Here’s an earlier depiction of the early Basic and Waynesboro area.  It is taken from the book, “1835 Gazetteer of Virginia and the District of Columbia” by Joseph Martin. “Waynesboro’s P.V. 109 ms. from R. and 10 from W., situated at the western foot of the Blue Ridge, on South river.  Waynesboro is an industrious…

Well before the Romans, or  the Greeks or the Egyptians created their cultures, an ethnic group known as the “First People” began its colonization of North American.  There are a number of theories of how the original settlers came to the continent.  Some belive they were the “Lost Tribes” of the Old Testament.  Others fancifully…

This Spring is located at the south bend of Arch Avenue near the back of  the Crompton Plant.  This spring was also noted for its minerals and “healing” qualities.  Water cress is visible along these banks today.  In this immediate area, the hikers of the Appalachian Trail find this a good camping spot. Ford’s Hotel…

After producing the first skein of acetate on November 1, 1929 to make Rayon, the worlds’ first synthetic fiber, the DuPont Waynesboro plant helped Waynesboro evolve into a major Valley manufacturing town.  Through 1958, the Waynesboro DuPont plant specialized in the manufacturing of cellulose acetate flake.  In later years, Orlon Lycra, Nomex, Vespel, Permasep and…

Augusta County and the Shenandoah Valley were more rural in the 1940s than they are today. Farms and orchards, especially apple orchards, were numerous. Waynesboro was particularly rich with its orchards, cider and vinegar mills, canning industry and a huge storage facility. When the war broke out in Europe and our commitment to it, the…

Dueling in Waynesboro?  With pistols at 20 paces and with seconds? Yes, indeed. Dueling was outlawed in Virginia in 1810 after the famous duel between Alexander Hamilton, ex-Secretary of the Treasury and Vice President Aaron Burr. Hamilton was on the losing end of the duel and died from his wounds. However, 011 June 30, 1883,…

What a good fortune for us that Claudius Crozet chose to live in Virginia and for Waynesboro to benefit from his many talents.  They called him “genius”, “Pathfinder of the Blue Ridge Mountain” and Thomas Jefferson proclaimed him to be “the best mathematician in the U.S.” Benoit Claudius Crozet was born in 1789 in Villefranche,…

Jubal Anderson Early was born November 3, 1816 in Franklin County, Virginia.   He was the third oldest and second son of ten children to Joab and Ruth Early.  In keeping with family tradition he was named after a biblical character (Genesis 4:21).   His father raised tobacco in the Red Valley area of Franklin County, Virginia.…