Waynesboro and Wayne County were named for "Mad Anthony" Wayne - a general in the Revolutionary War, state legislator and congressman. Like the rest of the county, Waynesboro was founded around the middle of the 19th century.
Much of the county's population was divided over the Civil War. About as many residents sided with the Union as went with the Confederacy.
As far back as 1733, French traders navigated this area using maps that were based on hunting paths which stretched from Mississippi into Tennessee. By 1810, the trail evolved into a clearly marked road that we now know as the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Average high temperatures reach 89 degrees around late July/early August, with average lows dropping to 25 degrees in January. Monthly precipitation has an average of 5 inches with about 4.7 inches of snowfall each year.
Higher education is provided by the University of North Alabama just 30 miles away. Other alternatives within 70 miles or less include Northwest Shoals Community College - Muscle Shoals, Columbia State Community College and Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Wayne Medical Center serves local health care needs.
Wayne County is an unheralded paradise for sportsmen. This is evidenced by the fact that it is the second largest county in Tennessee, yet has the least population per square mile. People from all over the country come here to hunt, camp and fish. Despite our many visitors, hunting and fishing areas remain uncrowded. There are more than 10,000 acres of privately owned and managed lands for such recreational pursuits.
The wildlife population includes deer, turkey and much more game. Tennessee Wildlife Refuge is located in our county, and the refuge in turn borders the Tennessee River.
Kentucky Lake was developed to produce electric power as well as provide flood control, navigation and recreation on the Tennessee River, the nation's fifth largest river system. The Tennessee River is also a direct route to the Gulf of Mexico through the Tennessee - Tombigbee Waterway System. These waters provide unsurpassed recreation opportunities to visitors. If you like to boat, fish, water ski, hike, camp or just relax and enjoy the view, you can do it all here.
The fun on the water continues on numerous regional lakes. Head to lakes such as Pickwick, Wilson, Wheeler or Laurel Hill for even more boating and fishing as well as camping, hiking and picnicking opportunities by the water.
Waynesboro is where you'll find the historic Natural Bridge. This formation may be the only double-span natural bridge formation in the world, and it was used by Native Americans throughout many different periods of history.