Orange, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Orange is a town in Orange County
, Virginia
, United States
. The population was 4,721 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat
of Orange County
. Orange is northeast of Charlottesville
, and near Montpelier.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 8.6 sqkm, of which 8.56 sqkm is land and 0.04 sqkm, or 0.49%, is water.
of 2000, there were 4,123 people, 1,607 households, and 1,010 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,274.1 people per square mile (491.3/km²). There were 1,712 housing units at an average density of 529.0 per square mile (204.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 76.84% White, 20.96% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.68% from other races
, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.70% of the population.
There were 1,607 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples
living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $28,576, and the median income for a family was $38,103. Males had a median income of $30,439 versus $19,233 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,805. About 16.1% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.
, Orange was the center of commerce and justice for Orange County, Virginia
, and a number of antebellum
buildings survive today. For this reason, the Orange Commercial Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
In 1800, Paul Verdier purchased the property of William Bell, an 18th century farm that included much of the modern-day town of Orange. Bell's Tavern was a part of this property, which Verdier renamed the Orange Hotel. The Orange Hotel stood at the site of what is now the historic Orange Court House (constructed in 1859). In 1819, Verdier relocated his residence to a house he named Montpeliso, which is still extant.
Shortly thereafter, Verdier divided his property into town lots, creating a town layout that survives largely intact. By 1830, at least two federal-style brick structures were standing on West Main. One is locally known as the Sparks building, and the other as the Doctor Holladay House
. The oldest building in Orange is a brick structure called Spring Garden.
Orange was a strategically important location during the American Civil War
. Just north of town, the Rapidan River
was effectively the northern border of the Confederacy
from March 1862 to May 1864. Consequently, the area witnessed countless troop movements, patrols, skirmishes, and encampments. In addition, the town of Orange served as General Robert E. Lee
's headquarters during that time. In fact, General Lee worshipped at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Caroline Street, which still stands today. This church is also significant because it served as a hospital for Confederate wounded after the Battle of Chancellorsville
and the Battle of the Wilderness
. Lee passed by this church many times during his stay in Orange, and Mort Künstler
, an artist of American historical subjects, immortalized this scene in his painting Soldier of Faith.
Following the devastation to Warrenton, Virginia
, during the Civil War, George Scott Shackelford
moved from Warrenton to Charlottesville
and later to Orange in 1881, where he was an attorney, Mayor
of Orange, member of the Virginia House of Delegates
, the Virginia State Senate, the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
, and later judge of the Ninth Virginia Judicial Circuit. Shackelford married Virginia Minor Randolph, daughter of Dr. Wilson Cary Nicholas Randolph of Charlottesville, great-great-grandson of President Thomas Jefferson
. Shackelford resided at his residence "The Poplars" outside Orange. His descendants
also lived at Willow Grove plantation, two miles from Orange. The Shackelford family later took an active role in the Monticello Association
.
The town continued to thrive into the twentieth century. Fire destroyed much of the eastern part of town in 1908, but many of the buildings constructed shortly after the fire still remain. In fact, Orange was well-known for its silk
mill, which produced many of the parachute
s used by U.S. troops during World War II
. The silk mill finally closed in the 1970s, but the building still remains and is used by local businesses, including a restaurant.
. The newspaper focuses on local community news. Public notices from Orange County
commissioners also appear in the newspaper.
Orange County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,881 people, 10,150 households, and 7,470 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 11,354 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 4,721 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Orange County
Orange County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,881 people, 10,150 households, and 7,470 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 11,354 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
. Orange is northeast of Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
, and near Montpelier.
Geography
Orange is located at 38°14′45"N 78°6′35"W (38.245894, -78.109786).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 8.6 sqkm, of which 8.56 sqkm is land and 0.04 sqkm, or 0.49%, is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,123 people, 1,607 households, and 1,010 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,274.1 people per square mile (491.3/km²). There were 1,712 housing units at an average density of 529.0 per square mile (204.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 76.84% White, 20.96% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.68% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.70% of the population.
There were 1,607 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $28,576, and the median income for a family was $38,103. Males had a median income of $30,439 versus $19,233 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $16,805. About 16.1% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.
Orange County School System
- 1: Orange County High SchoolOrange County High SchoolOrange County High School is a high school for children from grades nine to twelve located in Orange, Virginia.- History :Dedicated on November 9, 1952 at an approximate cost of US$1,150,000, Orange County High School combined students from the Orange & Unionville High Schools, and the...
- 2: Prospect Heights Middle School
- 3: Locust Grove Middle School
- 4: Locust Grove Elementary School
- 5: Orange Elementary School
- 6: Unionville Elementary School (Pre-k thru 2)
- 7: Gordon-Barbour Upper Elementary School
- 8: Lightfoot Upper Elementary School (grades 3-5)
- 9: unnamed school currently under development in east end of the county
- 10: (TEAC) Taylor Educational Administration Complex (school administrative offices)
Heritage sites
The town of Orange contains numerous examples of historic architecture, as well as several notable historic sites. Prior to the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Orange was the center of commerce and justice for Orange County, Virginia
Orange County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,881 people, 10,150 households, and 7,470 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 11,354 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
, and a number of antebellum
Antebellum architecture
Antebellum architecture is a term used to describe the characteristic neoclassical architectural style of the Southern United States, especially the Old South, from after the birth of the United States in the American Revolution, to the start of the American Civil War...
buildings survive today. For this reason, the Orange Commercial Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
In 1800, Paul Verdier purchased the property of William Bell, an 18th century farm that included much of the modern-day town of Orange. Bell's Tavern was a part of this property, which Verdier renamed the Orange Hotel. The Orange Hotel stood at the site of what is now the historic Orange Court House (constructed in 1859). In 1819, Verdier relocated his residence to a house he named Montpeliso, which is still extant.
Shortly thereafter, Verdier divided his property into town lots, creating a town layout that survives largely intact. By 1830, at least two federal-style brick structures were standing on West Main. One is locally known as the Sparks building, and the other as the Doctor Holladay House
Holladay House
Formerly called the Doctor Holladay House, the Holladay House in Orange, Virginia is on the nationally recognized . Named for Dr. Lewis Holladay, a prominent Virginia physician, the Holladay House has witnessed almost two centuries of American history...
. The oldest building in Orange is a brick structure called Spring Garden.
Orange was a strategically important location during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Just north of town, the Rapidan River
Rapidan River
The Rapidan River, flowing through north-central Virginia in the United States, is the largest tributary of the Rappahannock River. The two rivers converge just west of the city of Fredericksburg...
was effectively the northern border of the Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
from March 1862 to May 1864. Consequently, the area witnessed countless troop movements, patrols, skirmishes, and encampments. In addition, the town of Orange served as General Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
's headquarters during that time. In fact, General Lee worshipped at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Caroline Street, which still stands today. This church is also significant because it served as a hospital for Confederate wounded after the Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
and the Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 5–7, 1864, was the first battle of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Both armies suffered heavy casualties, a harbinger of a bloody war of attrition by...
. Lee passed by this church many times during his stay in Orange, and Mort Künstler
Mort Künstler
Mort Künstler is a historical artist in the United States of America whose work now focuses mainly on the American Civil War. Before he turned to the Civil War in the early 1980s, he had built a body of work that dealt with America's national story: from portraits of prehistoric American life to...
, an artist of American historical subjects, immortalized this scene in his painting Soldier of Faith.
Following the devastation to Warrenton, Virginia
Warrenton, Virginia
Warrenton is a town in Fauquier County, Virginia, United States. The population was 6,670 at the 2000 census, and 14,634 at the 2010 estimate. It is the county seat of Fauquier County. Public schools in the town include Fauquier High School, Warrenton Middle School, Taylor Middle School and two...
, during the Civil War, George Scott Shackelford
Shacklefords, Virginia
Shacklefords is an unincorporated community in King and Queen County, Virginia, United States. It derives its name from the Shackleford family, of whom the earliest American ancestor was Roger Shackelford, who was born in Old Alresford in the English county of Hampshire in 1629...
moved from Warrenton to Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
and later to Orange in 1881, where he was an attorney, Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Orange, member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
, the Virginia State Senate, the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, and later judge of the Ninth Virginia Judicial Circuit. Shackelford married Virginia Minor Randolph, daughter of Dr. Wilson Cary Nicholas Randolph of Charlottesville, great-great-grandson of President Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
. Shackelford resided at his residence "The Poplars" outside Orange. His descendants
First Families of Virginia
First Families of Virginia were those families in Colonial Virginia who were socially prominent and wealthy, but not necessarily the earliest settlers. They originated with colonists from England who primarily settled at Jamestown, Williamsburg, and along the James River and other navigable waters...
also lived at Willow Grove plantation, two miles from Orange. The Shackelford family later took an active role in the Monticello Association
Monticello Association
Founded in 1913, the Monticello Association is a non-profit organization of the lineal descendants of Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of the United States. Jefferson was the designer, builder, owner and principal resident of Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia. Historically the Association has...
.
The town continued to thrive into the twentieth century. Fire destroyed much of the eastern part of town in 1908, but many of the buildings constructed shortly after the fire still remain. In fact, Orange was well-known for its silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
mill, which produced many of the parachute
Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
s used by U.S. troops during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The silk mill finally closed in the 1970s, but the building still remains and is used by local businesses, including a restaurant.
Notable natives and residents
- Nannie Helen BurroughsNannie Helen BurroughsNannie Helen Burroughs, was an African American educator, orator, religious leader, and businesswoman. She gained national recognition for her 1900 speech "How the Sisters Are Hindered from Helping," at the National Baptist Convention. She founded the National Training School for Women and Girls...
, African American educator, orator, religious leader and businesswoman - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, professional wrestler and actor
- Chris HaneyChris HaneyChristopher Deane Haney is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1991–2000 and in 2002 for the Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox. In 2001, he played in Japan for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. Haney gave up...
, Major League Baseball pitcher - Larry HaneyLarry HaneyWallace Larry Haney is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played from 1966-1978 for the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Pilots, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, and Milwaukee Brewers. Haney later served as bullpen coach with the Brewers...
, MLB catcher and coach - Patrick KilpatrickPatrick KilpatrickRobert Donald Kilpatrick, Jr. is an American character actor with over 85 film and TV appearances to his credit. He made his film debut relatively late in 1985 with The Toxic Avenger.-Life and career:...
, actor - Howie LongHowie LongHoward "Howie" Matthew Moses Long is an American former National Football League defensive end and actor. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000...
, NFL player, commentator and actor - Randolph ScottRandolph ScottRandolph Scott was an American film actor whose career spanned from 1928 to 1962. As a leading man for all but the first three years of his cinematic career, Scott appeared in a variety of genres, including social dramas, crime dramas, comedies, musicals , adventure tales, war films, and even a few...
, westernWestern (genre)The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
film actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity... - James TaliaferroJames TaliaferroJames Piper Taliaferro was a US Senator from Florida who served as a Democrat from 1899 to 1911.-Biography:...
, former U.S. senatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
for FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
Media
The Orange County Review is a weekly newspaper based in Orange, owned by Media GeneralMedia General
Media General, Inc. is a media company based in the Southeastern United States. Its major properties include newspapers such as The Tampa Tribune, the Winston-Salem Journal, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, as well as numerous television stations, such as flagship station WFLA-TV.The company was...
. The newspaper focuses on local community news. Public notices from Orange County
Orange County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,881 people, 10,150 households, and 7,470 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 11,354 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
commissioners also appear in the newspaper.