisher: M. Capps, Jr.
• Served: Onslow County
• Weekly issues
• The newspaper covered local affairs in Onslow County.
• Available on microfilm via North Carolina Div of Archives & Hist, Raleigh, NC

The Jacksonville Record: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "The Jacksonville Record (Jacksonville, N.C.) 194? -1947." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074059/.

• Address: N.A.

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 1940
• Last Issue: 1947
• Publisher: B. Page
• Served: Onslow County
• Weekly issues
• The newspaper covered local affairs in Onslow County.
• Available on microfilm via Onslow County Pub Library, Jacksonville, NC, and Univ of N Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
• Preceded by: The Onslow County Record
• Succeeded by: The News and Views

The News and Views: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "The News and Views (Jacksonville, North Carolina) 1946-1952 [Online Resource]." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021270628/.

• Address: N.A.

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 1946
• Last Issue: 1952
• Publisher: Billy Arthur
• Served: Onslow County
• Daily issues
• The newspaper covered local affairs in Onslow County.
• Digital issues are available on the Library of Congress website.

• Microfilms are available at East Carolina Univ, Greenville, NC; North Carolina Div of Archives & Hist, Raleigh, NC; Onslow County Pub Library, Jacksonville, NC, and Univ of N Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
• Preceded by: The Onslow County News and Views

The Onslow County News and Views: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "The Onslow County News and Views (Jacksonville, N.C.) 193? -1946." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074060/.

• Address: N.A.

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 1930
• Last Issue: 1946
• Publisher: Billy Arthur
• Served: Onslow County
• Semi-Weekly issues
• The newspaper covered local affairs in Onslow County.
• Digital issues are available on the Library of Congress website.
• Microfilms are available at East Carolina Univ, Greenville, NC; North Carolina Div of Archives & Hist, Raleigh, NC; Onslow County Pub Library, Jacksonville, NC, and Univ of N Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
• Succeeded by: The News and Views

The Onslow County Record: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "The Onslow County Record (Jacksonville, N.C.) 19? -194?" Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074058/.

• Address: N.A.

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 1900
• Last Issue: 1949
• Publisher: Wells-Oswald Pub. Co.
• Served: Onslow County
• Weekly issues
• The newspaper covered local affairs in Onslow County.
• Microfilms are available at Onslow County Pub Library, Jacksonville, NC, and Univ of N Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
• Succeeded by The Jacksonville Record

Onslow Messenger: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "Onslow Messenger (Jacksonville, N.C.) 190?-19?" Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074017/.

• Address: N.A.

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 190?
• Last Issue: 19?
• Publisher: Lionel Giles
• Served: Onslow County
• Weekly issues
• The newspaper covered local affairs in Onslow County.
• Microfilms are available at the North Carolina Div of Archives & Hist, Raleigh, NC.

Rage: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "Rage (Jacksonville, N.C.) 1971-197?" Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn94053396/.

• Address: N.A.

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 1971
• Last Issue: 1979
• Publisher: By and for Marines from Camp Lejeune, 1971-
• Served: Onslow County
• Monthly issues
• The newspaper covered local affairs in Onslow County.
• The paper covered military affairs for military personnel.
• Microfilms are available at New York University, New York, NY, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, and Univ Connecticut, Storrs, CT.

Tideland News: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "Tideland News (Swansboro, N.C.) 1979-Current." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn95072314/.

• Address: N.A.

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 1979
• Publisher: Double H Co.
• Serves: Onslow County
• Weekly issues
• The newspaper covers local affairs in Onslow County.
• Microfilms are available at the North Carolina Div of Archives & Hist, Raleigh, NC.

Topsail Voice: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "Topsail Voice (Hampstead, N.C.) 1991-Current." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn97064587/.

• Address: N.A.

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 1991
• Publisher: Steve Unger
• Serves: Onslow and Pender Counties
• Weekly issues
• The newspaper covers local affairs in Onslow and Pender Counties.
• Microfilms are available at the North Carolina Div of Archives & Hist, Raleigh, NC.

The White Oak Scene: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. "The White Oak Scene (Swansboro, N.C.) 1963-19?" Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074078/.

• Address: N.A.

• Phone Number: N.A.
• Hours of Operation: N.A.
• Established: 1963
• Publisher: Onslow Print Shop
• Serves: Onslow County
• Weekly issues
• The newspaper covers local affairs in Onslow County.
• Microfilms are available at the North Carolina Div of Archives & Hist, Raleigh, NC.

Books

Jacksonville (Onslow County, N.C.) City Directory [1948]: Co, Carolina Publishing. Jacksonville (Onslow County, N.C.) City Directory [1948]; 1948. HASSELL STREET Press, 2021.

• Author: Carolina Publishing Co.
• Date Published: 2021-09-09
• Publisher: Carolina Publishing Co.
• The book is a comprehensive look at Jacksonville and uses many primary sources.
• The book incentivizes investment and moves to Jacksonville by showing the city's rich history and ripe business opportunities.
• The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other literary establishments.

Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune: Murrell, Stratton C., and Jean Murrell. Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune. Arcadia Publishing, 2001.

• Author: Stratton C. Murrell and Jean Murrell
• Date Published: 2001-08-06
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• The book covers the time before Camp Lejeune came to Jacksonville when it was a rural farming community.
• The book follows a series of events like a hurricane and a world war, which led to Camp Lejeune's construction and Jacksonville's transformation.
• The book is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Google Play Books, and other literary establishments.

The Marines of Montford Point: America's First Black Marines: Murrell, Stratton C., and Jean Murrell. Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune. Arcadia Publishing, 2001.

• Author: Melton A. McLaurin
• Date Published: 2009-11-05
• Publisher: Univ of North Carolina Press
• The book tells the story of the first Black Marines who trained at Montford Point after FDR signed an executive order that forced the Marine Corps to allow the enlistment of African Americans.
• The book comprises interviews with sixty veterans, allowing them to tell the story in their own words.
• The book is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Google Play Books, and other literary establishments.

Documentaries

The Marines of Montford Point: Fighting for Freedom” "Montford Point Marines." Accessed February 26, 2024. https://library.uncw.edu/web/montford/viewing.html.

• Producer: Dustin Miller
• Date Produced: Mar 30, 2015
• Publisher: UNC Wilmington and South Carolina State Univ
• The documentary covers the Montford Point Marines' journey into the ranks and through the Second World War.
• Involving extensive interviews with veterans, the documentary acts as an excellent visual paired with the book about the Montford Marines and the museum in Jacksonville.
• The documentary is available on YouTube and through UNC Wilmington's library.

Created By: Chase M. Warchol, Public History Graduate Student at UNC Wilmington

Bibliography

Co, Carolina Publishing. Jacksonville (Onslow County, N.C.) City Directory [1948]; 1948. HASSELL STREET Press, 2021.

“Https://Montfordpointmarines.Org/Museum.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://montfordpointmarines.org/Museum.

“Jacksonville, NC - Official Website | Official Website.” Accessed February 28, 2024. https://www.jacksonvillenc.gov/.

“Libraries.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://lejeunenewriver.usmc-mccs.org/marine-family-support/education/libraries.

“Libraries.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://lejeunenewriver.usmc-mccs.org/marine-family-support/education/libraries.

“Library | Onslow County, NC.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.onslowcountync.gov/library.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “Jacksonville Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) 195?-1954.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn94058202/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “New River Pioneer (New River, N.C.) 1942-1944.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn95072311/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “Onslow Messenger (Jacksonville, N.C.) 190?-19??” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074017/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “Rage (Jacksonville, N.C.) 1971-197?” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn94053396/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “Spectrum (Jacksonville, N.C.) 1984-Current.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn84007724/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “The Jacksonville Enterprise (Jacksonville, N.C.) 1???-19??” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074018/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “The Jacksonville Record (Jacksonville, N.C.) 194?-1947.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074059/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “The News and Views (Jacksonville, North Carolina) 1946-1952 [Online Resource].” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021270628/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “The Onslow County News and Views (Jacksonville, N.C.) 193?-1946.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074060/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “The Onslow County Record (Jacksonville, N.C.) 19??-194?” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074058/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “The White Oak Scene (Swansboro, N.C.) 1963-19??” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn92074078/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “Tideland News (Swansboro, N.C.) 1979-Current.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn95072314/.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. “Topsail Voice (Hampstead, N.C.) 1991-Current.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn97064587/.

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. “End of an Era: Base Wraps Final Edition of The Globe.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.lejeune.marines.mil/News/Article/Article/2333246/end-of-an-era-base-wraps-final-edition-of-the-globe/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lejeune.marines.mil%2FNews%2FArticle%2FArticle%2F2333246%2Fend-of-an-era-base-wraps-final-edition-of-the-globe%2F.

McLaurin, Melton A. The Marines of Montford Point: America’s First Black Marines. Univ of North Carolina Press, 2009.

“Montford Point Marines.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://library.uncw.edu/web/montford/viewing.html.

Murrell, Stratton C., and Jean Murrell. Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune. Arcadia Publishing, 2001.

“Museum | Onslow County, NC.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.onslowcountync.gov/2134/Museum.

News, The Daily. “Jdnews.Com | The Daily News - Jacksonville, NC | Local News, Politics & Sports in Jacksonville, NC.” The Daily News, February 26, 2024. https://www.jdnews.com/.

Nicholas, Andrew R. Jacksonville in the 1920s. Arcadia Publishing, 2021.

normans-site. “Mortonsoneroomschoolhouse.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.mortonsoneroomschoolhouse.org/.

Onslow, Only in. “African American Heritage Trail | Only In Onslow,” August 24, 2019. https://www.onlyinonslow.com/african-american-heritage-trail/.

———. “Swansboro Area Heritage Center | Only In Onslow,” August 17, 2019. https://www.onlyinonslow.com/swansboro-area-heritage-center/.

“Pelletier House | Onslow County, NC.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://www.onslowcountync.gov/838/Pelletier-House.

USO of North Carolina. “Camp Lejeune.” Accessed February 26, 2024. https://northcarolina.uso.org/jacksonville.