Orange County was settled in 1714, when Alexander Spotswood, Lt. Governor of Virginia from 1710 thru 1722 established Germanna as a frontier settlement for the German miners and their families. In 1716, Governor Spotswood led a group, "The Knights of the Golden Horseshoe," across the Blue Ridge Mountains to encourage westward expansion.

Orange County Virginia's government was formed in 1734, twenty years after the first settlement. The present courthouse, which is currently undergoing renovations, was built in 1858. Twelve years later, in 1870, the town of Gordonsville incorporated. The town of Orange, which has been the judicial seat of the county since the 1750's incorporated two years later in 1872. The county was the site of several major campaigns during the Civil War. In March of 1862, the Exchange Hotel in Gordonsville, now renovated and open to the public, was transformed from an elegant hotel for Virginia Central Railway passengers to a Confederate Army Recieving Hospital for the wounded Civil War soldiers that arrived via the railroad that runs nearby.

Montpelier was the home of our fourth president, James Madison, also known as the "Father of the Constitution". Madison and his wife, Dolley, retired to Montpelier, which is located just south of the Town of Orange. He lived there until his death in 1836. Montpelier is now being renovated by it's owner, the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The mansion and the grounds are open to the public. The nations first museum honoring Madison, The James Madison Museum, is located in the Town of Orange on Caroline Street.

Orange County was also the birthplace of our twelfth president, Zachary Taylor. He was born in 1784 at Montebello, near Barboursville.

In May 1864, General Lee and General Grant met for the first time during the Wilderness campaign at the Wilderness Battlefield, located in the eastern part of the County. This battle resulted in 26,000 casualties, and marked Grant's first steps toward Appomattox.

For further information about the County's history you may contact the Historical Society, 130 Caroline Street, or call them at 540-672-5366. Tourism information is available through the Department of Tourism & Visitors Bureau, 122 East Main Street (Orange Train Station). Phone numbers; toll free 877-222-8072, local 540-672-1653. Click here to go to the Tourism Department's web site.