Local Area

HOLLY RIDGE
There are nearly 400 businesses based in Holly Ridge, including restaurants, healthcare facilities, construction services and churches, approximately 20 miles south of Jacksonville on U.S. Highway 17. More than 830 people live in town and two of the largest industries in the county are located in Holly Ridge.

The local police department sponsors a youth league. Each year, the community sponsors the Little Miss Holly Pageant, a tradition that began during 1970 in Sumter, S.C. This year, the state pageant will award more than $35,000 in scholarships, in addition to other dazzling prizes. Another annual festival, the Holly Festival, is held on the first Saturday of November. The Holly Festival kicks off a series of holiday-themed events, including the Holly Ridge Christmas Parade and many other events highlighting local cooking, crafts and children's activities.

During the 1940s, thousands of Army and Navy troops lived at Camp Davis, a military base on U.S. Highway 17. Missile testing on nearby Topsail Island was based at Holly Ridge and the town was once considered as a possible site for the U.S. space program.

The missile project that evolved into the space program moved south to Florida and Holly Ridge secured its place in the history of the U.S. Missile Program.

JACKSONVILLE AND ONSLOW COUNTY
Situated along the New River next to Camp Lejeune is the city of Jacksonville in Onslow County. Settled during the early 1700s, Onslow County has a rich and diverse history stemming from the agricultural, timber and fishing pursuits begun by the English and Scottish natives who settled here.

Since 1941, Onslow County has been home to Camp Lejeune Marines and Sailors, many of whom relocate here following retirement or discharge. Onslow County offers a wide range of services for service members and their families including a public school system with nearly 25 elementary schools, eight middle schools and eight high schools; Coastal Carolina Community College, which offers programs in general studies, fine arts, natural sciences and technical skills; a public library system with branches throughout the county; a commercial airport served by two major carriers; and a 150-bed hospital in Jacksonville. Jacksonville is the business, retail, medical, banking and cultural center for Onslow County. Marines, Sailors and their families use a wide variety of services provided by the city and join in many community events held there throughout the year.

A visible link between Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune is the United Services Organization located near the downtown area along the Jacksonville Waterfront Park. The Jacksonville USO is the oldest continuously operating USO, having been founded during 1941.

Another symbol of this bond is the Beirut Memorial, located off Lejeune Boulevard near Camp Johnson. The Beirut Memorial project was started by a Jacksonville citizens committee to honor the 271 Marines, Sailors and Soldiers killed during the Oct. 23, 1983, bombing of the Marines Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.

Dedicated on the third anniversary of the bombing, this memorial serves as the community's tribute to those whose lives were taken in Beirut and showcases the close bond shared by Marines and the community here.

For families resettling here, Onslow County offers a diversity in landscape, people and culture. Part southern and part cosmopolitan, Onslow County has grown and developed with Camp Lejeune. The area welcomes newly arriving Marines, Sailors and their families.

SWANSBORO
Located on the White Oak River to the northeast of Jacksonville is the quaint town of Swansboro. The restored waterfront area is complete with antique shops, arts and crafts stores fine seafood restaurants. Swansboro was settled more than 200 years ago as a shipping port and many of the original buildings still stand today. The waterfront area comes alive every second Saturday in October, with the sights and sounds of the annual Mullet Festival. In addition to the harborfront cookout, there are games, local artist exhibits and the stunning Swansboro Mullet Festival Parade.

RICHLANDS
To the northwest of Jacksonville is the farming community of Richlands. Known as the "Town of Perfect Water," Richlands boasts fertile soil that grows its crops of tobacco, corn and cotton. Every September, on the Saturday following Labor Day, the townspeople celebrate Richland Farmer's Day, beginning with a 9 a.m. parade and ending with a spectacular fireworks display. Another annual famous tradition, the Richlands Crafts Fair, occurs on the first weekend of October. Combined with the classic auto shows, the crafts fair draws people from all over North Carolina.

SNEADS FERRY
At Camp Lejeune's back door, on the New River, is the two centuries old fishing community of Sneads Ferry. Each August, the community celebrates its fishing heritage with the Shrimp Festival. Sneads Ferry is famous for its wonderful seafood restaurants. The hardiness of the commercial fishermen can be seen at Fulcher's Landing, where commercial fishermen bring in their catch. Sneads Ferry also boasts one of the finest golf courses in the area. There are several nice residential areas as well.

TOPSAIL ISLAND
To the south of the base is the oceanfront community of Topsail Beach. Deriving its name from colonial days when merchant vessels watched for the tops of the sails of pirate ships lurking behind sand dunes, North Topsail Beach offers beach front living for those desiring sand, sun and surf.

Numerous condominiums and duplexes have sprung up through recent years along the miles of oceanfront, offering serene living conditions for Marines and families living there. In addition to the white sand beaches, the Topsail area offers other recreational pursuits including some of the best ocean fishing available anywhere. Sport fishermen can choose surf, pier or chartered boats to wet their lines.

LOCAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Banks
Ten full service banks are located in Jacksonville:
Bank of America (910) 355-4238
Branch Banking and
Trust Company (910) 989-2900
Cooperative Bank (910) 347-6444
Country Wide Bank (910) 346-3141
First Citizens Bank
and Trust Co (910) 455-3122
FSNB Armed Services Bank (910) 937-0265
Marine Federal Credit Union
Brynn Marr Road (910) 577-1310
Navy Federal Credit Union
Western Boulevard (910) 353-2345
RBC Bank (910) 577-0500
Wachovia Bank and Trust Co (910) 346-5010

Bicycle Registration
Bicycle registration is required within the city limits and may be obtained from the Jacksonville Police Department at 206 N. Marine Blvd., U.S. 17, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (910) 455 1472.

The Onslow County Library
The Onslow County Library is located on Doris Avenue East and is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. For information, call (910) 455-7350.

Daily Newspapers
The Jacksonville Daily News, located on Bell Fork Road, is published mornings, seven days a week. Home delivery is available. The office is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (910) 353 1171. The Wilmington Morning Star is published each morning, including Sunday. For home delivery, call (800) 222-2385 and ask for the circulation department. The Raleigh News and Observer can be reached at (800) 365-6115.

Driver's Licenses
North Carolina driver's licenses may be obtained at the Highway Patrol Station on U.S. 17 South. The office is open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call (910) 347-3613.

Garbage and Trash Pick Up
Within Jacksonville city limits, garbage is picked up twice weekly and yard waste (grass, leaves, etc.) is picked up once a week. Please call The Jacksonville Sanitation Department, for pick-up schedules at (910) 938-5338.

Hammock's Beach State Park
Approximately 12 miles northeast of Camp Lejeune, between Jacksonville and Swansboro, sits Hammock's Beach State Park, nestled along the Atlantic Ocean on Bear Island. Recently identified as one of the top beaches nationwide by a research group, Hammock's Beach looks today as it has for hundreds of years. Lack of commercial development has helped the state park maintain its pristine setting. Access is available only by ferry boat, which keeps regular hours during the spring and summer months.

Hospital Facilities
The Onslow Memorial Hospital is located on Western Boulevard across from Jacksonville Mall. Visiting hours are seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For information, call (910) 577 2345.

Jacksonville City Hall
The City Hall is located at 211 Johnson Blvd. All city offices are open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (910) 938-5200.

Jacksonville Fire Departments
The Jacksonville Fire Department has four fire stations and 20 Volunteer Fire Departments that are located in and around Onslow County. To report a fire anywhere in Onslow County, call 911. For information, call (910) 455-8080.

Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce
Founded during 1944 on the philosophy of providing service to both people and businesses in the community, the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce has grown and adapted with the city.

The chamber's vision is to be recognized as a model in building collaborative partnerships that encourage business growth and sustainable community development.

The chamber's mission is to be the voice of business in collaborative partnerships that work to build and enhance a healthy business climate and vibrant quality of life.

Ambassadors Club
Business Expo
Education Committee
Education Golf Tournament
Governmental Affairs
Governmental Affairs Steering Committee
Holiday Parade
Leadership Advisory
Leadership Association
Military Affairs
Military Affairs Steering Committee
Spelling Bee
For more information, contact:
Greater Jacksonville-Onslow
Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 765, 1099 Gum Branch Road
Jacksonville, NC 28541
(910) 347-3141; Fax (910) 347-4705

License Plates
North Carolina vehicle license plates and titles are available from the agency's office, located at 901 Hargett St. They are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (910) 347-1000 for more information. It is important to note that the office services a large number of patrons from all over Onslow County. Military pay days and the last week of each month are the busiest and people can avoid long lines by avoiding these times.

Onslow County Fire Departments
County fire departments are located in Holly Ridge, Maysville, Richlands, Sneads Ferry and Swansboro. Dial 911 to report a fire or request assistance.

Onslow County Museum
Located at Hargett and Wilmington Streets in nearby Richlands, the Onslow County Museum offers exhibits of general nature to include fine art. The exhibits change every two months and there is no admission charge. Business hours are daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children, students and seniors.

Onslow County Sheriff's Department
The Sheriff's Office is located across from the Onslow County Court House at 701 Mill Ave. Their emergency number is 911. Call the administration office at (910) 455-3113 for more information.

Progress Energy Carolinas
Arrangements for electric service can be made by calling (800) 452-2777. A minor deposit may be needed.

Scouting Programs
The Girl Scout Council of Coastal Carolina can be contacted at (800) 558-9297.

Social Security
The Social Security Office is located at 2836 Neuse Blvd., New Bern, N.C. However, a Representative of the office visits the Onslow County Council on Aging at 105 Third St., Jacksonville every Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For detailed information, call (252) 637-1703 or (800) 772-1213.

Social Services
The Onslow County Social Services Office, located at 1915 Onslow Drive, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call (910) 455 4145. For details concerning Medicaid, Aid to Families with Children or food stamps, call (910) 455-1603.

Embarq
Applications for telephone service are taken by phone. Please call (910) 347-9011 to apply. A deposit may be required unless credit can be established.

State Highway Patrol
The Highway Patrol Office is located on U.S. 17 and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call (910) 347-1751. During evenings or on weekends, patrol officers can be reached through the Jacksonville Police Department by calling (910) 455-1472 or the Sheriff's Office by calling (910) 455-3113.

USO of North Carolina
The USO of North Carolina Jacksonville center, located at 9 Tallman St. in downtown Jacksonville has been serving the Marines and Sailors of Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River since April 1942. It has been devoted to enhancing the quality of life for U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families and creating a cooperative relationship between the military community and the supporting civilian community. The Jacksonville USO is a recreational facility equipped with regulation size pool tables, ping-pong tables, a video arcade and three TV rooms with DVD and video libraries. A full service snack bar makes the best milkshakes in town to compliment our great chili cheese fries. There is a large auditorium perfect to hold unit functions and KV activities. Our cyber café boasts 10 free Internet-linked computers. The Jacksonville USO is the oldest continuously operating USO in the world. We service more than 75,000 service members, their families and retirees annually. Our outreach programs range from a free food pantry to deployment care packages and rack packs for our returning warriors.

During the winter holiday months, particularly Thanksgiving and Christmas, we serve a free holiday feast to an attendance ranging from 600 to more than 2,000. The center hours are, Monday through Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. During August 2004, the USO of North Carolina opened its first satellite center at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Located on the second floor of Terminal A, the center offers southern hospitality with overstuffed recliners to relax in while watching the large screen TV, a children's area, a cyber café with free Internet access and a kitchenette with free snacks and beverages. The RDU center is open every day of the year, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.  read more...

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