Orange in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

A Place Called Home

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 15, 2025

1. A Place Called Home Marker

Inscription. West Church Street and the commercial enterprises along Railroad Avenue and Mill Street served the retail needs of African American families as well as sources of employment. The surrounding neighborhoods completed the community with two churches and homes such as the Maples Family house whose backyards included spacious gardens and room for chickens and maybe a hog or two. One can imagine the scene on any given Sunday when the church bells rang, and the sidewalks filled with attendees accompanied by every child in the household, all turned out in their finest garb.

Erected 2022 by Orange County African American Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 38° 14.636′ N, 78° 6.612′ W. Marker is in Orange, Virginia, in Orange County. It is at the intersection of West Church Street and Chapman Street, on the right when traveling west on West Church Street. Marker is within African American Commemorative Park. Touch for map. Marker is at

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or near this postal address: 127 Chapman Street, Orange VA 22960, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Virginia

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Mill Street Community (here, next to this marker); Railroad Avenue and Beyond (a few steps from this marker); Crosthwaite Alley (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of Orange Court House (about 300 feet away); Historic Downtown Orange (about 400 feet away); Welcome to… The Town of Orange (about 400 feet away); The Orange Railroad Depot (about 400 feet away); Orange County Visitor Center (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 15, 2025

2. A Place Called Home Marker

Marker is the one closest to the camera. View looks towards the railroad, east on West Church Street. The marker faces the opposite direction.

markers in Orange.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Town of Orange (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 12, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.