"Orangeville - Small Town, Growing Population" Orangeville by CdnJane

Orangeville Travel Guide: 16 reviews and 51 photos

No pictures just words

Orangeville Ontario for some is just a town on the way north from Toronto, or on the way to Lake Huron. Some may remember it for the McDonald's that had a teenager bring in a union, or other's might just remember the McDonalds as being close to the highway and a good place to stop.
Others might think of Orangeville as a nice little town with some interesting shops, or perhaps a place to live that is close enough but not too far away from Toronto.
I'm actually using Orangeville as a location, because the 2 little villages I want to use for restaurants won't come up on the list. I suppose when there are less than a dozen homes, it makes it hard to have a community.
I was asked for more information on the name Orangeville... thanks, Rob. Here is what I found:

"From the Orangeville Sun November 17, 1933, written by Miss F. Shain:
"The first permanent settler to locate in Orangeville was Orange Lawrence, who came in 1844....
The first plan of the infant village was made for Orange Lawrence by Chisholm Miller in 1851. The area comprised the lower half of the south side of the present town. Orange Lawrence built a tavern and a store and in 1857 sold the site of the present flour mill to two of his brothers-in-law, Thomas Jull, of Trafalgar township, and John W. Reid, who built the first flour mills - a boon to the new community.
In July 1856, Streighton Dennis drew a plan of the north side for Jesse Ketchum Jr., laying out the area described in lots and streets. This plan provided for the generously wide streets that make the northside of Orangeville so attractive to day.

This, in brief, was the birth of urban life here, and by slow, but steady stages the population increased, until in the year 1863, the inhabitants of the village concluded they were numerous enough and independent enough to paddle their own canoe, and applying for incorporation, the village was incorporated, choosing as its name, Orangeville, in honor of the first permanent settler. ...Orangeville attained the status of town in 1873 and the first Town Council was elected in January 1874."

I'll have to get back there to take some pictures. It does have some nice old buildings.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A town for many tastes
Cons:Losing or lost its small town charm
In a nutshell:Orangeville - stop for a moment or move in

Last visit to Orangeville: Sep 2002
Intro Updated Sep 1, 2003
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Reviews (3)

Hereford class for Cow and Calf - Orangeville

The End of Summer Brings on the Fair Local Customs (1)

The end of the summer signals fall fairs... a chance for communities to have a showing of their local produce, and see... more travel advice

An Old Canadian Inn with Good Canadian... Restaurants (2)

The Globe offers in an 1859 inn, a very sophisticated menu of fresh and healthy ingredients. Whether you eat upstairs or... more travel advice

A Lesson in Great Food in a School house Restaurants (2)

In the valley known as Violet Hill, exists 2 popular places - Granny Taught Me How, a shop of all sorts of wonderful... more travel advice

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Comments (3)

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yarisblue Jun 2, 2006 at 3:49 AM

Hi Jane I like your info page and my husband was very interested in the cattle/farm fairs. He is from a farming related family too.
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californiablues May 23, 2005 at 11:50 AM

great tips on orangeville i will be up there this weekend hope its a great place to relax in .
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RobDavis Aug 11, 2003 at 7:47 AM

So why did they name in Orangeville? Do they grow oranges, or is it named after the Protestant Prince? I love the name of that shop - Granny Taught Me How!