In 1759 the General Assembly of North Carolina passed an act to establish three tobacco inspection warehouses in what was then Dobbs County. It was at the site of one of these warehouses, located along the banks of the Neuse River, that "Kingston" was originally established. The community was named for King George III of England. In 1784, following the end of the Revolutionary War, the people of Kingston requested that the letter "g" be dropped.

Kinston was incorporated in 1826. By 1885, Kinston was home to a number of merchants, three carriage factories, a harness factory, two turpentine distilleries, gristmills, sawmills, and several doctors and lawyers.

The late nineteenth and early twentieth century brought new life to the Lenoir County area and launched an era of progress which continues to this day. Tremendous strides have been and continue to be made in transportation, agriculture, industry, education, medicine, public services and religion.

When good transportation became vital to the future of the area Lenoir County built one of the finest road systems in the state. When the cotton economy declined, Lenoir County farmers grew a new crop, tobacco and became the "World's Foremost Tobacco Center". When industry was needed the people of Kinston built factories and millls. The list is endless.

Today Kinston has the distinction of being the home of the world's first Global TransPark (GTP), a 21st century, integrated, multimodal manfacturing and transportation center. It is a true computer age Industrial complex, spanning over 15,000 acres, which integrates just-in-time manufacturing systems and surface transportation systems with the global air freight network. The GTP provides the logistical environment to succeed in the world of international industry and trade.

At the center is the Kinston Regional Jetport, with the longest runway east of the Mississippi. This convenient airport is serviced by Delta Connection carrier, Atlantic Southeast Airlines and has facilities for corporate and private aircraft.

Kinston has a citywide population of nearly 25,000 residents and more than 60,00 residents countywide. Within its borders of 402 miles, Lenoir County encompasses 12 townships and numerous charming neighborhoods and communities.

Known for its ideal climate and the array of world-class family attractions, including the CSS Neuse State Historic Site and Gov. Richard Caswell Memorial, Neuseway Planetarium, Health and Science Museum, Kinston offers a wide variety of things to see and do, appealing to guests from around the world.

Kinston's arts and culture include art galleries, museums, the only Planetarium in Eastern North Carolina, a full size replica of the Civil War Ironclad CSS Neuse, Civil War Trails, parks and much more.

Kinston features three golf courses, a variety of exciting participatory and spectator sports including the Kinston Indians Baseball Club an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians and Kinston Drag Strip which holds more than 40 events each year. Annual special events and unique holiday offerings, multicultural festivals and celebrations, colorful neighborhoods and communities can be found throughout Kinston.

The most difficult decision to make regarding a vacation in Kinston is determining what to do and see among the diverse variety of offerings. Kinston offers a vacation experience for everyone.