Waynesboro, deriving its name from General Anthony Wayne or possibly Wayne's family home, is an independent city located within the confines of Augusta County in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,520. It is located in the Shenandoah Valley, near many important historical markers of the Civil War and Shenandoah National Park. A portion of Interstate 64 falls within the city limits of Waynesboro, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, and the Appalachian Trail are less than five miles away. The town is perhaps best known for being the home of P. Buckley Moss and the P. Buckley Moss Museum, which attracts 45,000 visitors annually. A large DuPont plant (now Invista and owned by Koch Industries) and the associated Benger Laboratory where Lycra (spandex) was invented, as well as a large textile mill called Wayn-Tex (now owned by Mohawk Industries), were significant employers for residents through much of the 20th century. Waynesboro is home to the corporate headquarters of Ntelos (a regional wireless and telecommunications company serving Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio). Tourism, industrial production, and retail remain vital to the Waynesboro economy.
Waynesboro is located at 38°4'11" North, 78°53'40" West (38.069874, -78.894517).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.8 km2 (15.4 mi2). 39.8 km2 (15.4 mi2) of it is land and 0.1 km2 (0.04 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 0.13% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 19,520 people, 8,332 households, and 5,432 families residing in the city. The population density is 490.7/km2 (1,270.8/mi2). There are 8,863 housing units at an average density of 222.8/km2 (577.0/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 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 are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,332 households out of which 28.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% are married couples living together, 14.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% are non-families. 30.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.31 and the average family size is 2.85.
In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $32,686, and the median income for a family is $40,772. Males have a median income of $30,943 versus $22,185 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,932. 12.8% of the population and 11.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.5% of those under the age of 18 and 6.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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.
Source:
WaynesboroVirginia.com
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