Pauline W. Jenkins, Mayor

Pauline W. Jenkins, Mayor
The Waynesboro portion of the Savannah River
Parkway, designed to connect Savannah and
Augusta, is part of the Governor’s Road Improvement
Plan and follows U.S. Highway 25 as it passes through
Waynesboro from north to south.
Commercial air travel is available via Bush Field,
25 minutes from Downtown Waynesboro, which is
served by Delta Connection, ASA and US
Airways Express.
The Burke County Airport located just south
of the City Limits of Waynesboro has a lighted
runway and is suitable for private aircraft including
small jets.
Rail service is provided by Norfolk Southern to
Waynesboro. Norfolk Southern and CSX piggyback
service are available in Savannah.
Waynesboro is located in East Central
Georgia about 25 miles south of the metropolitan
Augusta area and 100 miles north of Savannah.
Surrounding cities include Augusta, Swainsboro,
Wrens, Louisville, Millen and Sylvania.
Waynesboro boasts a pleasant average temperature
of 64 degrees. Its residents enjoy long, warm
summers and cool, mild winters. Rainfall averages
44.49 inches annually and snowfall is rarely recorded.
The updated 2010 census of Waynesboro’s
population was 5,813.
The City of Waynesboro is governed by a mayor and
six council members and an appointed administrator.
Continued on inside back cover
Freight service in Waynesboro is provided by
interstate and inter/intrastate motor carriers.
Continental bus service is available.
Media communications include a weekly newspaper,
The True Citizen, one of Georgia’s oldest.
36. The Melrose Hotel (the 200 block of 6th
Street) was built circa 1870 near the Railroad
Center when Waynesboro saw at least four
passenger trains per day. It was named for the
builder’s wife, Mrs. Palmer L. Corker, the former
Miss Melrose Attaway. Many famous people
stayed here including Ty Cobb. Imagine the
sweet smell of honey-suckle growing on the lattice work that framed
the side of the porch as you hear the clop of the horse-drawn hack
on its way to the depot.
37. The Calaboose (just behind the Museum)
was the nickname for the circa 1900 one-room
brick building that once served as
Waynesboro’s jail. This small jail of yesteryear
sits just behind the Burke County Museum.
Plans are in the works to restore the building
and create a scene of early prison conditions.
Calaboose is an additional exhibit of the museum.
38. The Waynesboro Ice Plant opened in 1905
when many cities began to make their own ice
instead of importing it from up North by rail.
It remained in operation until the early 1970's.
By 2000, the Waynesboro Ice Plant had fallen
into disrepair and was crumbling away. The city
planned to demolish it but when the bids to do so were all too high it
was not torn down. Instead, in 2005, the one hundred year old building
became the recipient of a Department of Transportation Enhancement
Act Grant.
Today, after undergoing a $1.1 million renovation, the 7,000 sq. ft.
building not only houses the Offices of Planning and Development for
the City of Waynesboro but serves as a museum, meeting space, and
trailhead for the recently completed Greenway Trail. Visitors to the Ice
Plant will find some of the original equipment on display; including the
diesel generator that provided power for ice making and generated
electricity for streetlights. Included in the displays are vintage photos
tracing the plants history and significance. Hours of operation are 9:00
am until 4:00 pm.
WELCOME TO
Waynesboro
The Mayor, Council and Administration
welcome you to the City of Waynesboro.
Whether it’s for the day or you decide to
stay for a lifetime — we’re glad you’re here!
39. Greenway Trail The City of Waynesboro
celebrated the long awaited opening of the
Greenway Trail on Saturday, December 4,
2010. Planning for the four-mile exercise
loop began in 2004 as a Georgia Department
of Transportation Enhancement Project. The
newly renovated Waynesboro Ice Plant serves as the trailhead. The
trail links downtown to the library, recreation and school facilities
and several neighborhoods. The scenic portion of the trail begins
behind the old TG&Y building and comes out behind the Burke County
Middle School. The trail is open to the public, including residents on
bicycles, scooters, skateboards and other non-motorized modes of
transportation.
20
1
28. Wisteria Hall (824 Myrick Street) as it is now known, was built in
1909 by Mr. Enon E. Chance, one of the more successful businessmen
of his day. His daughter, Mrs. Henry Hopkins Sr. (the
former Miss Mary Pearl Chance), inherited the home
that became known as the Hopkins House. Above
the stair landing is a great jewel of a Tiffany window
designed by Mrs. Chance, featuring wisteria and two
birds in flight, hence the name Wisteria Hall.
A
uthorized by an act of the Georgia General
Assembly on July 31, 1783, Waynesborough
was laid out in a series of one-acre lots.
Thomas Lewis Sr., Thomas Lewis Jr., John Duhart,
Edward Telfair and Col. John Jones were
appointed commissioners to oversee the sale of
said lots. Perhaps to control urban sprawl, the
initial offering was limited to only 20 percent of
those lots.
Two centuries later, with its significant
agricultural heritage flourishing and an expanding
industrial base, modern Waynesboro is a
gracious little city with an atmosphere of
challenge and progress. Within easy driving
distance of Augusta, Savannah, Atlanta and
Columbia, S.C., Waynesboro offers ready access
to major and minor league sports, superb
cultural events, and thriving economic markets
with all the tranquility of a small, friendly
community.
Front porches: Waynesboro homes have an
abundance of them. At top, the front porch of the
Marshall Young Home invites you to sit a spell.
At bottom, The Shadows, an antebellum style house
built around 1876.
29. The First Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro
(810 Myrick Street) was founded in 1760 and
was the first church in Waynesboro. The Rev. Josiah
Lewis became the first permanent pastor. The
present structure, the third on this site, was
dedicated in 1884. The beautiful white narrow
clapboard church is reminiscent of Christopher
Wren Churches of New England.
30. The Steadman House (828 Liberty St.) circa 1917,
was built by George Alfred and Georgia Thomas
Steadman who raised six children in the home. It
was later home to the musically talented Shepard
family. It was built in the Spanish Mission style of
stucco and tile roof. It features a large open tile
porch and its grounds are graced with pink and
white dogwoods and camellias.
31. The Waynesboro Baptist Church (853 Liberty
St.) as it was first called, was established Jan. 18,
1880, by Dr. W.L. Kilpatrick and 20 Baptists living
in the Waynesboro area. The first building was on
7th Street, and meetings were held once a month.
By 1904 a new brick church was built at the present
location. The present building was erected in the
1930s.
32. Yesteryear (821 Myrick Street). Built by Judge
J.W. Carswell, around 1865, this house served as his
town residence when he was confined to a wheel
chair and found it difficult to go back and forth to
his Belleview Plantation. It is Plantation plain with
Federal, Williamsburg and Greek Revival additions.
The house now serves as the pastor’s study and
offices of the Methodist Church.
33. The Wilkins/Hagood House (207 East 8th Street)
was built in the early 1900s by Major William
Archibald Wilkins, and is reminiscent of Thomas
Jefferson’s “Monticello” with its domed roof.
President William Howard Taft, while in office in
1910, visited this home in Waynesboro. Now
known as the Bates Hagood House, it remains one
of the more interesting examples of architecture in Waynesboro.
34. The Burke County Courthouse (at the corner of 6th and Liberty
streets). Burke County was founded in 1777, and the existing Halifax
District Courthouse was in place at Alexander, Georgia. In 1783 the
First courthouse was built in Waynesboro where the
National Guard Armory building is today. The
second one was built around 1790 where the
Courthouse is today. In 1825 it was hit by lightning
and burned to the ground. After being rebuilt, due
to an accident involving a wood-burning stove, it
was again destroyed in 1856. The current structure
has served Burke County since 1857.
35. The Anthony Wayne Hotel (the 100 block of 6th
Street) was first opened on Oct. 24, 1925 and has
been an important Waynesboro landmark ever since.
Built on the site of first the Planters, then the
Arlington Hotel, this was the site of the Georgia
Field Trial Association. The hotel closed in the
mid-1980s and is now home to thriving businesses.
2
19
19. The Byne House (535 Jones Avenue) built in early 1900 was
home
home to
to one
one of
of Waynesboro’s
Waynesboro’s prominent
prominent early
early
doctors,
doctors, Dr.
Dr. J.J. Miller
Miller Byne.
Byne. With
With twin
twin magnolias
magnolias
at
at the
the door
door surrounded
surrounded by
by an
an ivy-bordered
ivy-bordered lawn,
lawn,
camellias
camellias and
and shrubs
shrubs and
and the
the huge
huge old
old barn
barn at
at the
the
back,
back, this
this house
house evokes
evokes aa feeling
feeling of
of serenity.
serenity.
20. Thomas Grove Baptist Church (426 West 6th
Street), one of the oldest churches still serving the
Black citizens of Burke County, was organized in May
of 1870. The church was partially burned and then
was repaired in 1908. It was restored about 1980 and
now boasts a thriving congregation of several hundred
members. It remains a special landmark in
the community.
21. The Confederate Memorial Cemetery (6th Street and Jones
Avenue) is surrounded by a wall made with domestic brick.
Isaiah Carter, born circa 1751 and died 1817,
brother of Alexander Carter, gave the land for
the cemetery to be created. There are 196 grave
markers here that are readable but many more
that are not. A total of 49 Confederate soldiers
are buried here. Confederate Memorial Day
services are held here each year in April.
22. The Whitehead/Byne House (205 7th Street) was built by Mrs.
Marguerite Hopper Whitehead around 1885.
It later became the home of Dr. and Mrs. J. Miller
Byne Jr. With its Greek Revival portico and
outstanding walled gardens, this house is a
study in tranquility. Mrs. Byne’s formal garden
directly across the street is still cared for meticulously.
23. Old Waynesborough (7th Street between
Shadrack and Liberty) is part of the business
district of our town adding to the old fashioned
charm of our city. It has been completely
restored as it was 75 years ago and now
offers some of the area’s best casual dining.
24. The First United Methodist Church of Waynesboro (802 Liberty
Street) was established around 1815. The present
structure found here was completed in 1938. This
lovely ediface has added greatly to the beauty of
Waynesboro. A complete history of the church
was written in 1968 by Mrs. Lillian Lewis Powell,
copies of which can be found in both the Burke
County Public Library and the Burke County
Museum.
Waynesboro
adopted
years
slogan,
Waynesboro
adopted
years
agoago
thethe
slogan,
“The
Bird
Dog
Capital
World.”TheThe
“The
Bird
Dog
Capital
Of OfTheTheWorld.”
Georgia
Field
Trials
began
Burke
County
Georgia
Field
Trials
began
in in
Burke
County
in in
1901,
and
continues
to
the
present.
Hunting
1901, and continues to
present. Huntingand
havehave
been abeen
way of
residents
andfishing
fish-ing
a life
wayforof
life forand
today are
more
popular
residents
and
to-day
are than
moreever.
popular than
ever.
Savannah
River,
Brier
Creek,
state
TheThe
Savannah
River,
Brier
Creek,
twotwo
state
owned
game
management
areas,
many
owned
game
management
areas,
many
areaarea
golfgolf
courses
and
enviable
year-round
weather
afford
courses and enviable year-round weather afford
exceptional
recreational
opportunities.TopTop
exceptional
recreational
opportunities.
it it
all
off
with
Waynesboro’s
all off
Waynesboro’s own brand of
own brandhospitality
of southern
southern
andwhy
you
andhospitality
you discover
discover
why
the
living
the living is easy and
the future
theis easy
futureandbright
in
Waynesboro.
bright in Waynesboro.
25. The Attaway/Coleman House (809 Liberty Street) built around
1804, is considered to be the oldest house in
Waynesboro. The Attaway’s were the first
owners and had one of the first carriage
businesses in this section, located near the
back of the residence. Mrs. Charles Coleman,
the former Miss Sadie Dent Fulcher, furnished
the home with beautiful family antiques. The
house remains in the Coleman family.
At top,
you’ll
see many
At top,
you’ll
see many
fishermen
andand
rowrow
boats
fishermen
boats
on Jones
Lake.
Above
on Jones
Lake.
Above
right,
Waynesboro,
TheThe
right,
Waynesboro,
BirdBird
DogDog
Capital
of the
Capital
of the
World,
is the
home
of many
World,
is the
home
of many
locallocal
champion
birdbird
dogs.
champion
dogs.
At left,
thisthis
Tiffany
stained
At left,
Tiffany
stained
glassglass
window
can can
be seen
at at
window
be seen
Wisteria
Hall.Hall.
Wisteria
26. The Minus McElmurray House (833 Liberty
Street). This newly renovated circa 1890s home
sits on land once owned in 1871 by Thomas A.
Becker, Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah. Now
the property of First Baptist Church, this home
was featured on the Christmas Tour of Homes.
27. The Routzahn/Thomas House (828 Myrick
Street)
Street) was
was built
built around
around 1870
1870 by
by Louis
Louis A.
A. Routzahn
Routzahn
and
and has
has many
many interesting
interesting architectural
architectural details:
details:
wide
wide overhanging
overhanging eaves
eaves with
with their
their gingerbread
gingerbread
trim,
trim, spindle
spindle baluster
baluster and
and the
the ell
ell at
at the
the side
side of
of
the
the house.
house. Nestled
Nestled behind
behind the
the pair
pair of
of ancient
ancient
magnolias,
magnolias, itit is
is one
one of
of Waynesboro’s
Waynesboro’s older
older homes.
homes.
18
3
3
10. The Wimberly House (521 Liberty St.), was built in 1880 by William
M. and Callie Chandler Wimberly in the Victorian style of architecture
popular at that time. Their son, Chandler Wilson
Wimberly, and his wife, Ellen, owned the home
until Mrs. Wimberly’s death in 1993. At that time,
it was purchased by St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
and today serves as the hub of an ecumenical outreach service for the people of Burke.
Left: The Gazebo in the City Park
is a gathering place for many
Waynesboro residents.
Right: The park at 9th and Liberty Streets
features a picturesque fountain and trellis.
Below: Horse-back riding is a favorite
of many. Equine instruction is taught
and horse boarding is available. Several
plantations offer commercial hunting.
The
Burke County Recreation Department’s
major facilities are convenient to the city and
offer a wide range of activities from sports to
crafts. Several other sites provide basketball
courts and playgrounds for neighborhoods.
Youth programs include all major sports.
The city tennis courts are located adjacent to St.
Michael’s Episcopal Church and the City Park.
Playground equipment for the younger set is
available in the park. A gazebo has been the
setting for weddings,
concerts, religious services
and ot he r c ommun it y
activities.
The Waynesboro Country
Club is an excellent
18-hole golf course.
Memb e rsh ip fe e s are
reasonable and the climate
affords year round play.
4
11. The Miller/Rackley House (516 Liberty St.), was built around 1900
by Mrs. Julia Carter Miller. She was the widow of
Joseph Baldwin Miller, prominent Waynesboro attorney and daughter of Dr. Edward J. and Angelina
M. Carpenter Carter. These families were participants in the development of Waynesboro. Today it
is owned by Mrs. Frank J. Rackley who is a descendant of Julia Carter Miller.
12. St. Michael’s Episcopal Church (515 Liberty St.),
of Gothic architecture, was founded in 1889. The
first service was conducted on Sept. 16, 1894 and
was consecrated in 1911. In 1965, the church was
remodeled and enlarged. St. Michael’s interior is of
Georgia pine and has many pleasing features adding to its atmosphere of quietness and peace.
13. The Reynolds’ House (512 Liberty St.), built in 1835, is one of
Waynesboro’s oldest homes. The 150-year-old dwelling has been the home of the Reynolds family for six
generations. The house sits far back from the street
on a gentle rise and is approached by a wide inviting walk-through terraced green carpet of grass.
The rich warm tones of paneling were part of the
original Carter/Munnerlyn home.
14. The Samuel G. Story House (301 5th St.), was
built in 1895 by Samuel Gaines Story II who was
former sheriff of Burke County. Mrs. Story was the
former Miss Ida Gresham from Burke’s venerable old
families. The house originally stood at the corner of
5th Street and Jones Avenue, but was moved to its
present site in the 1940s.
15. The Jones House (509 Jones Ave.), is a stately house built around
1900 by Seaborn Henry Jones, son of John James
Jones, builder of the “Shadows,” next door. The adjacent lands were once the edge of the extensive Jones
Plantation. It stands in a serene setting of boxwood
and ivy-bordered lawn. The current owner maintains its quaint, old fashioned charm.
16. The Shadows (525 Jones Ave.), an antebellum
style house was built around 1876 by John James
Jones, a U.S. Congressman. It was designed after the
home of Mrs. Jones’ uncle, Robert Toombs of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Neely Jr. restored the
home in 1950, adding the massive gardens.
17. The Miller/Peel House (524 Jones Ave.), was built
around1886 by Mrs. Mamie Chance Dickerson. Dr.
Robert Lee Miller bought the house in 1926. Mrs.
Miller, the former Miss Dean Joyner, who lived to be
more than 101 years old, lived there 50 years. The
long windows in the living room open onto the
porch and were once entry ways.
18. The Neely/Brown House (533 Jones Ave.).
Orginally the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Neely, this
house was built in the early 1900s in Plantation plain
architecture with Greek Revival additions. At the door
is a magnificent old magnolia tree.
17
Walking Tour Downtown Waynesboro
While in Waynesboro and looking for something to do, take a walking tour
at your own leisurely pace of the historical sites throughout Downtown
Waynesboro. You may want to begin at the Waynesboro-Burke County
Museum or any place you venture to stroll.
1. The Waynesboro-Burke County Museum (536 Liberty St.), established in 1970, is the best place to begin your tour. There you will
find artifacts and relics from Waynesboro and
Burke County. Known as the J.D. Roberts House,
this Georgian cottage style home was built circa
1858 and had a front row seat to view the action
during the 1864 skirmish in Waynesboro between
Wheeler’s Confederate soldiers and Union troops.
2. The Carter House (541 Liberty St.), was built on this site around
1785 by Alexander Carter. While on his southern tour in 1791,
George Washington spent the night in this house. An effort was
made unsuccessfully to save the landmark and it was torn down
around 1932. In 1933, the D.A.R. assisted with the erection of the
historical markers.
3. The Masonic Temple (534 Liberty St.), was a classic example of
art-deco style architecture with an Egyptian influence. It was built
around 1925 but was torn down around 1980 to build Hardee’s
Restaurant (now Popeyes).
4. The Green/Erwin House (530 Liberty St.), was
built around 1896 and was the home of Moses
Edwin and Carrie Fulcher Green. Their two children, Linwood and Edwina Green, never married. Both showed an active interest in preserving Burke’s history.
5. The Lawson/Mobley House (528 Liberty St.),
was built around 1891 and was originally owned
by the honorable Judge Edward Floyd Lawson
and was left to Judge Lawson’s niece, Mrs. Ruby
Lee Davis Carswell.
6. The Simeon Bell House (527 Liberty St.), was
built in 1881 and remained in the Bell family
until 1967. It is said that you can find the initials “S.B.” etched into the glass door and butterfly-shaped hinges on some of the doors.
7. The Sturges/Burton/Cates House (526 Liberty
St.), built in 1880, was originally owned by Miss
Philoclia Whitehead Sturges, a music teacher at
Waynesboro Academy. In 1883, Thomas Jones
Burton, planter and Confederate veteran, and his
wife, the former Miss Sarah J. Shewmake, bought
the home. It has remained in this family ever
since.
8. The Blount/Hargrove House (523 Liberty St.),
built in the mid- 1880s, by Asa Holt Blount Sr.,
was constructed using farm labor. It was the
townhome of Mr. and Mrs. Blount whose plantation was a few miles from Vidette. Mr. Blount
spent weeknights at the farm and weekends
at the townhome with his family.
9. The Brinson House (522 Liberty St.), was built on the site of the
home of Mrs. Frank L. Brinson Sr. (nee Martha
Elizabeth Herrington). The original house burned
shortly after new electric wiring was installed in
1913. The present house was built in 1914 and
was the home of Frank L. Brinson Jr. The home
remains in the Brinson family.
16
W
The Waynesboro Country Club
has an 18-hole golf course.
aynesboro’s civic clubs are active in the
life of the community. The Exchange Club
Fair has been an annual event for decades. The
Rotary Club boasts its own building, a gift of
former District Governor Ben Wardlow and
Mrs. Wardlow. The elegant facility is available
for rent for receptions, dinners, seminars, etc.
The Waynesboro-Burke County Community
Concert Association has sponsored concerts for
many years. The association is by membership
and open to all. The Waynesboro Community
Chorus presents concerts on Easter, Christmas
and special occasions. The chorus is composed
of volunteers and welcomes new members.
The Burke County Office Park includes an
auditorium that will accommodate several
hundred. It has been the scene of many cultural
and community events. The Senior Citizens
Center enhances the West 6th Street facility and
offers special programs for the older population.
The Waynesboro
Exchange Club
sponsors
the Burke County
Fair in October.
5
In addition to the Wardlow Rotary
Community Building (above), Waynesboro
has many facilities available for meetings and
receptions, among them the Burke County
Office Park, Augusta Technical College, Liberty
Square Market, the Burke County Library,
and several local banks.
The Burke County Museum on Liberty
Street is a must see for visitors. Actually inspired
by a local youth when he was a high school
student, the museum today features Indian
artifacts, early agricultural tools and home
appliances, Confederate memorabilia and other
interesting exhibits. The present site was opened
circa 1970. The Museum is open by appointment.
Waynesboro boasts efficient police and
fire departments. Working closely with county
law enforcement and the EMA, these agencies
proudly serve and protect. The proximity of
the Waynesboro Fire Department affords city
residents low fire insurance rates, quick response
and quality emergency medical care.
The Waynesboro-Burke
County Museum attracts
many travelers and history
buffs. There you will find
historical artifacts and relics
from Waynesboro and Burke
County.
6
Wimberly House Ministries is an outreach program
meeting human needs within the community.
T
he Wimberly House is an ecumenical
community outreach supported by churches,
civic clubs, individuals, institutions, business
and industry through volunteer assistance,
gifts and grants. Organized in 1993, in a
residence purchased by the Episcopal Church,
the Wimberly House offers after-school
activities and summer day camp for at risk
and latchkey children. The purpose of this
ministry is eloquently stated in its mission
statement: “To provide help and hope for
hurting people ... to meet human needs in an
interfaith community where those needs are
not currently met.” The Board of Directors is
comprised of representatives of participating
agencies.
Other programs offered include
counseling, Alzheimer’s Respite Care, support
groups, drug awareness for parents and
teens, parenting classes, rape crisis and sexual
assault. The various programs are manned
by volunteers from the community.
15
Citizens of Waynesboro receive excellent medical
care through its state-of-the-art hospital,
health department and doctors’ offices.
B
urke Medical Center provides excellent
medical care for the area. Managed by
Community Hospital Corporation, this 40-bed
medical center was opened in 1951. In addition
to providing general medical care, there are
two surgical suites. Other services provided are
respiratory therapy, physical therapy, enterostomal
therapy/wound care, Computerized Tomography
(CT) scans, mammography, ultrasounds, and
X-rays. The emergency room was renovated in
2009. The hospital is one of the largest employers
in Burke County with over 150 full and
part-time employees. With over 50 years of caring
for the community, Burke Medical Center truly
values our patients, medical staff and employees.
The Burke County Health Department,
located adjacent to the hospital, is a modern
facility offering essential health care and
assistance to the less affluent.
A vigorous and vital agency in health
services to the city and county is the Burke
County Emergency Management Agency. The
headquarters on the southern edge of the city
affords prompt and efficient treatment by
well-trained and dedicated technicians.
14
As part of the East Georgia Regional Library system,
Burke County residents enjoy the convenience of
the library system’s many resources including
online services via the library’s sophisticated website.
T
he Burke County Library, now affiliated
with the East Georgia Regional Library, was
originally sponsored by the Waynesboro Exchange
Club in 1950. The present building on Highway 24
near the Augusta Technical College campus was
built in the fall of 2005. Services offered include
no-cost access to the Internet, microfilm of The
True Citizen, a special Georgia room focusing
on the state, county and city history and all
services traditionally offered in a modern library.
Dogwoods,
azaleas,
flowering magnolias
and other specimens
line the streets
of Waynesboro.
7
Many historical churches are located throughout
Waynesboro including Haven A.M.E. (above).
C
hurches of every denomination are a
vital part of the city. Of particular historical
interest to the visitor are First Baptist
Church, 853 Liberty St.; First Presbyterian,
810 Myrick St.; Haven A.M.E., Barron Street;
Thomas Grove Baptist Church, 426 6th St.;
St. Michael’s Episcopal, 515 Liberty St.;
and First United Methodist, 802 Liberty St.
Waynesboro’s First Baptist Church was
organized in 1880, with the Rev. W. L. Kilpatrick
as its first pastor. The organizing members
were originally from the Rocky Creek Baptist
Church, established in rural Burke County
in 1789. In 1880, Waynesboro was a thriving
community of some 1,008 population with no
Baptist church. The Rev. Kilpatrick had served
as pastor of Rocky Creek. A church building
was begun in 1879 and completed in May,
1880. The present building was erected in 1935.
First Presbyterian was formed in 1810. The
present building was dedicated in 1884, the
third building on the present site. A historical
marker on the property recites its history.
Haven A.M.E. Church on Barron Street
is an excellent example of early southern
church architecture in the post-civil war
era. Organized in 1868, the church and the
school were founded and supported by the
8
Agriculture remains
the largest business
in Burke County.
Many industrial job
opportunities abound
in Waynesboro.
I
n cooperation with Burke County’s
industrial development organization and the
Chamber of Commerce, Waynesboro has
become in fact a part of The New South.
Galaxy Distribution, Legion Industries, Mr.
Golf Carts, Evercare (a Onecare Co.), Alstom,
FIAMM Technologies, Purification Cellutions
and Sam Dong (formerly ASTA Inc.) are
important factors in the local economy.
City and county have together provided
an industrial park and infrastructure capable
of supporting industrial growth and continues
to seek quality development. The city has
expanded sewage and water lines to
accommodate industrial and developmental
needs.
Mr. Golf Carts, a
leader in the
remanufacturing and
resale of golf carts, is
a local industry with
nationwide clientele.
13
Many retail opportunities abound in
Waynesboro. The gateway to the WaynesboroBurke County Industrial Park is near the
Highway 25 Bypass, the home of Hopkins
Corner anchored by Wal-Mart.
Small businesses are carving out niches
for themselves in Waynesboro. Many antique
dealers, local artists and craftsmen market
their creations here. The city presents an
excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs with
imagination and unique products or services
to establish a profitable business here. Five
banks serve the financial needs of the city and
county.
Today the city boasts excellent lodging
and restaurants to accommodate visitors. The
restoration of the Anthony Wayne Hotel
building and the inclusion of restaurants
and shops promise excellent opportunities
for new and exciting developments in the
economic climate of the city.
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church was
founded in 1889 and is of Gothic architecture.
Freedmen’s Aid Society of the Methodist
Episcopal Church (Northern). Named
for Bishop Gilbert Haven who took great
personal interest in the project, the academy
was created to educate former slaves and
prepare them for life as free citizens.
Today the church (erected in 1888) has been
restored by members and friends and is on the
state and national registry of historic places.
Thomas Grove Baptist Church on W. 6th
Street holds the distinction of being the city’s
oldest Baptist church. This African-American
fellowship was organized in 1870. The present
building was erected in 1908 and completely
renovated in the mid-1980s.
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church was
organized in 1890. An earlier attempt to
establish an Anglican church in Burke County
failed when the American Revolution stirred
bitter feelings between Patriots and Tories.
The present sanctuary of St. Michael’s was
built in 1894. A foundation stone from Old
Church (St. George’s begun in 1769) is laid in
the apse at St. Michael’s, just behind the altar.
Visitors will enjoy a visit to First United
Methodist Church to view the exquisite
stained glass memorial windows. This
congregation traces its roots to around 1812.
The present building was built in 1938.
12
9
The Waynesboro Primary School opened in
early 1999 and houses grades Kindergarten
through 2nd Grade.
On the city’s eastern border the Burke
County Board of Education has built four
new school buildings to house Waynesboro
Primary School, Blakeney Elementary,
Middle School, and the Burke County
High School. Ultra modern, these facilities
are equal to any in the southeast and offer
state-of-the-art technology in every
department in the system.
Edmund Burke Academy, established in
1960, is a private school offering grades K412. Current enrollment is 450. EBA boasts
an excellent academic program as well as
competitive sports teams in the Georgia
Independent Schools Association.
Waynesboro-Burke Campus of Augusta
Technical College offers day and evening classes.
The
Augusta
Technical
College
Waynesboro-Burke Campus is an
extension unit of the Georgia Department
of Technical and Adult Education which
provides excellent training and support
for business, industry, and individuals
wishing to upgrade their skills. The
school’s Quick Start program has been
an important factor in the area’s industrial
growth. T h i s f a c i l it y w a s m a d e a
reality through public and private
participation.
T
he Augusta-Savannah Parkway
enhances transportation to and from
Georgia’s port city, Savannah, and
provides easy access to interstate
highway systems. In addition, NorfolkSouthern Railroad serves the city.
Faith Christian Academy offers still
another choice for parents in the education
of their children. Organized in 2007, the
student body now totals 115 and offers K310. More information can be found on their
website at www.fcawaynesboro.org.
Many selections of lodging and dining are
available in Waynesboro ... “The Bird Dog
Capital of the World.”
10
11