Orange, Texas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Orange is a city in Orange County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 18,643. It is the county seat of Orange CountyGR6, and is situated in East Texas. Located on the Sabine River, it lies east of Beaumont. Founded in 1836, it is a deep-water port (to the Gulf of Mexico).
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[edit] Historical development
This community was originally called Green's Bluff for a man named Resin Green, a Sabine River boatman who arrived at this location sometime before 1830. A short time later, the town was renamed Madison in 1840 in honor of President James Madison. [1] To resolve the frequent post office confusion with another Texas community called Madisonville, the town was renamed "Orange" in 1858. Much of the growth of Orange in the late 1800s is attributed to the fact that there were 17 sawmills within the city limits, making Orange the center of the Texas lumber industry. [2]
The harbor leading into the Port of Orange was dredged in 1914 to accommodate large ships. Ship building during World War I contributed to the growth in population and economy. The Great Depression affected the city negatively, and it was not until World War II that the local economy was boosted again. A U.S. Naval Station was installed and additional housing was provided for thousands of defense workers and servicemen and their families. The population increased to just over 60,000 residents.
After the war, the peace-time population decreased to stabilize at about 25,000. It was at this time that the Navy Department announced that Orange would be one of eight locations in which reserve vessels would be stored. The area of the shipyards provided a favorable location in that the Sabine River furnished an abundant supply of fresh water to prevent saltwater corrosion. [3]
Also at this time, the local chemical plants would begin to add to the local economy, and today are the leading source of revenue to the area. The U.S. Naval Station would eventually close in December, 1975. The Port of Orange is today the home of the USS Orleck (DD-886), which is maintained as a memorial-museum.
Orange sustained a direct hit from Hurricane Rita in 2005.
[edit] Geography
Orange is located at (30.109217, -93.759133)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 53.8 km² (20.8 mi²). 52.0 km² (20.1 mi²) of it is land and 1.8 km² (0.7 mi²) of it (3.32%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 18,643 people, 7,310 households, and 5,021 families residing in the city. The population density was 358.5/km² (928.5/mi²). There were 8,364 housing units at an average density of 160.8/km² (416.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 60.59% White, 35.36% African American, 0.38% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.62% of the population.
There were 7,310 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,519, and the median income for a family was $37,473. Males had a median income of $37,238 versus $21,445 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,535. About 20.5% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.0% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Education
The City of Orange is served by the West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District.
[edit] Cultural Institutions
The City of Orange boasts an array of first class attractions. Leading these cultural meccas is the Stark Museum of Art, a two-story building which houses a most valuable and extensive collection of 19th and 20th Century American Western art and artifacts. The 19th Century collection features the work of early frontier artists such as Paul Kane, Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Moran and John Mix Stanley. In addition, works by artist/naturalist John James Audubon.
Down the street the Lutcher Theatre for the Performing Arts brings an array of exciting and world class events to Orange each year in a comfortable, state-of-the-art 1,500 seat venue.
The W.H. Stark House is a careful restoration of an 1894 Victorian home, typical of a wealthy Southeast Texas family. The 15-room, three-storied structure with its many gables, galleries, and distinctive windowed turret, shows the influence of several architectural styles.
The First Presbyterian Church on Green Avenue uniquely captures the classic Greek Revival architecture. Completed in 1912, it was the first air-conditioned public building west of the Mississippi River and its dome is the only opalescent glass dome inside of the United States.
Many of the first class attractions within the City of Orange have been recognized by the Texas Historical Commission, which has placed numerous historical markers throughout the city. Also notable, there are several establishments within the city that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. [4]
[edit] Transportation
Orange is served by Interstate 10, as well as a deep-water seaport. Commercial aviation service is located at nearby Southeast Texas Regional Airport, and general aviation service is provided by Orange County Airport.
Orange has the distinction of having Exit 880 on Interstate 10 within its city limits, which is the highest numbered exit and mile marker on an interstate highway or freeway in North America.
[edit] Famous people and community leaders
- Bruce Aven (baseball player)
- Marcia Ball (American blues singer and pianist)
- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (Blues musician, 1924-2005)
- Edgar William Brown (Business leader)
- Matt Bryant (NFL Football Player - Kicker)
- Chris Cole (National Football League player)
- John Oliver Creighton (NASA astronaut)
- Frances Fisher (actress)
- Alexander Gilmer (Business leader)
- Chuck Knipp comedian known for Shirley Q. Liquor
- Ernie Ladd (Professional athlete)
- Henry J. Lutcher (Business leader)
- Kay Panabaker (Television actress)
- John Patterson (Major League Baseball pitcher)
- Bum Phillips (National Football League head coach)
- Wade Phillips (National Football League head coach)
- Andre Robertson (Major League Baseball player)
- Bubba Smith (American football player)
- Kevin Smith (football) (NFL Football Player - Dallas Cowboys)
- William Henry Stark (Business leader)
- Liz Wickersham (Former Playboy Playmate and Cable News Anchor)
- David Robert Wingate (Business leader)
- Edgar Winter (Rock and Roll musician)
- Johnny Winter (Rock and Roll musician)
- Beau Hale MLB player
- Bobby Kimball (singer of Toto)
[edit] Points of interest
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- City Website
- The Orange Leader
- Stark Museum of Art
- W.H. Stark House
- KOGT homepage A local AM radiostation's website. Find out about Orange culture here.
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
- Fun365Days.com -- regional tourism web site
- Partnership of Southeast Texas -- regional economic development site
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