Waynesboro () is a borough in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located on the southern border of the state, Waynesboro is in the Cumberland Valley between Hagerstown, Maryland, and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. It is part of Chambersburg, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the Washington–Baltimore combined statistical area. It is two miles north of the Mason–Dixon line and close to Camp David and the Raven Rock Mountain Complex.
The population within the borough limits was 10,951 at the 2020 census. When combined with the surrounding Washington and Quincy Townships, the population of greater Waynesboro is 31,166. The Waynesboro Area School District serves a resident population of 33,182, according to 2020 federal census data.
History
thumb|Downtown Waynesboro
The region around Antietam Creek had been home to Native Americans, primarily Susquehannock and Lenape, for thousands of years prior to settlement by Anglo-Europeans in the mid-18th century. Beginning in 1749 and again in 1751, a certain John Wallace obtained several warrants for the land on which the center of the town now stands. In 1797, John Wallace, a son of the original Scottish settler, laid out the town of Waynesburg in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The place originally incorporated as Waynesburg borough on December 21, 1818, however that charter was repealed March 30, 1825. When reincorporated on January 30, 1831, the borough was given the name "Waynesboro". It is one of several dozen towns, cities, and counties named after General Anthony Wayne, a hero of the American Revolution.
thumb|Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library
During the Civil War, Waynesboro played a part in the Gettysburg campaign in June and July 1863. In the week before the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate Major General Jubal Early's division of Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell's corps of the Army of Northern Virginia passed through the community on its way northward. After the battle, General Robert E. Lee rode through the border community with his retreating forces.
Numerous stone grain mills are in the area: Welty's Mill, Shank's Mill, Hopewell Roller Mill and others. Most of them still standing and in use.
By the early years of the 20th century, Waynesboro had become an industrial town. It was known for the manufacture of engines, boilers, grinders, threshers, boring machines, bolt cutters, wood and iron workers' vises, nut facers, etc. There were also foundries and machine shops and manufacturers of lumber products. Local companies included Frick Company, Geiser Manufacturing, Waynesboro Knitting Mill, Connie's Sportwear, Freeman's Shoes, Landis Machine Company, and Landis Tool Company. The population of the borough had its greatest increase between 1880 and 1920 when the borough grew fivefold from just under 1,900 to almost 10,000.
Amenities
thumb|upright|Joseph J. Oller House
Waynesboro is home to Royer–Nicodemus House and Farm (Renfrew Museum and Park), a historical museum depicting 18th-century farm life. It is named after two young sisters who reputedly died there in 1764 during a Native American attack. The museum houses the Bell Collection, which contains works from the John Bell Pottery.
The Alexander Hamilton House, Borough Hall of the Borough of Waynesboro, Joseph J. Oller House, Royer–Nicodemus House and Farm, and Welty's Mill Bridge are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Camp Penn is located across from Old Forge State Park, nestled in the southern edge of the Michaux State Forest.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Waynesboro had a population of 10,951. The median age was 38.5 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.9 males age 18 and over.
99.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.1% lived in rural areas.
There were 4,766 households in Waynesboro, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 36.8% were married-couple households, 21.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.