In 1858, the first subdivision plans (Lots 1 and 2) were registered in the County of Carleton for Gloucester Township, creating the Village of Saint-Joseph d'Orléans.

According to the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names files, he applied for the establishment of a post office "plus tard en 1859."

[2] In 1860, Father Alphonse-Marius Chaîne was appointed resident priest of the new Saint-Joseph d’Orléans parish, founded in October of the same year.

The police village was governed by a council of three volunteers elected to preserve peace, health, and public safety.

Commercial life improved considerably in Orléans in 1955 with the establishment of the first Chamber of Commerce, which campaigned on behalf of various causes, such as pressing for a decent water and sewer system in the 1960s.

The quiet, rural community that was once Orléans lived its last moments in 1958 when developers hit the town, and from then on, things would never be the same.

Orléans has known dramatic residential growth since then, which has led to profound social and linguistic changes in the population's makeup.

In 1970, the Grey Nuns of Charity Congregation sold 500 acres of land to the Costain and Minto real estate companies, which launched significant developments in the Convent Glen, Orléans Wood, Chatelaine Village areas, etc.

It was in the 1970s that the first high schools opened their doors, and after class hours, Orléans youth started setting up their clubs.

In addition to the residential developments, the 1990s in Orleans saw the final expansion of the Place d'Orléans shopping centre, a movie theatre, several new restaurants, new businesses, four new high schools, etc.

The country-wide housing boom starting from 2000 has also seen a considerable amount of housing and residential areas being developed in the eastern Orléans area west of Trim Road and south of Innes Road, such as the new communities Avalon, Notting Gate (including Notting Hill).

Ray Friel Recreation Complex is the largest and most comprehensive recreation complex in Orleans, featuring three National Hockey League (NHL) size arenas, including the Ron Racette Arena, with 12 full dressing rooms and separate referee and alternate dressing rooms.

The site is currently home to several youth sporting clubs in the Eastern half of the Greater Ottawa Area.

The Petrie Islands were formed by sand deposited at the close of the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago.

Petrie Island is home to turtles in some of its sheltered lagoons and has a nature centre for learning more about the local environment.

Connexion routes 221, 222, 228, 234 and 237 provide service to Blair on mornings, and back east to communities in the afternoon.

All local, express, and most connexion routes that serve Orléans to/from Blair currently travel via the 174 with dedicated bus lanes.