Sampson County North Carolina

From the 1700s' tar/turpentine tapping...

Driving east on Interstate 40 you can't miss Sampson County, North Carolina.  "The largest county in North Carolina, Sampson County stretches sixty miles long and thirty-five miles wide. At 963 square miles, our county is just about the size of the State of Rhode Island. Tucked into the southeast corner of the state known as the coastal plains, our picturesque county boasts gently rolling hills, rich farmland and friendly, bustling communities. Our climate is temperate, without winter and summer extremes, so it’s perfectly suited to our relaxed lifestyle. We’re conveniently located between the beautiful beaches of the east coast and the majestic Appalachian mountains of the west, and we are but an hour’s drive from our state capital.

Served by Interstate 40 east and west, and Interstate 95 north and south, Sampson County has an ideal transportation network to get you and your business where you need to go. Locally, there is a broad range of cultural and recreational activities from a performing arts series and community theatre to the best golf, hunting and fishing to be found.

More than 61,000 people reside in Sampson County and its eight incorporated municipalities of Autryville, Clinton (the county seat), Garland, Harrells, Newton Grove, Roseboro, Salemburg and Turkey. We are a hard-working people with a work ethic born in the fields of our agricultural heritage. Early settlers were drawn to Sampson County for its vast cropland and abundant timber, and over the years agriculture has grown into a $357 million dollar business. Sampson County is one of the State’s largest producers of poultry and vegetables and one of the nation’s largest producers of pork. We take pride in our heritage, but celebrate our recent prosperity as well. 

... to the 2000s' Sampson 4-H program.

Today, industries have realized that Sampson County enjoys not only a seasonal climate conducive to agricultural growth but also a progressive business climate that encourages diverse industrial growth as well. Our traditional values and strong work ethic ensure our business have a large, stable and productive work force. Our schools and community college system and our employment and training programs guarantee our workers are well trained."

We saw a Smithfield Chicken and BBQ Restaurant so we had to stop and taste the goodies.  We tried some chicken tenders and mustard sauce and boy were they good!  The tenders were huge pieces of white meat in a seasoning that rivals or surpasses the Colonel's special recipe.

I believe at one time they were the largest hog producing county in the United States.  I think my friends in Washington County, Iowa have been near the top ten producing counties.

Ed Winkle