Detail of the Orange County courthouse. Orange County was formed from parts of Knox, Gibson and Washington Counties by an act approved on December 26, 1815, it took effect on February 1, 1816. The same year, the county seat was established in Paoli, which was named after Pasquale Paoli Ash, the 12 year old son of the Governor, at the time, of North Carolina. The first courthouse was a temporary log structure that was built for $25, a more permanent structure of stone was completed in 1819 at a cost of $3,950. In 1847, plans were made for a new larger courthouse, which was completed in 1850 at a cost of $14,000. This building is the second oldest courthouse in the state that has been continuously used since its construction. Like the oldest in Ohio County, it is a Greek Revival building with two stories and a Doric portico supported by fluted columns, it has ornamental iron stairs and a clock tower. In 1970, the clock tower was damaged by fire. This is the side of the courthouse.