[3] Orient was incorporated on March 21, 1882, on land set aside by the nearby Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.

[4][5][6][7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.45 square miles (1.17 km2), all land.

The racial makeup of the city was 98.51% White, 0.25% Native American, and 1.24% from two or more races.

School officials cited low enrollment, staffing issues, and financial shortfalls.

[15][16] National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Dazzy Vance was born in Orient in 1891.

Known for his blazing fastball, Vance is still the only pitcher in history to top the National League in strikeouts seven consecutive seasons.

He earned the Triple Crown of pitching in 1924 and was also named Most Valuable Player that same year.

[19] U.S. Vice President Henry A. Wallace (1941–45) was born on a farm near Orient in 1888.

[20] The original farmstead is now home to the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center, a popular tour site.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Wallace to be US Secretary of Agriculture (1933–41) at the depth of the Great Depression.

He also served as US Secretary of Commerce (1945–46); and later ran unsuccessfully for President on the Progressive Party ticket in 1948.

Wallace was a key figure in assisting Roosevelt to formulate “New Deal” economic recovery policies and in helping the US prepare to join the Allies in defeating Japan and Germany in World War II.