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There are a number of stories about how Orange got its name. One of the most popular is that Orange was named in 1846 after William, Prince of Orange, who later became the King of Holland. The city has grown from its rich mining past in the 1850s where the district had gold finds at Ophir and Lucknow. The railways arrived in the 1870s also bringing more residents to the city. Traditionally with the railways comes economic growth, and Orange has experienced much growth since its beginnings.

Lucknow Bismarch Poppet Head

Historic Duntry League Country Club

Mining relics, country mansions and historic homes restored to their former glory will delight all history buffs. The museums of the district demonstrate life as in Orange from the 1880s. A signposted Heritage Trail around Orange gives visitors a picture of Orange before the turn of the 19th Century.

Orange is well known as the birthplace of Australia’s famous poet, Banjo Paterson. A monument marking Banjo’s home is located just out of town and an annual festival celebrates Banjo’s life in Orange.

Kenneth Slessor, one of Australia’s most important modern poets, was also born in Orange. Slessor spent his early years in Orange, before moving to Sydney.

The Municipality of Orange was established in 1860 to cater for a population of 400 within the one square mile village area. Of the 54 eligible voters, 49 voted in the February elections. Early preoccupation of the Council centred on water supply, flooding of Blackman’s Swamp Creek and street improvements such as stump-clearing and sealing. By 1877, Council was still trying to persuade the State Government to 'finance a more permanent and secure supply of water'. The issue of ground water contamination was raised, where it was stated that 'it is simply a question of time when the wells become contaminated'.

The pollution that had been forecast eventuated in 1890, with an outbreak of Typhoid. The situation was alleviated that year with Gosling Creek reservoir. A water supply scheme was commenced in 1914 on Meadow Creek, the original first choice for the water supply, which was later abandoned to become Lake Canobolas. The major town parks, Cook and Robertson, were set aside and progressively developed from the 1890s. During this period, the Town Hall was also constructed. Gas lighting provided in 1877 came under municipal ownership in 1888.

East Orange Municipality was also established that year and was subsequently amalgamated with Orange in 1912. Work commenced on construction of a concrete channel for Blackman’s Swamp Creek in 1887, which was subsequently improved in 1836.

The sewerage system was commenced in January 1915 and completed in October 1918, to be later extended to East Orange in 1922.

In 1928, the water supply was supplemented with the construction of Spring Creek Reservoir.

In 1946, the population exceeded the necessary 15,000, so on 19th July, 1946, Orange was proclaimed a City.

In 1958, work commenced on the Suma Park Reservoir to complete the water storage network to-date.

The post-war period was a time of consolidation in the City until the early 1970s with the introduction of the Bathurst/Orange Growth Centre. Although its implementation was not successful, the Growth Centre strategy provided the basis for planned growth and development of the City. As a consequence, major sewer and water supply augmentation schemes were carried out in the early 1980s, to cater for future growth. The road hierarchy principles in the Growth Centre structure plans for Orange, were incorporated in the distributor road.

The next few years should witness major changes in the area, due to the imminent development of the Cadia Gold Mine and associated industries. The economic and social benefits should be quite enormous.

Major improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant are also envisaged in the near future. Together with the co-operation and funding provided by the Commonwealth and State Governments, Council is to construct a major nutrient removal plant to largely eliminate phosphorus pollution from the Treatment Plant.

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