Orange Springs facts for kids
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Orange Springs
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Property overview
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | VA 629 E of jct. with US 522, Unionville, Virginia |
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| Area | 52 acres (21 ha) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 90002134 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 27, 1992 |
Orange Springs is a historic property in Virginia. It's a large home and farm that used to be a popular resort spa. You can find it near Unionville, in Orange County, Virginia. This special place covers 52 acres of land.
Contents
The Story of Orange Springs
Orange Springs is a very old property with a fascinating past. It sits on Route 629, looking over a small stream called Terry's Run. This site has changed its purpose many times over the years.
A Building with Many Lives
The main house at Orange Springs has a long history. It was first built around the 1790s. Back then, it was a tavern, a place where travelers could stop for food and drinks.
Soon after, it became part of a resort spa. The building was changed into a dining room and a ballroom. People would come here to relax and enjoy the spa's natural springs. The spa was open from the early 1790s until about 1850.
After the spa closed, the building was remodeled again. It was made larger and became a family home. The house has a two-story front porch. This porch is supported by strong wooden posts. These posts have a simple, classic design called Doric order capitals.
What You Can See There
Besides the main house, there are other old buildings at Orange Springs. These buildings help tell the story of the property.
- A frame smokehouse: This building has a pyramid-shaped roof. It dates back to when Orange Springs was a spa.
- A pit greenhouse: This was likely used to grow plants.
- An ice house: This building was used to store ice, keeping things cold before refrigerators existed.
- A granary: This is a building where grain was stored.
- A large barn and cow shed: These were built in 1916 for farm use.
- A frame hen house: This building for chickens was built in 1908.
All these buildings show how Orange Springs has been used as both a resort and a working farm over the centuries.
Its Place in History
Orange Springs is recognized as an important historical site. It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. This listing helps protect the property and its history for future generations. It is also listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register since 1990.
