Wayne County
Wayne County is located in the east central part of North Carolina and is
home to Seymour Johnson AFB. Established in 1779, the county is composed
of approximately 557 square miles. Wayne County is bordered by Wilson
County to the north, Greene County to the east and northeast, Lenoir County
to the east and southeast, Duplin County to the south, Sampson County to
the southwest, and Johnston County to the west. The area consists of rolling
hills with flat lands along the rivers and creeks. The county is bisected by the
Neuse River in the lower central portion of the county, which flows east. The
2010 population was 68,917.
Wayne County’s economy includes both agricultural and manufactured
products. The county’s agricultural products are tobacco, corn, wheat, oats,
vegetables, soybeans, cotton, hogs, poultry, dairy, and cucumbers.
Manufactured goods include pickles, relishes, furniture, textiles, banking
equipment, and electric transformers. The Mount Olive Company, which
exists in the town of the same name, is one of the leading pickle
manufacturers. Mount Olive is also the home of the Mount Olive College
founded in 1951. Wayne County is also the home of the Seymour Johnson
AFB, which contributes greatly to Wayne County’s economy.
Wayne County Courthouse
Prior to the establishment of Wayne County, the area made up the western
portion of Dobbs County where Native Americans originally occupied the
area, before early settlers migrated onto the territory. The county was
named after General Anthony Wayne, also known as “Mad Anthony” for his
courage. The General was a war hero during the American Revolutionary
War, and one of George Washington’s highly trusted generals.
Source: http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/917/entry
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Background Report