orange

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 Lone Star State, goes back 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 worshipped ancestors whom 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 afterwards the state of Texas. This point,on the Sabine River, first was known as Green's Bluff; also as Huntly. 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 the 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 the 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 it's toll of lives and property. When hostilities ceased, tragedy continued. A reign of terror marked by extreme lawlessness followed the end of the war 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 it's 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 contruction 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 7000 residents became a bustling "booming" city of approximately 60,000 residents. Its shipyards again built ships and other local industries were expanded to meet the 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 the 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, ports and Naval Station remained in the city and by this time additional industries and businesses were being developed.

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