The City of Orange
officially came into existence in 1836, the year Texas
won its independence from Mexico.
However, its history, like that of the LoneStarState,
goes back many, many years prior to that memorable date.
The area's first known inhabitants were the Atacapas Indians, who arrived about
1600. They lived mostly on seafood and wild game and worshiped ancestors who
they believed came from the sea.
In 1718 the French came and were followed about 50 years later by the Spanish.
The French developed a thriving pelt industry as traders by taking advantage of
cheap Indian labor and the area's natural supply of fur-bearing animals. Less
successful in their exploitations than their predecessors, the Spanish gave way
to the rising tide of American expansion and development.
Early in the 18th Century, the high banks on the Texas
side of the Sabine River started their attraction for
the early pioneers who dared to enter the land destined to be the Republic
of Texas and afterward the State of
Texas. This point on the Sabine
River first was known as Green's Bluff; also as Huntley. It was
named for a man by the name of Green who surveyed the first land plot on the
site. There was also a time when the community was known as the Lower Town of
Jefferson. At another time it was known as Madison,
in honor of President James Madison, who then was serving his second term in
office. Due to confusion with the town of Madisonville,
Texas, it became necessary to
give the growing community a new name. Because of the native orange groves that
had attracted the attention of boatmen as they navigated the Sabine
River, it was an easy matter to select the name of "Orange."
The town grew steadily as a strategic link between East and West of this vast
country. It served as a port for ships sailing the Sabine River
with cotton as the prevalent cargo. Lumber, cattle and agriculture also were
important in the growth and development of the area.
The war between the States had disastrous effects on Orange
by taking its toll of lives and property. When hostilities ceased, tragedy
continued. A reign of terror marked by extreme lawlessness followed the end of
the was for a decade.
And, in 1865, one of the worst wind and rain storms in Orange's
history hit the area, leaving more death and destruction in its wake.
Although these events hampered progress, ranchers were restocked with cattle,
additional experiments were made in agriculture and more lumber mills were
built. Orange once again emerged on
the path of development. A big step forward for the city came in 1914 when the
harbor was dredged to accommodate large ships. The operation was a great
improvement to water transportation facilities and enabled the construction of
ships here during World War I. Wartime production resulted in a decided
increase in the city's population. Several years of prosperity followed the end
of the war. Then came the depression with World War II marking the end of those
trying times.
Almost overnight the small town of Orange
with its some 7,000 residents became a bustling "booming" city of approximately
60,000 residents. Its shipyards again built ships and other local industries
were expanded to meet tremendous wartime demands. A U.S. Naval Station was
installed and additional housing was provided for thousands of defense workers
and servicemen and their families.
All of the growth in Orange during
the war years did not disappear with the end of hostilities. Many persons who
came in those days stayed to make their homes and raise their families here.
After the adjustment was made from wartime production to peace-time output, the
population in the Orange area stabilized at around
35,000. The shipyards, lumber mills, port and Naval Station remained in the
city and by this time additional industries and businesses were being
developed.
The city is located in one of the most promising industrial areas on the
fast-growing GulfCoast.
Orange offers its citizens
practically everything they may desire in the way of employment, recreation and
shopping facilities. Its future is bright; beside developing into an industrial
center, Orange is taking great
strides forward in other respects to give residents a well-rounded community
life.