Leesburg, Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leesburg
Town
Center of Leesburg in 2012
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Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Loudoun
Founded	October 12, 1758
Named for	Lee family
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area
• Total	12.47 sq mi (32.29 km2)
• Land	12.40 sq mi (32.11 km2)
• Water	0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2)
Elevation	341 ft (104 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	48,250
• Estimate  (2021)	48,908
• Density	4,333.17/sq mi (1,673.07/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	20175-20178
Area code(s)	703, 571
FIPS code	51-44984
GNIS feature ID	1498505

Leesburg is a town in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States. It is the main town of Loudoun County. Leesburg is part of the Northern Virginia area and the larger Washington metropolitan area, which includes Washington, D.C., the nation's capital.

People from Europe first settled here around 1740. The town was named after the Lee family, who were important leaders in the early days. During the War of 1812, important government papers from Washington, D.C., were kept safe in Leesburg. In the American Civil War, the town was controlled by different armies at different times.

Leesburg is about 33 miles (53 km) west of Washington, D.C. It sits at the base of Catoctin Mountain and is close to the Potomac River. The town is home to the Dulles Greenway, a private toll road that connects to Dulles International Airport. In 2020, Leesburg had a population of 48,250 people. It is the largest town in Virginia that is located within a county.

Over the last 30 years, Leesburg has grown a lot. It changed from a small farming town to a suburban area where many people live and travel to work in the capital. This growth is mostly along the Dulles Greenway and Virginia State Route 7.

Leesburg is also home to Loudoun United FC, a professional soccer team. They play their games at Segra Field. The Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic control center for the Washington area is also located here.

What's in a Name?

Leesburg was likely named to honor the important Thomas Lee or the Lee family in general. The name change happened in 1758. Two of Thomas Lee's sons, Francis Lightfoot Lee and Phillip Ludwell Lee, were early leaders of the town. It is a common mistake to think the town was named after Robert E. Lee.

A Look at Leesburg's Past

"Central View of Leesburg" c. 1845

The Wheat Building

Carlheim, also known as the Paxton mansion.

The historic Leesburg courthouse serves as the seat of government for Loudoun County, Virginia

Before Europeans arrived, different Native American tribes lived around Leesburg. The Piscataway tribe was in the area when the first Europeans visited. An old path called the Old Carolina Road (now U.S. Route 15) was a main travel route for Native tribes.

European settlers, mostly farmers, began moving into the area in the late 1730s. Leesburg was officially established in 1758.

During the War of 1812, British forces attacked Washington, D.C. Important U.S. government documents, like the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, were brought to Leesburg for safety.

In the American Civil War, Leesburg was the site of the Battle of Ball's Bluff. This was a big victory for the Confederate army. The battlefield has one of America's smallest national cemeteries. The town changed hands many times during the war. Leesburg was also a base for Col. John S. Mosby and his group of soldiers called the Raiders. The mascot for Loudoun County High School is named after them.

In the 20th century, Leesburg was home to famous people. World War II General George C. Marshall, who created the Marshall Plan to help rebuild Europe, lived here. Radio star Arthur Godfrey also lived in Leesburg and gave land for the town's first airport.

Today, Leesburg is still the center of government and business for Loudoun County. The town's Historic District is known as one of the best-preserved downtown areas in Virginia.

Historic Places to Visit

Leesburg has many historic places. Here are a few:

• The Marshall House (also called Dodona Manor): This is the old home of George C. Marshall. He was a famous general and diplomat who won the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Morven Park: This was the large estate of Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis.
• Oatlands Plantation: A very important historic site.
• White's Ferry: This is the only ferry left that crosses the Potomac River. It carries cars and people. Ferries have been crossing here since 1828.

Leesburg's Location

Leesburg is located at 39°7′N 77°33′W / 39.117°N 77.550°W / 39.117; -77.550.

The town covers about 12.5 square miles (32 km²) of land. Leesburg is in the northern part of Virginia, at the base of Catoctin Mountain. This mountain is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town is also in the valley of the Potomac River. The land is mostly flat, but some parts of western Leesburg are higher up near Catoctin Mountain.

Who Lives in Leesburg?

In 2020, Leesburg had 48,250 people. In 2010, there were 42,616 people living in the town. About 30.7% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age was 33.3 years.

Schools in Leesburg

Leesburg has four public high schools run by the Loudoun County Public Schools:

• Loudoun County High School
• Heritage High School
• Tuscarora High School
• Riverside High School

There are also several private schools in Leesburg, such as Providence Academy, Leesburg Christian School, and Loudoun Country Day School.

Town Services

The Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company provides fire protection. The Loudoun County Volunteer Rescue Squad helps with rescue and medical emergencies. Both groups are mostly volunteers, with some paid staff from the county. The fire company started in 1803, and the rescue squad began in 1952.

Leesburg has its own police department, the Leesburg Police Department (LPD). It has about 90 officers who patrol the town 24/7. They also handle investigations and traffic. The LPD started in 1758.

News and Media

The Loudoun Times-Mirror is a weekly newspaper based in Leesburg that covers Loudoun County. Leesburg is part of the Washington, D.C. media market, so its major TV and radio stations are available.

Getting Around Leesburg

View north along US 15 and east along SR 7 on the Leesburg Bypass

The main roads in Leesburg are U.S. Route 15, Virginia State Route 7, and Virginia State Route 267.

• US 15 goes through Leesburg, connecting to Warrenton to the southwest and Frederick, Maryland to the northeast.
• SR 7 also runs through Leesburg, connecting to Winchester to the west and Alexandria to the southeast.
• SR 267 is a toll road called the Dulles Greenway. It helps drivers bypass traffic on SR 7 southeast of Leesburg.

Loudoun County Transit provides public bus services in Leesburg.

Businesses and Industries

Leesburg has the Leesburg Executive Airport at Godfrey Field. This airport is used by private and company planes. It helps the local economy by nearly $78 million each year. The airport was built in 1963 by Arthur Godfrey, a famous radio personality who lived nearby. He called his old airport "The Old Cow Pasture."

The National Conference Center is also near Leesburg. It was built by Xerox in the 1970s. Governments and businesses use it for meetings.

Market Station in Leesburg's Historic District has offices, shops, and restaurants. These are in old buildings like a railroad freight station and barns that have been restored.

Iridium Communications Inc., which manages a system of satellites, has its control center in Leesburg.

Top Employers in Leesburg

Here are some of the biggest employers in Leesburg:

Fun Things to Do in Leesburg

Parks and Nature

• Ida Lee Park: This large park was given to the town in 1986 by William F. Rust, Jr., and his wife. They asked for it to be named after Ida Lee, Mr. Rust's grandmother, to remember the connection between the Lee family and Leesburg. The park has a picnic area and playground.
• Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail: This trail is 45-mile (72 km) long and is great for hikers, bikers, and joggers. It follows an old railroad path.
• Red Rocks Wilderness Overlook Regional Park: Located along the Potomac River, this park has 67 acres (27 ha) of woods and over 2 miles (3.2 km) of trails. You can find ruins from 1869 here.
• The Rust Manor House and Nature Sanctuary: This sanctuary has a large house and a nature reserve. It is owned and run by the Audubon Naturalist Society.

Events and Festivals

• Leesburg's Flower and Garden Festival: Held every April in the Historic District, this event features garden displays, vendors, and entertainment.
• Fourth of July Celebration: This includes a morning parade, a festival at Ida Lee Park, and fireworks in the evening.
• Classic Car Show: Held every first Saturday in June, this show features many classic cars and hot rods, along with music and food.
• Leesburg AirShow: This event happens every last Saturday in September. It includes parachute jumpers, amazing aerobatic routines, old warplanes, and model aircraft.
• Halloween Parade: This is one of the oldest Halloween parades in the country. It features marching bands, floats from local businesses, and lots of candy for watchers!
• Santa Rides: Since 1988, members of the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company decorate a fire truck with Christmas lights. Santa, Rudolf, and Frosty ride on top, waving to people in town.

Famous People from Leesburg

See also

In Spanish: Leesburg (Virginia) para niños