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About
Johnston County
Johnston
County was formed in 1746 from Craven
County. It is named for Gabriel Johnston,
royal governor of North Carolina from 1734
to 1752.
Johnston
County, North Carolina offers great
connections to history, entertainment,
dining, lodging, and outlet shopping, along
with a generous helping of true southern
hospitality. Located midway between New York
and Florida on I-95 and at the cross-roads
of I-95 and I-40, Johnston County connects
the nation's North and South with East and
West. Its location places it only a two-hour
drive from Atlantic Coast Beaches and a
four-hour drive from the Blue Ridge
Mountains.
Municipalities
Johnston
County is home to ten towns, listed in order
of size: Smithfield (county seat since
1771), Clayton, Selma, Benson, Kenly, Four
Oaks, Pine Level, Princeton, Wilson's Mills,
and Micro.
Attractions
The
Bentonville
Battlefield State Historic Site
is the location of the last major battle of
the Civil War and the largest military
engagement ever fought on North Carolina
soil. Atkinson's Mill is a working gristmill
dating back 240 years.
The Tobacco
Farm Life Museum
preserves an authentic slice of eastern
North Carolina's rural heritage. The
Ava Gardner
Museum
celebrates the career of the film legend who
was born and raised near Smithfield. The
Johnston County
Heritage
Center preserves
the history and material culture of Johnston
County with an exceptional collection of
materials that includes 2,000 books, 800
reels of microfilm, 300 maps and atlases,
50,000 photographic images, 400 private
collections of books and papers, and
vertical files on genealogy, biography, and
local history. Shoppers far and wide visit
the 75 discount outlets and shops at Factory
Stores of America in Smithfield. For more
information about what to see and do in
Johnston County, see the
Johnston
County Visitors Bureau web site.
Schools
Operating under the
philosophy that every child can learn when a
school system respects the individuality of
each learner,
Johnston
County Schools
structures their curriculum, programs, and
staff to foster a flame for learning within
every child that will last a lifetime. In
the elementary schools, children learn by
hands-on observation, a literature-based
reading program, and a process-oriented
writing program. In the middles, core
academic teacher teams, teacher-based
guidance programs, and exploratory
curriculum courses strive to make use of the
best features of both elementary and high
school programs to serve this unique age
group.
Since 1969
Johnston
Community College
has been providing an affordable higher
education alternative that has helped
thousands of the region's adult population
become better equipped for the job market,
while also providing a means for local
citizens to earn high school diplomas and
learn special skills to improve their
quality of life. The college transfer
program helps many young people cut the
often insurmountable costs of a college
education and at the same time ease the
transition from high school to a four-year
college.
Lifestyle
The
communities of Johnston County have many
things in common--a relaxed atmosphere and
friendly people. From community festivals to
sporting events, Johnston County is a
kaleidoscope of unique sights, sounds, ideas
and experiences complemented by a colorful
array of rural and small-town history and
culture. |
