Agriculture, the availability of iron ore, the smelting of pig iron, the art of casting metal, and the ingenuity and genius of a handful of unique, talented individuals had much to do with the formation and growth of the area’s metalworking industry.

The first iron-producing furnace in Franklin County was built in 1783 near Mount Pleasant in Path Valley. The Mont Alto Furnace, started in 1807, was the closest to Waynesboro.

Along came men like George Frick, Peter Geiser, John Metcalfe, and Abe and Frank Landis in the mid-to-late eighteen hundreds. Relying heavily on cast parts, they took paper and pencil in hand to design, make, and remake part and products until they had it right. No computers, numerical controlled machines or specialized skilled staffs— just determination, self-confidence, and the sweat of their brow.

The efforts of these individuals resulted in companies like Frick, Geiser, Landis Tool, and Landis Machine, all of whom became world renown selling world class products long before the term “world class” was coined. The Geiser company is no longer in existence, but Frick—York International, Landis Gardner—An Allegheny Technologies company are still active organizations. Local industry wealth is further enhanced by Beck Manufacturing, maker of pipe nipples and couplings, and Grove International, the world’s largest manufacturer of mobile cranes and lifts. There were, of course, others who started business, some of which flourished, and others that fell by the wayside.

From this relatively small area came threshing machines, pipe nipples, and couplings, steam and gasoline engines, tire chains, grinding machines, phonographs, threading machines and tools, mobile truck cranes, ornamental iron fencing, even the early beginnings of an auto.

As reflected in the organization’s mission statement, the museum is not only committed to preserving the area’s history, but also to recognizing present industrial accomplishments while keeping an eye on the future.

Trio of Trolley Enthusiasts Want to Know if You Remember Riding Through Waynesboro

In conjunction with their current museum display, “Our Waynesboro Transportation Heritage,” members of the Waynesboro Area Industrial Heritage Trust are preparing to sponsor a presentation about the town’s trolley system, which operated during the first 32 years of the 20^th century. 

David McCarney, Ed Miller and Gordon Heidelbach will present “Do you Remember Riding the Trolley Through Town?” beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Waynesboro Industrial Museum on Tuesday, January 10.  The three men have examined engineering maps and researched the route of the Chambersburg, Greencastle and Waynesboro Street Railway System, a popular method of transportation from 1900-1932.  Now, they’re ready to take a trip back in time to teach others about the role the trolleys played in forming the history of Franklin County.

The Waynesboro Industrial Museum is located at 334 Philadelphia Avenue.  Parking is available behind the museum, along Philadelphia Avenue, and in the parking lot of Grace Brethren Church on South Potomac Street.

About the speakers:

David McCarney is a Waynesboro native who grew up in the small town before graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1972 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  He is a co-owner of Control Consultants in Waynesboro.  McCarney has a lifetime passion for tracked transportation with vast experience in the local trolley system.

Ed Miller is a well-known resident of Waynesboro who has served the community in many capacities, including active membership in the Waynesboro Lions Club, the Waynesboro Beneficial Fund Board and consistory at Trinity United Church of Christ.  Considered by many to be the “quintessential historian” of the Waynesboro area, Miller spent many years as the resident caretaker of what is now Renfrew Museum & Park.

Gordon Heidelbach moved to town in 1996, eventually joining the Waynesboro Historical Society, where he chaired the Harbaugh Church Committee until last year.  Heidelbach has had an interest in the workings of the railroad system for most of his life, but the passion grew stronger when he began volunteering, as part of the engine crew for the Southern Railway Steam Specials during excursions through the state of Virginia.

Waynesboro Teacher Visits the Museum to Speak on the “Pre-Explosion of Industry” in Local Area

The Waynesboro Industrial Museum was packed with visitors on Tuesday, October 11 when the Waynesboro Historical Society and the Waynesboro Industrial Heritage Trust co-sponsored a presentation by Darwin G. Seiler on the “Pre-Explosion of Industry in the Waynesboro Area.” Seiler addressed reasons for the emergence of industry in our area, specifically during the period of 1850 to 1865. He also spoke to the events that “set the stage,” enabling such industrial pioneers as Frick, Geiser and Landis to “hit the road running.”

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During the evening, Jared Wagaman, one of Seiler’s former students, unveiled his “Senior Project,” a model depicting the “Industrial History of Waynesboro” from 1900-1945.  Wagaman was awarded an “A” for the project, which showed the geographical location of the Frick, Geiser, Landis Tool and Landis Machine Companies and also included an historical industry narrative.  The 20-year-old graduated from Waynesboro Area Senior High School in 2011.