The City of Waynesboro is an independent city that is surrounded by Augusta County in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. According to the 2010 census, the population was 21,006. The City includes 15.2 square miles, 15 square miles of land and 0.2 square miles of water. The population density in 2010 was 1,400 people per square mile.

Waynesboro is the home of Fishburne Military School, a boarding school for boys in the 8^th through 12^th grades.

History

Waynesboro is named for General Anthony Wayne, an army officer during the Revolutionary War. He and his militia fought both in Pennsylvania and in Virginia, where he fought alongside Lafayette. He later served in the State Legislature of Pennsylvania for a brief time, and then was elected to the U.S. Congress by the State of Georgia. He was recalled to the military to lead an expedition in the Northwest Indian War.  George Washington placed Wayne in command of a newly formed military force called the “Legion of the United States”. While in this position, he created the first military training facility to prepare professional soldiers for his force. Wayne won a decisive victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. Shortly thereafter, the town began to be called Waynesboro.

Waynesboro was located only six miles from Jarmans Gap, which was the gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains used by wagon trains and others headed west. The town was convenient as a stop-over point for these travelers. The area that is now “downtown” was plotted and sold beginning in 1798. In 1801 the town was recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and was incorporated in 1834.

The population grew slowly despite the number of visitors traveling Three Notch’d Road connecting Staunton with Charlottesville and Richmond.  Shortly before the beginning of the Civil War, a railroad tunnel was built through Rockfish Gap. It became the primary crossing through the mountains.

In 1865, Confederate Lt. General Jubal Early lost his last battle of the Civil War. He was forced to turn the town over to Confederate General Philip Sheridan. After the war Waynesboro became the intersection of two railroad lines. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway ran east and west, and the Shenandoah Valley Railroad ran north and south. In 1948, Waynesboro became an independent city.

Waynesboro gained attention as the home of artist P. (Patricia) Buckley Moss and her paintings of the life and landscapes of the Shenandoah Valley. The museum named for her draws some 45,000 visitors every year.

Economy

During much of the 20^th century, Waynesboro’s economy was based in the large DuPont plant and the associated Benger Laboratory, where Spandex (then called Lycra) was invented. There was also a significant textile mill called Wayn-Tex.  The DuPont plant is now Invista and the textile mill is owned by Mohawk industries. General Electric also had a site on the Northeast side of the city. It was a large employer, and it made relays and later computer printers. Waynesboro is now the location of nTelos (a wireless and telecommunication company).

Today, Waynesboro’s economy is built upon tourism, manufacturing, and retail. According to the 2010 economic census, the most common industries in which residents are employed are:

• Health Care
• Construction
• Educational Services
• Accommodation and food services
• Textile mills and products
• Chemicals
• Public Administration
• Metal and metal products
• Social Assistance

The top employers in Waynesboro are:

• Private Limited Company (Invista) — one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, primarily for nylon, spandex and polyester application
• Waynesboro School Board
• City of Waynesboro
• Ntelos Inc. Dip – wireless and telecommunications
• Mundy Maintenance Service — is a small organization in the building maintenance services industry
• Wal-Mart
• Mohawk Esv Incorporated — Designs, manufactures and markets woven and tufted broadloom carpet and rugs for residential and commercial uses
• Adecco – staffing company
• Augusta Lumber LLC — Augusta Lumber has proudly upheld the Appalachian Standard for more than 50 years. We are a foremost supplier of fine hardwood logs and lumber from the Appalachian Hardwood Forests of the United States, and one of the world’s largest producers of prefinished plank flooring.
• Chicopee Incorporated Dip — Nonwoven Fabrics and Spunbonded Fabrics
• Virginia Panel Corporation — For over 50 years, VPC has built high quality Mass InterConnects with a high degree of reliability.
• Kroger
• Target Corp.
• Lowes’ Home Centers, Inc.
• Alphastaff Inc. – staffing company
• Avante at Waynesboro — Nursing home, assisted living and pulmonary rehab facilities specializing in short and long-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation services
• Martin’s Food Market
• Dupont Community Credit Union
• Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
• Sunnyside Presbyterian Home

Many workplaces can be dangerous if safety standards are not enforced. When injured on the job, most people depend upon workers compensation to pay their medical bills and to cover lost wages. Sometimes, however, insurance companies are very difficult to work with. If you have been injured on the job and you believe you are not being treated fairly by your employers’ insurance, call Altizer Law, P.C. We negotiate with insurance companies every day. We may be able to help you to ensure you receive fair compensation.

As our society ages, we see more and more nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and extended care facilities. Most of these facilities are excellent, and they are staffed with caring and competent professional care providers. Occasionally, however, people become distracted or they make a bad decision. In the medical field, this can be very harmful. If you, or a loved one, are injured due to the negligence or misdeeds of a medical provider, call Altizer Law, P.C. We understand the costs of medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect. We have been representing plaintiffs for more than 20 years and winning appropriate settlements for them for injuries and for wrongful death.

Places of Interest

Waynesboro offers a range of activities and opportunities for residents and visitors. From the breathtaking beauty of the vistas experienced from the many overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive to the lush landscapes of the Shenandoah Valley, to the outdoor activities available in and around the City, there is something for everyone to experience.

For those interested in local history, the best starting point is the Waynesboro Heritage Museum. It contains a large collection of relics from every period in the City’s history, including educational institutions, leaders, and industries. On the same street is Plumb House. This former home features Civil War and Native American artifacts, a summer kitchen, historic garden and other outbuildings. The annual reenactment of the Battle of Waynesboro is very popular with local historians and civil war buffs.

Fishburne Military School was founded in 1879 by Mr. James Fishburne. It is the oldest and smallest military schools in Virginia. It has been accredited by the Southern Association of Secondary Schools since 1897, longer than any other school in the state. Waynesboro has three historic districts, in addition to 7 other historic properties, all of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. They are wonderful sites to explore and learn about local history.. Waynesboro African-American Heritage Museum is also important for historians. Tours are offered to these historic sites

Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail is relatively new to the area. The trail connects the many craft breweries in Waynesboro, Augusta County, and the Shenandoah Valley. Don’t miss the local Farmers Market, where you will find locally grown produce and other locally produced wares.

Many outdoor activities are available in and around Waynesboro.  Hiking is popular on the Appalachian Trail and in many other places nearby. Other outdoor activities include backpacking, bouldering, mountain and road biking, canoeing and kayaking on the South River or the Shenandoah River, and much more. Of particular note is Sherando Lake, a spring-fed lake in the George Washington National Forest.

Call Altizer Law, P.C.

Too often, people are injured while enjoying outdoor activities due to a failure or a defect in the equipment they are using. Sometimes, buildings, stairs, or walkways are not properly built or maintained. When people are injured in these circumstances, it may be possible to seek justice and fair compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, medical costs, etc. We handle many premises liability and products liability cases.

If you are injured or a loved one is killed due to the negligence or wrongdoing of others, call us to discuss your injuries. We can help you to make a preliminary determination of whether you have a legal case. If you hire us, we will help you obtain justice and win fair compensation for your hurts and harms.