Orrville in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Town of Orrville
Dallas County
Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 13, 2024
1. Town of Orrville Marker
James Franklin Orr founded Orrville in 1842 after arriving in the area with his father. Originally named Orr's Mill, Orr set about the slow task of acquiring adjacent lots to build his new town. Orr first purchased 88 acres and he planned the town to be one square mile. It has remained the same since that time. At the center was a town square with all roads leading to it. The square had a deep well and watering trough for travelers and their animals. The town consisted of a business complex, sawmill, cotton gin, planing mill, flour mill, grist mill, and two blacksmiths' shops. In the 1850s, Orr donated land for the Orrville Institute, which for many years held the distinction of offering the finest education around for planter and merchant class children. Orrville is a typical community in that it grew, prospered, and even declined in some respects. Orrville continues to be a vibrant community and offers the community a valuable and meaningful way of life.
Marker erected in 2020 by the Town of Orrville in Honor of Alabama's Bicentennial.
Erected 2020 by the Town Of Orrville.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.
Location. 32° 18.376′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Black Belt. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Orrville United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Beloit Industrial Institute (approx. 6½ miles away); Whitt Cemetery (approx. 6.8 miles away); Lafayette's Tour (approx. 8.2 miles away); Memorials for Prisoners of War (approx. 8.3 miles away); Old Cemetery (approx. 8.3 miles away); Alabama's First Gothic Revival Church (approx. 8½ miles away); Cahaba's "New" Cemetery (approx. 8½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orrville.
Other markers no longer nearby. Cahawba (was approx. 6.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Prosperity Cemetery (was approx. 7.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . Encyclopedia of Alabama article on Orrville, Alabama. (Submitted on April 14, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 13, 2024
2. Town of Orrville Marker at the Town Hall.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 752 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
