The Wilmington morning star., 1946-02-17
Great Awakening
Jacksonville And Onslo1v Are
Speeding Ahead Industrially

Jacksonville is located had many
potentialities, it, along with many
other like communities, was so
close to the sea that inland high
ways with attendant faster trans
portation left it stranded, il a
manner speaking. There were too
many waterways close to the sea
for ! highways and railroads to
span, and therein lay one reason
for the arteries of commerce to
be constructed further inland.
Strong Traditions
This left a coastal country which
grew up on tradition and a way
Of life that, in its way, was very
desirable, but not very progress
sive. 1t took a world-shaking war
to bring to light what has proven
to be one of the fiaest-and, po-
tentially-one of the most capable
Of being developed-sections in the
South. It is history now how the
federal government chose Onslow
county adjacent to Jacksonville as
sites for two of the most impor-
tant military installations in the
United States: Camp Davis and
Camp Lejeune. These sites con-
tanned all the natural conditions
necessary to the training OF a
modern wartime military ma
chine.
With the natural influx Of ci-
william and military personnel,
Jacksonville and Onslow county
became overtaxed in its housing
facilities, and the FHA and other
government agencies stepped into
the picture and built hundreds of
homes in the city limits and near
er Camp Lejeune, this latter prof.
ect, Midway Park, containing 1900
units. Therefore, as result, Jack
sonville and this part Of Onslow
County is modern, progressive
community of m d ern homes,
which, with the levelling off of
wartime populations, is for the
first time in several years, able
is approximately able to take care
of the needs of its citizens and
newcomers.
Population Grows
During the war years the town
of Jacksonville grew from a popu-
lation of few hundred to what
is assuredly at the present time
a population of several thousands.
In order to make certain what this
increase is, the Jacksonville
Chamber of Commerce under
wrote an official interim census.
and this will be conducted by the
Bureau of the Census at an earIy
date-sometime in February, it is
expected.
Attracted by the increase in this
population, many new merchants
distributors were attracted to
Jacksonville. New and modern
business buildings were construct
ed-and are still being construct
ed-an over the city, and the town
today presents the appearance of
the modern and flourishing small
city that it is. Under the impetus
of its added citizens, retail sales
by leaps and bounds, and
swept, in 1943 to the unbelievable
high of SO million dollars.
Added Impetus L
The fathers and businessmen 4
saw the necessity of |
to promote the con-
tinued growth of the city and its !
home county of Onslow. This
called for far-reacaing plan of
promotion whi C h is being fur
thered in every way possible by
the county the town officials the
Kiwanis Club the Lions Club the
Chamber Of Commerce and other
not only in Jackson
vile but the other towns Of the
county Richlands Swansboro
Holly Ridge and others.
To. begin with it was realized
hat a more balanced industry
would be necessary to offset the
'ather lop-sided picture revealed
" retail sales. As a result suc-
:essful negotiations are being car
led on with many manufacturers
ackers caaneries professors