Many early Orange mayors have their names emblazoned on street signs across Orange.

But, William Stabback, the mayor of East Orange for seven years, is believed to be the only one of the council's 10 leaders known to be recognised on a street sign today.

And even then they got the name wrong.

Historian Ross Maroney said Mr Stabback bought the Phoenix Soda Water and Cordial Factory in 1871.

"It was located in the lane off Anson Street just before March Street," he said.

"The lane is now named Stibbards Lane, raising the question of whether that is a mistake, and Stabbacks Lane was intended." He said Mr Stabback played an active role in establishing East Orange council and the Orange East Public School. He was mayor in 1889, 1891-1893 and 1895-1897.

One of the many Orange mayors to have a street named after him was John Woodward.

Historian William Folster praised Mr Woodward, mayor in 1870, in a study of street history in the Central Western Daily in 1949.

"This man was one of the real pioneers of Orange. He lived at first in a slab building not far from the present gates of Wolaroi College," he wrote.

"There he conducted a small store and handled the postal business of the time. Later he owned a store on the site of the present Metropolitan Hotel."

The Orange Heritage Walking Trail said the Metropolitan Hotel was built as 'John Woodward's Store' in 1864 as the second brick store in Orange.

Stuart Lamrock, mayor of Orange 1931, was also known as the "Father of the Avenue" for his work in creating Orange's memorial avenue of trees on Bathurst Road.

The Orange Leader of April 27, 1923 recorded it was an "imposing spectacle" of about 3000-4000 people including marching bands, returned soldiers, officials and residents who attended the opening ceremony.

Alderman Lamrock told the crowd the avenue was a great achievement honouring soldiers which would be looked upon with pride by future generations.