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Orange County ~

Exceedingly rich in history, Orange County was created in 1734 and named in honor of William, Prince of Orange and husband of Anne, Princess Royal of England.

Orange County has the distinction of having been the largest Virginia County ever formed. Orange County covered the vast unknown territory extending from its present eastern boundary to the Mississippi River on the west and to the Great Lakes on the north.

In 1722 King George I awarded patents totaling 13,500 acres to James Taylor II, a former Knight of the Golden Horseshoe, who in time gave his daughter Frances and her husband Ambrose Madison 2,500 acres. Both their home-site, Mount Pleasant, and Montpelier, home of their grandson, James Madison, were both established on this land.

Two of Taylor's great-grandsons became Presidents of the United States - Zachary Taylor, who was born in Orange County and James Madison of Montpelier. Madison became known as the "Father of the Constitution".

Travel the "Constitution Route" Virginia State Route 20 and visit presidential homes, Civil War Battlefields, wineries and other historic sites. Four United States Presidents - Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Taylor - were either born or built their private estates along this historic ninety-mile route. A short drive from Madison's Montpelier is Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland.

Web Links to Orange County:

Orange County Government:  http://www.orangecova.com/orangecohome.htm

Town of Orange:  http://www.townoforangeva.org/

Visit Orange County: http://www.visitocva.com/

Orange County Chamber of Commerce: http://www.orangevachamber.com/