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Orleans was first settled in 1693 by Pilgrims from the Plymouth Colony who were dissatisfied with the
poor soil and small tracts of land granted to them. Originally the southern parish of neighboring
Eastham, Orleans was officially incorporated in 1797. Orleans was named in honor of Louis Philippe II,
Duke of Orléans, in recognition of France's support for the 13 colonies during the American Revolution,
and because the town did not want an English name, as they had been captured twice by the British during
the war.
Orleans is located on the inner "elbow" section of Cape Cod. The town is dotted with bogs and ponds in
the western part of town, with many inlets, islands and harbors along the eastern coast of the town,
including Town Cove, Nauset Harbor, Pleasant Bay, and Little Pleasant Bay. Rock Harbor, bounded by
and shared with the Town of Eastham, is located in the "crease" of the inner elbow and provides
boating access to Cape Cod Bay. Cape Cod National Seashore lies along the coast as well.
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