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Orion, Alabama
Unincorporated community
Orion, Alabama is located in Alabama
Orion, Alabama
Orion, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Orion, Alabama is located in the United States
Orion, Alabama
Orion, Alabama
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Alabama
County Pike
Elevation
561 ft (171 m)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s) 334
GNIS feature ID 152820

Orion, also known as Prospect Ridge, is a small community in Pike County, Alabama, in the United States. It's called an unincorporated community because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Orion is located about 12.9 miles (20.8 km) north of Troy.

A Look Back at Orion's History

How Orion Got Its Name

Orion wasn't always called Orion! It was first known as Prospect Ridge. The name was changed to Orion in honor of the constellation of stars you can see in the night sky.

Becoming and Un-Becoming a Town

On February 4, 1850, Orion officially became an incorporated town. This meant it had its own local government and rules. However, this didn't last forever. The Alabama Legislature (which is like the state's law-making group) decided to change this. On February 26, 1881, they repealed the town's charter. This made Orion an unincorporated community again.

Mail and Early Education

The community had a post office for many years. It operated under the name Prospect Ridge from 1838 to 1848. Then, it used the name Orion from 1848 until 1903.

Orion was also home to an important school called the Orion Institute. This was one of the very first schools in Pike County, helping to educate many young people in the area.

A Revolutionary War Hero

An important historical figure is buried in Orion. Jim Capers, an African-American soldier, fought in the American Revolutionary War. He is known as the first Revolutionary War soldier buried in Alabama. His burial place is at the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Orion.

Documenting Old Buildings

Many old and important buildings in Orion have been carefully recorded. This was done as part of the Historic American Buildings Survey. This survey helps to preserve the history of old structures across the United States.

Images for kids

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 FRONT AND SIDE VIEW, N. W. - Baptist Church, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,1-1

    Baptist Church

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 CLOSE UP OF N. W. FRONT DOOR - Baptist Church, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,1-5

    Front door of Baptist Church

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 CLOSE- UP OF FRONT PORCH - Solomon Siler House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,5-13

    Solomon Siler House front porch

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 FIREPLACE IN S. E. BED ROOM - Solomon Siler House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,5-8

    Solomon Siler House bedroom

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 FRONT HALL DOOR TREATMENT, FACING E. - Solomon Siler House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,5-5

    Solomon Siler House foyer

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 STAIRWAY AND REAR HALL DOOR - Solomon Siler House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,5-6

    Solomon Siler House stairway

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 VIEW IN BALCONY, SHOWING COLUMN CAP AND BANISTERS - Solomon Siler House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, HABS ALA,55-ORIO,5-3

    Solomon Siler House columns

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 FRONT AND SIDE VIEW N.E. - Solomon Siler House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,5-1

    Solomon Siler House

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 REAR AND SIDE VIEW S.W. - Solomon Siler House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,5-2

    Solomon Siler House

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 FRONT VIEW (WEST) NORTH SIDE - McCullough-Henderson House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,4-1

    McCullough-Henderson House

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 FIREPLACE IN BED ROOM, (S.W. ROOM) - McCullough-Henderson House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike HABS ALA,55-ORIO,4-3

    McCullough-Henderson House fireplace

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 14, 1935 STAIRWAY IN DINING ROOM - McCullough-Henderson House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,4-2

    McCullough-Henderson House stairway

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 15, 1935 FRONT VIEW (WEST) - Hanchey-Pennington House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,2-1

    Hanchey-Pennington House

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 15, 1935 REAR AND SIDE VIEW, S. E. - Hanchey-Pennington House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,2-2

    Hanchey-Pennington House rear

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 15, 1935 FIREPLACE IN N. W. FRONT ROOM - Hanchey-Pennington House, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, AL HABS ALA,55-ORIO,2-3

    Hanchey-Pennington House fireplace

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 15, 1935 FRONT AND SIDE VIEW, N. E. - Orion Male and Female Institute, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, HABS ALA,55-ORIO,3-1

    Orion Male and Female Institute

  • Historic American Buildings Survey W. N. Manning, Photographer, June 15, 1935 FRONT DOOR TREATMENT (EAST) - Orion Male and Female Institute, U.S. Highway 231, Orion, Pike County, HABS ALA,55-ORIO,3-2

    Orion Male and Female Institute front door

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