Roads in eastern El Paso County were often named after the first or most prominent citizens who settled in the area, like Curtis, Davis, Jones, Scott, Garrett and Judge Orr.Any knowledge of those pioneers has been lost with the passage of time.However, there is a book, “Before the Bar, a History of the El Paso County Bar Association,” which includes a brief biography of Judge James A. Orr.Born in Scotland in 1863, Orr immigrated to the United States with his parents when he was 4-years-old. He grew up in Independence, Kan., and graduated from the University of Kansas law school. In 1893, he moved to Gillett, a small town near Cripple Creek, during the colorful “Gold Rush” era. There, he started a law office with a partner, Charles L. McKesson, who later became mayor of Colorado Springs. According to the book, “Orr handled many celebrated cases with a long record of public service.”The Gazette newspaper archives showed an article about Orr published Jan. 3, 1928. The article mentioned that Orr and McKesson moved their law practice to Colorado Springs, and, in 1902, he was elected a county court judge, and served until 1905. Orr spoke at the dedication of the new county courthouse in 1903, and presided over the first case heard at the courthouse, which gained national attention because the jury included a black man named William Seymour.It was stated that Orr was known for being dedicated to his work. Once, instead of canceling court when they quarantined his home on Prospect Street because his children had chicken pox, he held court on his front porch. During the trial, attorneys and witnesses were forced to stand in the street and shout to be heard.At the time of his death on Jan 2, 1928, Orr lived on Cascade Avenue in Colorado Springs. No written documentation has been found to show that he lived in Falcon. However, Louise Solberg, a lifetime Falcon resident and historian, said while Judge Orr was “before her time” she recalls a home located east of Meadow Lake Airport on Judge Orr Road that was always referred to as “Judge Orr’s house.” The house was moved some years ago to the vicinity of Curtis and Davis roads.Today, the old courthouse in the Springs where Judge Orr once presided has been turned into the Pioneer Museum, but his courtroom has been preserved in its original condition.Note: If any reader has more information on Judge Orr or any other pioneer, e-mail the NFH at ml@jazzwireless.net.
