Orlean Market Blog

We've been exploring and checking out different ways to get to the Orlean Market in the village of Orlean . Today we're going to start our road trip in Front Royal west of Orlean. We've outlined two route of travel: one is fairly fast; the other is  more scenic. Take your pick! For the fast trip, pick up I-66 east outside of Front Royal. Enjoy the scenery as you travel to Exit 18 ( Markham ). If it is summer or spring time and fresh fruits and/or veggies are calling you, go left on Leeds Manor Road (Rt. 688) to Hartland Orchard (follow the sign). Hartland Orchard is owned by the Green family and provides a wonderful variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables either already picked or pick-your own. If you turn right onto Leeds Manor Road, Fall will provide peaches and apples at Stribling Orchard. Pumpkins are also available plus an assortment of baked goods for your pleasure. Lunch is also available during the fruit season. Mt. View, the home of the...

Fauquier crossroads: Orlean “flat out beautiful” : Village in northwestern part of county boasts Blue Ridge vistas and “really caring” people

April 1969 Mrs. McCullough of Orlean Traveling Around: Visiting The Orlean Market  The Orlean Market, located exactly in the center of the Village of Orlean, has a long and colorful history in our community. It is now the home of Giliam's Pub, named for Sandy and Bill Gilliam, former owners who welcomed neighbors into a community landmark with good food and liquid refreshments. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown Rector lived next door to the store in what is now Gilliam's  pub. Their house constructed by John Russell in 1907, was the home of many evenings of fun and dancing for local young men. Mr. Dudley Payne, father of Judge H. Dudley Payne, told about how pretty the Rector girls were and related how he rode horseback to the house, to help  roll up the rugs before the music started. Tuberculosis was rampant at that time so some of the children in the community thought that Mr. Rector's nickname "T.B" meant that he had tuberculosis himself. ...

Want to enjoy a little road trip from Northern Virginia to The Orlean Market with some beautiful scenery and a little bit of history thrown in?  Follow Interstate 66 to the second Marshall exit (Exit 27). At the top of the ramp immediately turn LEFT  and cross over I-66. Then turn RIGHT onto Crest Hill Road (Rt. 647). Watch the curves as you go. Follow Crest Hill Road for several miles. After passing Hume Road (Rt. 635), enjoy a spectacular view of the mountains to the southwest. They are not called the Blue Ridge Mountains for nothing. This is a lovely way to enjoy a sunset in the late afternoon. Cobbler Mountain on the left when you're driving down Crest Hill Road from 66 exit After the wonderful mountain views, turn LEFT on Wilson Road (Rt. 733). Follow Wilson Road for about one half mile. Turn Right on John Barton Payne Road. Here's where the history begins. Crest Hill Road John Barton Payne was raised in Orlean and served his cou...