The Orange County Courthouse marks a radical departure from the traditional classical-style Virginia courthouse, illustrating public acceptance of exotic taste in late antebellum times. Designed by Charles Haskins of the Washington firm of Haskins and Alexander, and erected in 1858-59, the building has all of the major characteristics of the Italian Villa style: deep-bracketed cornices, shallow-hipped roofs, and a square tower. The work is Orange County’s fourth court structure built specifically as such. It replaced an existing courthouse that was taken down as the result of railroad construction. The arcaded openings on the first floor were filled in ca. 1948. The courthouse, located in the Orange Commercial Historic District, is complemented by its clerk’s office and jail.