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West Orange, New Jersey

Located in Essex County, New Jersey, West Orange was established in 1863. Thomas Edison's laboratory and home are now a National Historical Park. Edison invented the phonograph and improved the light bulb here.
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Founded 1863 | Population 48,000 | Peak 48,000 (2024) | County Essex County

Top 10 Most Important Events for West Orange, New Jersey

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1863 Split from Orange: Independent township.
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1887 Edison Lab: Thomas Edison's laboratory.
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1890 Higher Education: Educational institutions helped define West Orange's character and economy.
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2010 Modern Era: West Orange continued to develop as part of the greater metropolitan area, with new infrastructure and community amenities.
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Latest News in West Orange

Mar 23, 2026
Trump Administration Deploys ICE Agents to Major Airports Amid Partial DHS Funding Impasse
WASHINGTON—Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been stationed at more than a dozen major U.S. airports as a partial …
May 12, 2016
Tattoo Haunted Teen Girl 2 Years Photo
New York, May 12, 2016 — A teenage girl’s regret over a hasty tattoo decision captured online attention this week, turning…
Apr 25, 2016
Prosecutors New Jersey Daycare Ran Fight Club Young Children
Hackensack, N.J. – Prosecutors dropped a bombshell accusation on April 25, 2016, claiming a local daycare center had devolved in…
Apr 25, 2016
New Jersey University Probes Threats Against African Americans
New Brunswick, N.J. (April 25, 2016) — A New Jersey university launched an investigation into a wave of threatening messages aim…
Feb 15, 2016
Chris Christie Slams Michelle Obama Interfering School Meals
Trenton, NJ – On February 15, 2016, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie didn’t hold back when he blasted First Lady Michell…
Feb 12, 2016
Kansas Legislature Proposes Bar Lottery Winners Collecting Government
Topeka, Kansas (February 12, 2016) – In a move that stirred up talk about welfare and personal fortune, the Kansas Legislature p…

Complete Historical Timeline

1863 Government
Split from Orange
1887 Science
Edison Lab
1890 Culture
Higher Education
2010 Culture
Modern Era

Did You Know?

1
Thomas Edison's laboratory and home are now a National Historical Park.
2
Edison invented the phonograph and improved the light bulb here.
3
Eagle Rock Reservation offers NYC skyline views.
4
West Orange is located in Essex County, New Jersey.
5
West Orange was founded in 1863.

Famous People from West Orange, New Jersey

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Michael Pitt
Actor, Composer · Born Apr 10, 1981 · Age 44
LG
Laura San Giacomo
Actor, Voice Actor · Born Nov 14, 1962 · Age 63
JC
Joan Caulfield
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Jun 1, 1922 · Died Jun 18, 1991 (age 69)
LF
Leo Fitzpatrick
Actor, Television Actor · Born Aug 10, 1978 · Age 47
BB
Ben Barres
Neuroscientist, Neurobiologist · Born Sep 13, 1954 · Died Dec 27, 2017 (age 63)

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