Orange County, Virginia
Ballard-Marshall House
Barboursville
Berry Hill
Black Meadow
Bloomsbury
Burlington
Chestnut Hill
Exchange Hotel
Frascati
Gordonsville Historic District
Greenwood
Grelen
Hare Forest Farm
Lessland
Madison-Barbour Rural Historic District
Mayhurst
Montpelier
Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Mount Sharon
Old Manse
Orange Commercial Historic District
Orange County Courthouse
Orange High School
Orange Springs
Rebel Hall
Rocklands
Rockwood
Somerset Christian Church
St. Thomas Church
Tetley
Waddell Memorial Presbyterian Church
Willow Grove
Willston
140th New York State Vols.
A Busy Place
A Military Scene
A.P. Hill Escapes Capture
Alexander Spotswood's Enchanted Castle
An Uneasy Partnership
Archeology at Ellwood
Arm of Stonewall Jackson
Barboursville
Barboursville Ruins
Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of the Wilderness
Bloomsbury
Campaign of 1781
Campaign of Second Manassas
Campaign of Second Manassas
Capt. Andrew Maples Jr., Tuskegee Airman
Captain John Spotswood
Church of the Blind Preacher
Civil War & Gilmore Farm Trail
Civil War Encampment
Clash on the Orange Turnpike
Collision of Giants
Confederate Camp & Freedman's Farm Trail
Confederate Dead
Confederate Encampment
Crosthwaite Alley
Culpeper County / Orange County
Dedicated To The Fallen
Dolley Madison
Elder John Leland
Ellwood
Ellwood - Home and Workplace
Face Off
Fighting on the Evening of May 5, 1864
First Blood in Saunders Field
Fort Germanna
Fort Germanna Visitor Center
From Wilderness Run To Flat Run
General Zachary Taylor
Germanna
Germanna Ford
Germanna Ford
Gilmore Family Cemetery
Gilmore Farm
Giuseppe Oddenino
Gordon Flank Attack Trail
Gordon Inn
Gordonsville's Legendary Chicken Vendors
Gordon's Attack Falters
Gordon's Flank Attack
Gordon's Flank Attack
Governor James Barbour
Grant Comes to Virginia
Grant Takes Command
GrantÂ’s Headquarters
Hans Conrad Amberger
Hans Jacob Holtzclaw of Trupbach, Germany
Historic Downtown Orange
Homes for Enslaved Families
Honoring the People of Orange County
In Memory of the Soldiers, Both Confederate and Union
Isabella Lightfoot Training School
James Madison and Dolley Madison
Johannes Kemper and Ailsey Katherine Utterback
John Gordon Proposes a Flank Attack
Kemper's Grave
Key Terrain
Korean War Memorial
Lee's Headquarters
Little Zion Baptist Church
Madison Farm Complex
Madison-Barbour Rural Historic District
Madison-Barbour Rural Historic District
Mayhurst
Mine Run Campaign
Mine Run Campaign
Montebello
Montpelier and Madison's Tomb
Montpelier Flag Stop
Montpelier Train Station
Morning of May 6
Mount Pleasant c. 1750s
Oakley
Orange County / Spotsylvania County
Orange County Visitor Center
Orange Graded School
Orange Grove 1728 - 1864
Orange Grove 1865 - 1967
Orange Train Station
Post-Emancipation
Robinson's Tavern
Saunders Field
Shady Grove School
Site of the First German Reformed Church
Slave Cemetery
Spotswood
Spotswood Family Cemetery
St. Thomas Church
Struggle on the Orange Plank Road
Stuart's "Very Narrow Escape"
The African American Cemetery
The Apperson Family and Lake of the Woods
The Backyard
The Battle of PayneÂ’s Farm
The Battle of PayneÂ’s Farm
The Battle of PayneÂ’s Farm
The Battle of PayneÂ’s Farm
The Battle of PayneÂ’s Farm
The Battle of PayneÂ’s Farm
The Battle of PayneÂ’s Farm
The Battle of PayneÂ’s Farm
The Battle of the Wilderness
The Blacksmith Shop
The Campaign of 1781
The Capture of Winslow's Battery
The Confederate Defense
The Confederate Line
The Culpeper Mine Road
The Federals Fall Back
The Fighting Ends in Stalemate
The Garden
The Higgerson Farm
The Madison Family Cemetery
The Maplewood Memorial Association
The Marker Honors The Memory Of The Second Germanna Colony, 1717
The Mine Run Campaign
The Orange Railroad Depot
The Quarters
The Road
The Wilderness
The Yard: A Busy Place
The "Enchanted Castle" at Germanna, circa 1720-1750
Toil Without Choice at Ellwood
Town of Orange
Union Headquarters
Vietnam War Memorial
Welcome to The Exchange Hotel and Civil War Medical Museum
Welcome toÂ… The Town of Orange
Wilderness Battlefield Memorial
World War I Memorial
World War II Memorial
Wreck at the Fat Nancy
"A Wild, Wicked Roar"
“A Wild, Wicked Roar”
“Stonewall” Jackson’s Arm
During the American Revolution, Orange County played a significant role, with many residents actively participating in the fight for independence. The Battle of Germanna Ford, fought on the county's soil, saw American forces successfully halting the British Army's advance towards Charlottesville. Additionally, Orange County was home to several important figures of the revolution such as James Madison, who later became the 4th President of the United States.
In the early 19th century, Orange County saw the rise of the railroad industry, bringing newfound prosperity to the region. It became a hub for transportation and trade, leading to the growth of various industries. The county also served as a stop along the route for westward migration during the expansion of the United States.
Throughout its history, Orange County has preserved its historical landmarks and sites. The county is home to Montpelier, the estate of James Madison, which is now a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can explore not only the beautiful gardens and architecture but also gain insights into the life of one of America's Founding Fathers. The county also boasts other significant historic sites such as the Wilderness Battlefield, which played a pivotal role in the Civil War.
Today, Orange County continues to celebrate its history and heritage while also embracing modern development and growth. It remains a desirable place to live with its charming small towns, beautiful landscapes, and strong community ties.
Brief timeline of the history of Orange County, Virginia:
- 1734: Orange County is officially formed as a county in the Colony of Virginia.
- Late 18th Century: Orange County becomes an important hub of commerce and trade.
- 1861-1865: Orange County is affected by the American Civil War, with battles and skirmishes occurring in the area.
- Early 20th Century: Orange County experiences economic decline due to the decline of agriculture and the Great Depression.
- 1935: The Rapidan Dam is constructed, forming Lake Orange and providing a source of hydroelectric power.
- 1975: The Town of Orange is designated as a National Historic Landmark.
- 1990s: Orange County experiences rapid growth and suburbanization as part of the larger Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
- 21st Century: Orange County continues to grow and evolve, balancing its historic importance with modern development.
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Orange County, Virginia.