Dr. Robert Sumter Griffith's life involved railroads. Even the fact that he practiced medicine in Waynesboro is because of the railroad. The popular physician, never seen without his round wire spectacles and his trademark western bowtie, was born . . . — — Map (db m237790) HM
On the ridge west of Waynesboro occurred the last engagement of Confederate forces commanded by Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early. Portions of Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan's army, including cavalry led by Maj. Gen. George A. Custer, attacked and routed . . . — — Map (db m207734) HM
The South River that winds through Waynesboro is one of the city's best natural amenities: The river itself is 52 miles long. It begins near the village of Greenville and flows northward to Port Republic. At this point, it joins the North River to . . . — — Map (db m140457) HM
James Abbott Fishburne, an honor graduate of Washington College inspired by its president, Robert E. Lee, opened in 1879 with 24 students what eventually became Fishburne Military School. Staunton architectural firm T.J. Collins & Son designed . . . — — Map (db m299639) HM
Fish from the South River (with the exception of stocked trout) should not be eaten. Why?
Up until the 1950s, mercury was used in the manufacture of synthetic fibers in Waynesboro. In 1976, it was found that mercury chemically binds to fine . . . — — Map (db m305336) HM
I am the Star Spangled Banner..... conceived in 1777 out of the love America bore for Liberty and Honor. I am the memorial of countless heroes who shed their blood to preserve this sacred heritage. I have inspired generations of gallant men . . . — — Map (db m197524) WM
The Plumb House was built between 1802 and 1806 on what was then the western edge of Waynesboro. While fighting did not occur here until late in the war, the community felt its impact early on. Henry Plumb, who lived here, was mortally wounded at . . . — — Map (db m170606) HM
The Plumb House was built between 1802 and 1806 on what was then the western edge of Waynesboro. While fighting did not occur here until late in the war, the community felt its impact early on. Henry Plumb, who lived here, was mortally wounded at . . . — — Map (db m305342) HM
Five generations of Plumbs…
The Plumb Family came to Waynesboro in 1837 to open a tavern. Five generations lived in the house until 1994 when Mrs. Lois Plumb went to live with her daughter. Her husband, known as "Happy" Plumb, was known for . . . — — Map (db m170600) HM
This is Waynesboro's oldest intact neighborhood. It coalesced as a community about 1870, just after the Civil War, when formerly enslaved individuals moved here to work in nearby industries and on railroads. The African American residents . . . — — Map (db m40786) HM
Tunneling in the 1850s often required timbered vertical shafts. Workers were hoisted down in buckets to the tunnel level, where they blasted horizontally into the mountain. Meanwhile other men blasted into it sideways from both portals. In theory, . . . — — Map (db m234138) HM
The river bend 200 yards upstream is the site of the former Rife-Loth Dam. The dam was constructed of logs circa 1880 and produced power for the Ram Manufacturing Company using waterwheels. In the 1890s the waterwheels generated power for . . . — — Map (db m160146) HM
In Waynesboro's earliest days, the only way to cross the South River was by a ford. Fords are shallow spots in the river that offer low embankments. Travelers of this time crossed the river on foot, horseback, in a farm wagon or stagecoach.
A . . . — — Map (db m140456) HM
Although work began on Skyline Drive in 1933, the vision of extending the scenic roadway to connect to the planned Blue Ridge Parkway was not realized until 1939 when the final section, Jarman Gap to Rockfish Gap was completed. Rangers welcomed . . . — — Map (db m95954) HM
Early Days
The African-American community on Port Republic Road began to take form shortly after the Civil War. For the first time, all black residents of the area were now free to purchase land and build their own homes. A map . . . — — Map (db m305338) HM
Deaths of laborers and their family members were frequent along the Blue Ridge Railroad. Pneumonia, tuberculosis, and heart disease took a heavy toll. About thirty-three Irish men, women, and children living in shanties near the tunnel perished . . . — — Map (db m237793) HM
Virginia Metalcrafters had its first beginnings with the founding of the Waynesboro Stove Company in 1890 by William J. Loth. The company, which made ornately cast cookstoves, heaters and all accoutrements for kitchens of the period, later developed . . . — — Map (db m4031) HM
Pioneer 19th century Waynesboro industrialist.
On this site stood the home of William J. Loth, founder of the W. J. Loth Stove Company of Waynesboro, which produced coal and wood-burning stoves, and pioneered in the manufacture and sale of . . . — — Map (db m40788) HM
Archibald Stuart - Revolutionary soldier, legislator, and judge-was born here March 19, 1757, at the home of his grandfather and namesake, an early settler. The property was acquired by William A. Pratt in 1868 and G. Julian Pratt in 1900. — — Map (db m221657) HM
Settlers began to arrive to present day Augusta County in the 1730s and by the Revolutionary War a small hamlet existed here. By 1797, it was known as Waynesborough, for Revolutionary War hero Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne. It became a town in 1801 and . . . — — Map (db m4032) HM
Here, on one of the first roads west of the Blue Ridge, a hamlet stood in colonial times. The Walker exploring expedition started from this vicinity in 1748. Here, in June, 1781, the Augusta militia assembled to join Lafayette in the east. A town . . . — — Map (db m41328) HM
The Blue Ridge Tunnel was constructed between 1849 and 1859 beneath Rockfish Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. The tunnel first opened in 1858 to allow rail access through Afton Mountain. It was designed by French immigrant . . . — — Map (db m172945) HM
William H. Harman
Colonel, C.S.A.
Born Feb. 17, 1828
Killed in action at
Waynesboro Mar 2, 1865.
He was a lieutenant of a com-
pany from Augusta County
in the Mexican War; after-
wards Brig. General in the
Virginia Militia; . . . — — Map (db m106824) HM
This nearly 22-foot-long water pipe was excavated from the Casper Koiner farm in Crimora, Augusta County. It was part of a system that carried water to the 155-acre farm which included distilleries, a tannery, and a grist mill. Due to its . . . — — Map (db m170601) HM
