Orwell Township

Geography, Topography, and History

The Township of Orwell is located near the northeastern corner of the County. The Township is bounded to the northeast by Warren Township, to the southeast by Pike Township, to the south by Herrick Township, to the southwest by Wysox Township, to the west by Rome Township, and to the North by Windham Township. There are several streams that run through the Township including: Beaver Creek, Johnson Creek, Trout Stream and Trout Brook. Two major thoroughfares include State Route 187, which runs north and west in the Township, and State Route 467, that runs through the Township east and west.

The Township was formerly known as Mt. Zion, dating back to 1801, until the name was officially changed in 1812. The Township’s name comes from a town in Vermont. In 1796, the first settlement in the Township was by Francis Mesusan and David Russell. Clarissa Woodruff taught the first school in 1803. In 1813, the land was divided to form Warren Township, Windham Township, and Pike Township. In 1830, the last land division occurring in Orwell formed Rome Township.

Local Government and Current Data

The governing council for the Township of Orwell consists of three elected supervisors and a secretary. The Township has opted out of organizing a planning commission, comprehensive plan, and zoning regulations. All of Orwell’s subdivisions and land developments must get approval from the Office of Planning and Grants for Bradford County.

The Township of Orwell has several religious chapels as well as a museum within to name a few points of interest in Orwell. The following churches are located within the Township: Orwell Bible Church, Bumpville Bible Church, United Methodist Church & Parsonage, Presbyterian Church, and Windham Summit Bible Church. The Home Textile Tool Museum can be found in Orwell Township, and allows visitors to see and try common tools used in early America and include spinning wheels, and looms to name a few items on display.

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