The town of Orange in the North Quabbin region of Massachusetts lies along the eastern border of Franklin County and extends north and south of the Millers River. The first known inhabitants of the area were the Squawkheag, who lightly settled there. European settlement was sparse prior to 1763. In 1783 the General Court granted the area district status and named it after Prince William of Orange. Orange became a town in 1810. The fast-flowing Millers River offered waterpower, initially used only to power saw and grist mills. By the 1850s and 1860s the river powered manufacturing as well. Industries included the New Home Sewing Machine Company, begun with only two employees in 1863 and employing more than 600 by the 1890s. The town grew rapidly in the following decades and by 1926 was the third largest town in Franklin County.