East Orange, New Jersey, owes its name to the nearby Orange Mountain. There isn't much of the color orange here, nor are there any orange trees. The city is steeped in the early history of the United States. Once known simply as "the town at the river", East Orange was originally part of Newark and stretched between the Passaic River to Orange Mountain. It wasn't until 1780 that the land was designated as "Newark Mountain", and then in 1806 that Orange was separated from Newark.

In 1720, a rich vein of copper ore was discovered and many people flocked to the city. Most of the ore was eventually shipped to England. Once a place for the youth of the city to demonstrate bravery by exploring the abandoned mine, it's now inaccessible since part of it caved in.

Orange was first incorporated in 1860. But soon after the city split up into different factions due to resstance towards fire, police, and street departments. South Orange was created in 1861, East Orange in 1863, and West orange was created also in 1863.

Today, East Orange is a small town with easy access to major parts of New Jersey and New York. The city is nestled among a dense network of Interstates and State highways. Jersey City and New York City are both within a short driving distance.