It has now been revealed the photo was taken in a different year and by a different photographer than what was previously understood.

Orange and District Historical Society researcher Euan Greer said a newspaper article has come to light explaining the photo's origins.

Versions of the panorama photo are on the wall at locations including the Orange City Council foyer and the Kate Jones at One Nineteen cafe in Moulder Street.

Mr Greer said it was thought the photo was taken from the top of the then-new Dalton Brothers mill in Peisley Street about 1908 or 1910 by photographer William Bursle.

But the article in the Orange Leader newspaper on September 20, 1907, reveals "Messrs Bradley and Barnes have just completed a magnificent panoramic view of Orange."

It says the photo was taken from the top of the chimney stack at the mill.

Mr Greer said it was now clear the photo was taken in 1907, possibly June or July, by a different firm.

"They were both in Summer Street and they were quite competitive at the time," he said.

Mr Greer said getting a correct date for when the photograph was taken was invaluable for historians.

"To me knowing the date of the photo means it is possible to read a lot more into what is in the photo," he said.

Mr Greer said it could now be determined what had been built in Orange in 1907.

Robert Bartlett's book Orange & District A History in Pictures 2 says Bradley and Barnes were photographers in Orange from 1906 until 1912 when Thomas Bradley, 25, drowned in the Summer Hill Creek while on a picnic.