Historic Presbyterian Cemetery is the burial place for 25 Civil War veterans and casualties as well as other Waynesboro citizens of military, civil, and religious note. The first burial was recorded in 1815, though the graveyard may have been used as early as the late 18th century. A log church, long gone now, was built on this hill in 1798 by a small Presbyterian congregation. As far as we can tell, no one has been buried in this cemetery for more than 80 years. Once you have found the cache, feel free to walk respectfully about the grounds, as this cemetery is the property of the city and is not privately owned. Many headstones still stand. However, a number have been damaged by weather or vandals. In order to make room for the building of Willow Oak Plaza (originally the Centre for Shopping) a portion of Presbyterian Cemetery's hill was carved away. This destroyed some of the iron fencing, and some of the graves were relocated to the newer, larger Riverview Cemetery. In 2002 the Waynesboro Historic Commission took on the task of identifying the remnants in the cemetery. Fallen gravestones, many in pieces, were found scattered beneath a huge oak tree. With the help of the city, they moved the fragments of gravestones from under the tree and they placed them in a row with faces up. Then began the process identification. Further plans include making a public record of the names and stone locations and having a local blacksmith make a new iron fence. Those of us who love Waynesboro hope the funding for this will come through some day soon. This cemetery is a place of significance, a lovely and moving reminder of those who lived and died before us. To the northwest of the cache spot, you will see an old red brick house with a newer section added on to the rear. This is Mason Hall, built in 1819. It served as Waynesboro’s first Masonic Lodge & first school.