Hometown spirit and history define the town of Orange
The town of Orange, the county seat of Orange County, gives residents a slower-paced lifestyle and a sense of community pride. Before its incorporation in 1872, the town served as General Lee’s headquarters for a period of time. Following the Civil War, the community transitioned into a railroad hub and then into a center of silk manufacturing. Today, the downtown district along Main Street is lined with buildings in the post-Civil War architectural style, providing a vintage presence. The town’s former silk mill, which is now a popular restaurant and event venue, received a Presidential citation for making silk for parachutes during World War II. Orange is steeped in history, but it’s the close-knit community of about 5,000 residents that attracts those looking for an unhurried environment. “It’s family and that small-town feel that keeps me here,” says Elaine Seal, an English teacher at the local Prospect Heights Middle School who was born and raised in Orange. “Our Main Street has grown from an old drug store and a pharmacy to little shops where you can get a nice gift for someone. There’s not a lot, like a city would provide. But we’re central to many places, so people can work somewhere bigger and still live somewhere more rural without having to drive far.” Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia, is about 30 miles southwest, and Washington, D.C. is a 90-mile commute northeast.
Local eateries and inns line Route 15 and Main Street
Route 15, one of the major thoroughfares through Orange, is dotted with local establishments and eateries. Silk Mill Grille is housed in a former 1920s silk mill, fittingly adorned with antique decor and an American-inspired menu of steak and seafood. Where Route 15 meets Main Street, the Main Street Tavern puts an upscale spin on American fare. The menu features wings, sandwiches, pastas and craft cocktails. “It’s a fabulous place to eat,” says Seal. “The owner—I taught her son—is welcoming to everyone. We can have a conversation about what’s new in town. Another former student of mine is the cook; they make a pear salad that is to die for. It’s a seasonal dish, and I’m so sad when it goes away.”
On Orange’s north side, the Inn at Willow Grove is a historic hotel and luxury spa with a restaurant and gastropub. The compound, originally constructed in 1778 in the American Neoclassical style, served as a farm with different trade buildings, like a smokehouse and a weaving house. It then underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation, completed in 2010.
Vintage Victorians mix with updated Colonial-styles
Orange is mostly comprised of single-family homes, with a median sale price of about $415,000. Buyers can find midcentury ranch-styles and early 20th century Cape Cod styles with less than 1,000 square feet to 2,000 square feet of space, ranging in price from $160,000 to $400,000. Prices typically depend on the level of updates, as some reflect more modern features and others maintain a vintage quality. Some also might sit tightly next to neighbors on dense, oak tree-lined streets, while others have more breathing room on an acre or more. There are also updated two-level Victorians, Colonial Revivals and rambling ranch styles that offer 2,000 to 4,000 square feet of space for between $270,000 and $570,000. Some properties are in a subdivision called Orange Estates, and others sit on multiple acres of meticulous acres towards the outskirts of town. A new housing development on Orange’s northwest quarter features 2,000-square-foot Colonial-inspired Craftsman homes with multi-car garages priced from $400,000 to $475,000.
Parks and churches anchor Orange’s downtown core
Along Orange’s historic Main Street, residents can find the courthouse and the town clerk, as well as the Orange School of Performing Arts. The renowned arts studio educates dancers ages 3 to 18. Nearby, Taylor Park has a fountain and memorial statues. Also on Main Street, the small Hazel-Sedwick Park is home to a playground. Veteran’s Park, on the west side of town, offers a playground, green space and a paved walking trail.
Just off the main drag but still in the historic downtown area, St. Thomas Episcopal Church was the first house of worship in Orange. Founded in 1740, St. Thomas was constructed by former president Thomas Jefferson’s master mason to resemble the Jeffersonian Classicism buildings at the University of Virginia. “It’s kind of a landmark,” Seal says. Seal also mentions that there are many other churches in town, including Orange Baptist Church. “They do a lot of community outreach. Recently, they purchased some property out past CVS on Route 15 to build a facility for the soccer association, so kids in the recreational league can practice there,” she says.
B-minus-rated Orange public schools serve the community
Orange County Public Schools, which receives a B-minus rating from Niche, serves Orange students. The district is comprised of six elementary schools, including Orange Elementary School, and two middle schools, including Prospect Heights Middle School. Orange County High School is the only high school in the county. All three schools hold a B-minus. The high school campus features the Hornets Sports Center Field House, a 52,000-square-foot athletics facility that houses a three-court gymnasium, indoor track, weight rooms and classrooms. The football stadium is located about 2 miles west of campus at Porterfield Park, right next to Orange Elementary. The stadium also hosts baseball, softball and soccer games.
Less than 2 miles north of Orange is Woodberry Forest School. The private, all-boys boarding school enrolls 400 students each year and receives an A-plus rating from Niche. The institution is ranked the No. 1 All-Boys High School in Virginia, as well as the best high school for athletes in the state.
Route 15 and Route 20 connect residents to nearby towns
U.S. Route 15 runs north-south through the entirety of Orange, leading to the neighboring towns of Gordonsville and Culpeper. State Route 20, another main artery, brings drivers east to communities like Locust Grove and Lake of the Woods. The Town of Orange Transit System, or the TOOT bus, picks up passengers from several stops throughout Orange. Bus riders can get to Gordonsville for 50 cents.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
