Waynesboro Area Guide

Waynesboro is a borough located in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Waynesboro is nestled in the Cumberland Valley between Hagerstown, Maryland and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Waynesboro is just 78 miles northwest of Baltimore, Maryland, providing easy access to big city adventures. The population of Waynesboro as of 2002 was 9,614.

Waynesboro History

Waynesboro had its beginning in about 1749 when a Scotsman named John Wallace settled near a spring close to Antietam Creek. Wallace owned 633 acres of land here which he called Mt. Vernon. By 1797, Wallace’s son John owned the land. He decided to establish a town and put 90 lots on the market. He named the community Waynesburg after General Anthony Wayne. The name changed in 1831 to Waynesboro when the Federal Government ruled that names of post offices could not be duplicated in any one state.

Waynesboro was in a vulnerable location during the French and Indian War and was the site of many Indians’ raids. Today there is a park and museum located at the site of an Indian attack. The Renfrew Museum and Park is named after the victims, sisters, in their memory. The museum exhibits 18th century farm life and dates back to 1812.

In the beginning of the 20th century, Waynesboro was mainly an industrial town. The community was known for manufacturing engines, boilers, grinders, threshers, bolt cutters, and more. Such factories included the Frick Company, the Geiser Company, and the Landis Tool Company.

By 1900, Waynesboro was home to 5,396 people and in 1940 was home to 10,231.

Waynesboro Parks and Recreation

Waynesboro is home to many parks and recreational areas. The community is dedicated to maintaining a safe, fun, and clean environment for all of their residents and visitors to enjoy. Waynesboro’s parks offer open space, playgrounds, ball fields, and more for your enjoyment!

Memorial Park
Waynesboro’s Memorial Park is dedicated to all of the residents in the area who fought to keep our country free. Memorial Park features 3 ball fields.

Northside Pool
Northside Pool offers a zero-depth entrance, 2 slides, Bubblers, and other exciting features!

Pine Hill Recreation Area
Pine Hill Recreation Area is a 174-acre recreation area located just outside of Waynesboro. There are many recreational opportunities here for residents and visitors. There are numerous hiking and biking trails, ball fields, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, and more.

Red Run Park
Red Run Park is the oldest park owned by the Washington Township. Red Run Park covers 22 acres and features a lake, picnic areas, playground equipment, a miniature train and more.

Renfrew Park
Renfrew Park covers 107-acres and consists of farmland, woodland, and meadow. Fifty acres of the land are designated as a wilderness preserve with self-guided walking tours and hiking trails. Renfrew Park also features a 5 acre picnic ground with a 150-seat pavilion.

Rock Run ATV Recreation Area
Rock Run ATV Recreation Area provides a safe environment for ATV and dirt bike riders. The fully developed site will have a total of 150 miles of trails, a campground, and other facilities. Here you will be able to spend an entire weekend riding an all-terrain vehicle, off-highway motorcycle, a mountain bike, camping, hiking, or riding horseback in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains.

Click here for the Waynesboro Municipal Golf Course

Waynesboro Events and Attractions

Waynesboro offers select events and attractions, including the Waynesboro Theatre and The Capitol Theatre Center. Waynesboro’s proximity to larger cities also provides residents with a wider variety of attractions and events to participate in.

Waynesboro Theatre
The Waynesboro Theatre shows first-run and family movies!

The Capitol Theatre Center
The Capitol Theatre Center is the cultural hub of Waynesboro. The Capitol Theatre presents many of its own performances and concerts each year. The theatre also is the home for productions by the Chambersburg Community Theatre.

Many Waynesboro residents travel to surrounding areas to participate in a wider variety of events and attractions in those areas. For more information, please visit my other area guides.

For more information about schools in the Waynesboro area, please visit my Waynesboro area school guide.

For more information about relocation in the Waynesboro area, please visit my Waynesboro relocation guide.