Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
Orangeville, the urban hub of Dufferin County, boasts about half of Dufferin’s residents with a population of 28,900. Orangeville is known for its affordability, beautiful neighborhoods, excellent infrastructure, and safe community. It is also within proximity to Brampton, Mississauga, and Toronto. There are plenty of things to do in Orangeville, especially if you enjoy the outdoors. For example, Orangeville is home to the Island Lake Conservation Area, which offers stunning views and plenty of hiking, fishing, and birdwatching opportunities if you’re a fan of spending time in nature
History
On August 7, 1820, Ezekiel Benson, a land surveyor, was granted the first patent for land. A land grant followed that to Alan Robinet in 1822. In 1863, the town of Orangeville was named after Orange Lawrence, a Connecticut native who ran several manufacturing firms in the community. He immigrated to Canada as a youngster and eventually made his home in Halton County. In 1837, he was a militia captain during Mackenzie’s uprising. Robert Hughson sold the property that became Orangeville to Lawrence. He settled in the area in 1844 and established a mill. The post office dates from 1851. Orange Lawrence committed suicide on December 15, 1861. In 1873, the Act of Incorporation was passed, and Orangeville was given town status on January 1, 1874. The public library, located at Broadway and Mill Street, was completed in 1908. The Andrew Carnegie Library was built with the help of a grant from Andrew Carnegie, an outstanding entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
The Town Hall building contains the historic Orangeville Opera House on the second floor. This facility is the home base of the professional theatre company Theatre Orangeville and hosts plays and concerts throughout the year. The building was restored in 1993-1994.
Education
There are currently eleven public and separate elementary schools in Orangeville: Credit Meadows, Mono Amaranth, Montgomery Village, Parkinson Centennial, Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, St. Andrew’s RC, St. Benedict’s RC, St. Peter’s RC, Island Lake Public School, and Spencer Avenue Elementary. Along with these publicly funded schools, there are several private schools: Headwater Hills Montessori School, Dufferin Area Christian School, Hillcrest Private School, The Maples Academy (IB World School), Orangeville Christian School.
There are two secondary schools within the boundaries of Orangeville: Westside Secondary School and Orangeville District Secondary School (ODSS). A catholic secondary school Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School, draws around 1000 students from Orangeville and the rest of the county despite being within the Region of Peel.
Public Transportation To Safe & Vault Shop
Top places to visit in Orangeville Town in Canada
Island Lake Conservation Area
Connect with nature and explore 820 acres of lake, wetland, and forests located at the headwaters of the Credit River in Orangeville. Enjoy the Vicki Barron Lakeside Trail, the park’s signature eight-kilometer trail that leads you around the lake’s perimeter. Take in the stunning views, go fishing, hike one of the 19 trails or spend some time birdwatching.
Dragonfly Arts On Broadway
Dragonfly Arts on Broadway in the vibrant heart of downtown Orangeville, Ontario, displays over 200 Canadian Artists, emphasizing local talent. The gallery displays a wide variety of media, including fine art, sculpture, pottery, textiles, jewelry, and glass.
Vicki Barron Lakeside Trail
Head out on this 7.9-km loop trail near Orangeville, Ontario. The average walk time is approximately two hours and three minutes. This is a popular spot for trekking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing, so you’re likely to meet other people while exploring. The route is open all year and is lovely to explore at any time. Dogs are welcome, but they must be on a leash.
If you’re looking for things to do in Orangeville, there are plenty of options. Whether you want to go hiking, cycling, fishing, birdwatching, or want to explore the town’s many art galleries and museums, you’ll find something that suits your interests here.
