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History
Before the American Revolution and shortly thereafter, the
areas west of the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains were known as the
frontier. Travel over the mountains in a wagon was near impossible, except
where nature afforded some gap between them. One such gap, Rockfish
Gap, is located near Waynesboro,
making the area a stop for many who wished to venture west.
The area
was commonly referred to as Teasville (or Teesville) at that time. It was named
after the tavern there owned by Jacob Teas and his wife. It is believed that
many stayed the night at the Teas’ tavern, including George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and the Marquee de Chastellux. (It is fair to point
out that there are few taverns of this period in which Washington and Jefferson
are not claimed to have visited). In a letter from the Marquee de Chastellux,
the Marquee describes the tavern as one of the worst in America and affirms that Jefferson
had stayed there and told him of the place. Shortly
after Gen. Anthony Wayne’s important victory at Fallen
Timbers, the area began to be called Waynesborough. Since many settlers to
the area were from Pennsylvania, it is no small wonder that they would want
their new land named after a hero from their home.
As early as
1798, the current
downtown area was plotted and sold. On January 8, 1801, the town
Waynesborough was officially recognized by the state of Virginia.Some of the
remaining buildings from this period of its history include the Plumb House (now a museum open for tours seasonally)
and the Coiner-Quesenbury House built in 1806 (this is believed
to be the first brick house built in the town).
The town of
Waynesboro was officially incorporated in 1834 as a part of Augusta County.
Population
growth to the town was slow at first. In 1810, the town had a
population of 250. By 1860,
that number grew to 457. The town maintained a steady stream of visitors,
however, due to its position on the Valley
Turnpike, which took advantage of connections through Rockfish
Gap. On March 2, 1865, Waynesboro was the site of the last battle of
the Civil War for the Confederate Lt. General Jubal
A. Early. The battle lasted only 20 minutes, and was a final blow for the
Confederate Army in the Shenandoah Valley. After losing this battle,
Early relinquished the town and the valley to General Philip
Sheridan. Some of the buildings from this period still show their scars
from this battle.
After the
war, Waynesboro
became the junction of two railroad lines. The Norfolk and Western (running East to West) and
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (running
north to south) lines met near Waynesboro,
giving the town the nickname as the "Iron Cross".
In 1890, land to the east
of Waynesboro
was plotted and sold. Within that year, the Town of Basic City was incorporated. A rivalry
soon developed between the two towns, each attempting to best the other as the
more developed area. (One important difference between the two was that Waynesboro had been a
"dry" area since before the Civil War. This meant that no alcohol could be sold within the town’s borders.
Such was not the case in Basic
City, where bars were
opened for the benefit of Basic’s citizens (as well as any others!) The two
towns voted for and approved of consolidation into a single town to be called
Waynesboro-Basic in 1923.
Due to the duplicitous actions of some of Waynesboro’s
city leaders, namely Guy Branamen, the petition given to the state referred
to the new town as merely Waynesboro.
This became official in 1924,
to the great outrage of the people of Basic City.
Since then
the town has made numerous territorial acquisitions from areas of Augusta
County and officially became an independent city in 1948. In 2005, Waynesboro established a new charter,
repealing one in place since 1948.
Location
The City of
Waynesboro is centrally located in the eastern
portion of Virginia's scenic and historic
Shenandoah Valley, just 90 miles northwest of the state capital of Richmond and 125 miles southwest of the nation's capital Washington DC.
Waynesboro is located in the Valley and Ridge Physiographic
Province with elevations
ranging from 1,050 feet to 1,800 fee tabove sea level. The average elevation of
the Blue Ridge Parkway Appalachian Trail is 2,200 feet. The South River, a
south fork of the Shenandoah
River, runs directly
through the City.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,520 people, 8,332
households, and 5,432 families residing in the city. The population density was 490.7/km² (1,270.8/mi²).
There were 8,863 housing units at an average density of 222.8/km² (577.0/mi²).
The racial makeup of the city was 86.46% White, 9.96% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.09% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races.
3.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were
8,332 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living
with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female
householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 30.1% of all
households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who
was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the
average family size was 2.85.
In the city
the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to
24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of
age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were
88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.8 males.
The median
income for a household in the city was $32,686, and the median income for a
family was $40,772. Males had a median income of $30,943 versus $22,185 for
females. The per capita income for the city was $17,932. 12.8%
of the population and 11.0% of families were below the poverty
line. 21.5% of those under the age of 18 and 6.0% of those 65 and older
were living below the poverty line.
Recreation/Attractions/Dining and Shopping
Downtown Waynesboro is a Virginia
Main Street community and Virginia historic district. Our
pedestrian-friendly environment is home to businesses like specialty and
service providers, museums, arts and cultural centers, unique restaurants and
lodging opportunities. The South River runs
through our downtown, one of only two urban fisheries in the State.
Downtown Waynesboro
is the place to be for festivals - with the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival in
April, one of the largest Soap Box Derbys in the nation, the Virginia Fall
Foliage Festival First Night Waynesboro for New Year's Eve and many others in
between.
Website
A Tradition of Craftsmanship and Fine Design Since 1890. This national home
furnishings company produces high quality, sand-cast home and garden
accessories with classic detailing and clean lines, beautiful accents in a
variety of home environments. Visit their factory outlet showrooms for
lighting, garden, fireplace and gift pieces.
1010 East Main St.
or the Waynesboro
Outlet Village
Phone:540-949-9432
Discover the art of one of American's most celebrated and popular artists -
Patricia Buckley Moss. The P. Buckley Moss Museum houses the permanent
collection of her work. Tours
and video presentations are available. A sales gallery offers a selection of
prints and other gift items. Location: 150 P. Buckley Moss Museum Drive Phone: 540-949-6473
- Waynesboro Heritage
Museum
The Waynesboro Historical Museum
is located in downtown at the corner of Main Street & Wayne Avenue. The
museum has a wonderful collection of pictures, photographs, antiques,
collectibles, a world-class doll collection and a Valley Native American
artifacts collection. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 until
4:00 or for large group tours by appointment Location: West Main Street and Wayne Avenue Phone: 540-943-3WHF
**Closed until Fall 2006 due to renovations**
- Grand Caverns
Regional Park
Website
Visit these
magnificent treasures. Natural Chimneys and Grand Caverns are among some of the
oldest attractions in the United
States. Nestled in Augusta County,
Natural Chimneys offers an array of wonderful activities for the entire family including
camping, swimming, biking, and even an annual jousting tournament. Augusta County's Grand Caverns too has its own
unique recreational opportunities with picnicking, hiking, cavern tours, and
more come and visit Natural Chimneys and Grand Caverns today for vacations,
school field trips, a day of sight-seeing, recreation, or a breathtaking
display of geology. Phone:540-249-5705
Tour the streets that now cover the grounds of the Battle of Waynesboro. Stop
at the Plumb House Museum,
which was between the battle lines, and pick up a map and the story of the
battle. The map features the battlefield location of various military units
involved. Restoration continues on this piece of history that is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Register, and
Virginia Civil War Trails Location; 1021 West Main Street
540-943-3WHF. Open Thursday/Saturday 10AM – 4PM.
50 Lodge Lane, Suite 106, Waynesboro, VA 24482,
Located in Verona, 540-248-1110, The largest antique mall in
the Shenandoah Valley, this 60,000 square foot mall features over 70 dealers
and 250 booths offering a vast selection of antiques, including jewelry,
pottery, furniture, collectibles, books, china, glassware, art, primitives,
civil war, weaponry, vintage clothing, and toys.
- Valley Framing Studio & Gallery
328 West Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980, 540-943-7529,
Specializing in limited edition
prints, as well as a carefully selected group of originals, featuring
spectacular scenes, such as mountain views, rural landscapes, valley farms,
wildlife, and seascapes, this gallery is the area's most comprehensive art
gallery carrying the largest inventory of art and artists in the Shenandoah
Valley. They also provide custom, professional framing services.
- Cuban Crafters Cuban Style Cigars
Purveyors of premium cigars. Here you will find
cigars, humidors, cigar gifts and cigar accessories.
633 South Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980, 540-943-8786, Experience
the beneficial effects of a therapeutic massage and luxurious spa treatments
while at this day spa that also offers an array of facial and body treatments.
- B. W. Fancy's and Bargain Wagon Warehouse
1436 White Hill Road, Waynesboro, VA 24477, Located
in Stuarts Draft, 540-885-5575, If you are searching for a
specialty collectible item, visit this nostalgic store that carries a wide
range of gifts and collectibles, including Boyds, Precious Moments, Nascar,
handmade log furniture, dolls, candles, and lighthouses.
1362
Jefferson Highway, Waynesboro, VA 22939,
Located in Fishersville, 540-886-2486, This gift shop offers
something for everyone on your list and contains a variety of unique gifts,
silk and dried floral arrangements, antiques, primitives, and reproduction
furniture.
1842 Jefferson Highway, Waynesboro, VA 22939, Located in Fishersville, 540-941-3499,
2 story farmhouse Take a trip down memory lane while at this country gift
shop that is located in a two story farmhouse and offers many rooms filled with
beautiful items, such as candles, folk art, lighting, handmade reproduction
furniture, handmade dolls, berry garlands, and seasonal items.
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