Johnston County

by Steve Godwin
Fall 2000

Johnston County is a county full of history and heritage. Its roots of history include the home of Bentonville Battleground. Who could forget the Tobacco Farm Life Museum and the Atkinson's Mill to demonstrate the agriculture heritage?

Johnston County, as far as land mass is concerned, is a fairly large county. However, when talking population size it doesn't rank highly among the likes of other counties such as Wake, Mecklenburg, and Durham, to name a few. Historically, Johnston County is mainly a county made up of farming communities. It is home of ten towns/cities: Smithfield (the county seat), Selma, Pine Level, Clayton, Benson, Kenly, Princeton, Four Oaks, Wilson Mills, and Meadow. Currently, Johnston County is seeing a change from agriculture to a hint of industrialization. Around parts of Benson and Clayton one can find development underway. These two areas are significant because of location. Benson is significant because it is where I-40 and I-95 intersect. Clayton, on the other hand, is only minutes away from Raleigh and with Raleigh comes the Research Triangle Park. Whatever the current trend is it is certain that the citizens of Johnston County will never forget its history and heritage.

The Bentonville Battleground is the site of the last major battle of the civil war. It was also the largest battle of the civil war to take place on North Carolina soil. The confederate troops led by General Johnston fought the troops of General Sherman who was making his historical track from Atlanta to Wilmington. It is a site of great popularity in Johnston County despite the fact that it was a Union victory. The battle took place on March 19-21, 1965. On the site is the famous Harper house where both sides facilitated. It was a plantation house that was turned into a hospital to treat the wounded from both sides. The Harper house exhibit still displays the use of the house as both a home place and a hospital. Next door is the actual Bentonville Battleground Museum where artifacts that were found and collected are on display. Anything from cannons to cracked cannon balls to old muskets that were actually used during the battle. In addition to the Museum and the Harper house is a confederate graveyard of about 360 soldiers. Every fifth year they have a re-enactment. Volunteer Re-enactment soldiers dress up as confederate and union soldiers and camp out during the days of the battle. Also, they line up in formation and put on a demonstration of what the battle looked like. They fire cannon and musket replicas at each other (empty rounds I might add). Admission to the museum and Harper house is free and free parking for vehicles and RVs as well. I strongly suggest visiting the museum and Harper house and come watch the re-enactment if possible.

"The Tobacco Farm Life museum is a living time capsule, offering a window back in time though which visitors experience a way of life which has all but disappeared. The unique agricultural lifestyle of the family tobacco farm has impacted the history of North Carolina, as well as our nation." The Farm Life Museum is a 6,000 sq. ft. restored farmstead that includes a main house, detached kitchen, smoke house, tobacco barn, and reproduction pack house. In the gallery, one can see authentic farming tools and household implements. "All of this takes you back to a lifestyle built upon honesty, hard work, traditional values, deep religious convictions, supportive neighborhood team work and very close family ties." Upon visitation one can see flue-cured tobacco, a way in which tobacco was processed during the Great Depression Era. Tobacco became the first major cash producing agricultural crop in the late 1800's. Tobacco's presence has impacted this region ever since.

John Richardson built the Atkinson Mill in 1757. Richardson owned a 2,472-acre plantation on which the mill and the pond are located. It was built during the colonial period of United States history. The most significant historical fact of the mill is that it has been in operation continuously for over 240 years. It is unique in that products are still being produced and sold at local grocery stores. Products include hush puppy mix, biscuit mix, funnel cake mix, seafood breader, and chicken breader. These products can be found with Brand names such as Cattail Milling Co. and Boddie Milling Co. along with Atkinson's Milling Co. Today, the mill is water powered grist mill in that cornmeal is stone ground. So if you are looking for good ole' fashion quality hush puppy mix I suggest any product from Atkinson's. Orders for products can be taken 24 hours a day from the actual mill. Also, the pond on which the mill is located is a great place for the outdoorsmen. One is able to fish for bass, brim, and crappie.

In conclusion, Johnston offers an array of evidence to prove its agricultural based heritage along with it historical significance. As stated before, Johnston County still remains predominantly agricultural based. I strongly suggest Johnston County to visitors who are interested in history and agricultural history.

Works Cited

Johnston County, North Carolina. http://www.co.johnston.nc.us.

Bentonville Battleground. http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/bentonvi/bentonvi.htm.

Tobacco Farm Life Museum. http://www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/.

Created November 28, 2000
Updated May 17, 2003