More about Orange California

Orange is a city in the county of the same name and is unique in the sense that many of the homes situated in the Old Town area were built prior to 1920, whereas many other cities demolished such buildings in the 1960s; Orange opted to preserve them. The city was originally formed around a traffic circle, or roundabout which still remains in its original place to this day. The city was officially incorporated on April 6, 1888 and was the only city in the county to be planned and built around a plaza, helping it to gain the nickname “Plaza City”. The Old Town Orange Historic District is a 1 square mile area which sits around the original plaza and contains many of the original structures built after incorporation. The area houses the County’s oldest operating bank and soda fountain and is the largest National Register District in the state. The city is also home to a number of notable points to visit; the Block at Orange is a large outdoor shopping mall and entertainment center at the edge of the city and features and Old Navy, Ann Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and several other stores. The city is also home to several lakes, parks, a small zoo and a wild life sanctuary. The Orange International Street Fair has been an annual tradition for the past 100 years; held in the plaza during Labor Day Weekend the fair offers music, food and dance from several different cultures from around the world. The building that housed The Women’s Club of Orange, founded in 1915, still stands; built in 1923-1924, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The club is still very active in the community and annually hosts the Flower Show every April to celebrate the club.