Granted in 1769, the town was first named Cardigan, for George Brudenell, fourth Earl of Cardigan. The original name is still used in Mount Cardigan and Cardigan State Park. Voters made several attempts to change the name following the Revolution, trying the names Bradford, Middletown, Liscomb, and finally Orange. Orange was probably chosen because of the large quantities of yellow-orange ochre found in Mount Cardigan.
