Irish-born James Torpy led, by all accounts, an interesting life in Orange.

A well-connected politician, Orange mayor for two years, president of the Orange Jockey Club, president of the Central Western Rugby Football Union, head of other sporting groups in the region, publican and president of the School of Arts for 20 years were among his credentials.

The Orange Wiki records that aged 29 in 1861 Mr Torpy was also one of the most outspoken leaders in the Lambing Flat gold diggings riot near Young where he rallied against the 'Chinese invasion' of Australia.

Described as "a well-read man" he bought the Orange Advocate newspaper in 1885 and wrote its editorial. He was 72 when he died of pneumonia in 1903 and is buried in the Orange Cemetery.

The Dalton family influence is seen throughout the streets of Orange.

Thomas Dalton and brother James established the Dalton Brothers store in Summer Street in 1858.

He was a long-serving councillor at Orange City Council and became mayor in 1877.

In 1882 he was elected to the lower house of the NSW parliament, serving for nine years until he was defeated.

The next year he was appointed to the upper house, serving until his death in North Sydney in 1901.

Historian Ross Maroney said there was a dam on the north-west corner of the Dalton and Thomas streets, with a dairy and farmhouse nearby, which were part of the former Bletchington estate.

Historian Les Hughes in the 1980s wrote that the Lane family has been associated with Orange "since its very early days."

He said William Lane of Bathurst acquired a grant of 4000 acres. John Tom Lane, the eldest son of William Lane, was appointed first police magistrate in Orange in 1867.

Edwin Hurst Lane built Llanello (which later became Croagh Patrick) on Park Street in 1885.

Another member of the family James B. Lane owned the Rosehill property which was sold in 1934. "Now most of it is under Suma Park Dam," Mr Hughes said.