Leesburg, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leesburg, Texas
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 Leesburg, Texas
Location in Texas
Leesburg, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Camp |
| Elevation | 397 ft (121 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
75451
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| Area code | 903, 430 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1339795 |
Leesburg is a small community in Camp County, Texas. It's not officially a city or town, but it's a recognized place where people live. Leesburg is located in the southwestern part of Camp County. Its elevation is about 397 feet (121 meters) above sea level. Even though it's not a city, Leesburg has its own post office and a ZIP code of 75451.
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History of Leesburg
Leesburg was named after an early settler named John Lee. In 1874, the community hoped to become the main town, or county seat, for Camp County. However, another town called Pittsburg was chosen instead.
In that same year, Leesburg got its first post office. James G. Credille was the first postmaster. He was also the county treasurer, which was an important job.
Later in the 1870s, Leesburg became a stop on the East Line and Red River Railroad. This was a big deal because railroads helped communities grow. They made it easier to transport goods and people.
By 1884, Leesburg had about 50 residents. It also had a mill, a gin (a machine for separating cotton), and three stores. The community continued to grow. By 1890, the population reached 150 people. Just six years later, in 1896, Leesburg had grown even more, with about 300 residents. It also had two churches and a busy business area.
The population stayed around 300 for a while. However, it dropped to 120 people by 1943. By 1968, only about 75 people lived there. But Leesburg saw a comeback! From 1970 through 2000, the population went back up to 115 people. During this time, the community also had 18 businesses.
Where is Leesburg Located?
Leesburg is situated along Texas State Highway 11. It's also located on the Louisiana and Arkansas Railway line. The community is about 7 miles (11 kilometers) west of the city of Pittsburg. This places Leesburg in the western part of Camp County.
Education in Leesburg
In 1896, Leesburg had two schools for its children. Over time, smaller schools often combine to form larger school districts. Since 1955, the schools in Leesburg have been part of the Pittsburg Independent School District. This means students from Leesburg attend schools within the Pittsburg district.
Famous People from Leesburg
Leesburg has been home to some notable individuals:
- Leo Birdine – He was a professional baseball player.
- Carroll Shelby – He was a very famous automotive designer and racing driver. Carroll Shelby was born in Leesburg. His father, Warren Hall Shelby, worked as a mail carrier, and his mother was Eloise Lawrence Shelby. Shelby is known for creating high-performance cars, especially for Ford, like the Shelby Cobra.
