John Wallace Jr.
Waynesboro, Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Laid out the present town in 1797 and named it Waynesburg in honor of General Anthony Wayne. In 1831, name changed to Waynesboro. Stone portion of the Wallace house still stands about 200 yards southeast of here.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1797 John Wallace Jr. platted the streets of a new town in the fertile Cumberland Valley and named it Waynesburg to honor General Anthony Wayne, the fiery Revolutionary War commander known as "Mad Anthony." The name was changed to Waynesboro in 1831 to avoid confusion with other Pennsylvania towns of similar name. The stone portion of Wallace's own house still stands nearby, a survivor of the founding era.
Why it matters
It records the deliberate act of town-founding that spread orderly settlement across the early American backcountry, and the enduring habit of naming new places for Revolutionary heroes.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum4.8 mi away
- Frederick County Fire Museum13.2 mi away · 300 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD
- Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Visitor Center13.3 mi away
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · John Wallace Jr.
- · Anthony Wayne
Themes & tags
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