Chartered in 1777, Smithfield, the county seat, is the hub of business and government activity for Johnston County. Smithfield was named for John Smith who owned much of the land on both sides of the Neuse River on which he created the town commons as a public park. Today, Town Commons is the location of the Historic Hastings House, the Boat Ramp and the Mountains to the Sea Trail that connects downtown to Smithfield Community Park, a 3-mile walk.

Also in downtown Smithfield, you will find several blocks of revitalized stores, historic buildings, restaurants, shopping and attractions like the Ava Gardner Museum, Neuse Little Theatre and the Johnston County Heritage Center.