Home › New Jersey › West Orange

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.
Trending in West Orange
Latest updates coming soon
2 hours ago
More local news on the way
5 hours ago
Founded 1863 | Population 48,000 | Peak 48,000 (2024) | County Essex County

Top 10 Most Important Events for West Orange, New Jersey

undefined
1863Split from Orange: Independent township.
undefined
1887Edison Lab: Thomas Edison's laboratory.
undefined
1890Higher Education: Educational institutions helped define West Orange's character and economy.
undefined
2010Modern Era: West Orange continued to develop as part of the greater metropolitan area, with new infrastructure and community amenities.
🧠
How Well Do You Know West Orange?
5 questions • 2 minutes
Take the Quiz →

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

MP
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)
See something that needs correcting?
We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep West Orange's history right.