 Quick Facts about Leesburg
Population: Approximately 36,629.
Land Area: 11.6 sq. miles.
Distance to Washington DC: 33 miles.
Distance to Richmond (State Capital): 108 miles
Position: 39.10 degrees north of the equator and 77.55 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Elevation: 275 to 425 feet above sea level.
Average Annual Rainfall: 40 inches per year
Average Annual Snowfall: 23 inches per year
Average Winter Temp: 31 degrees F
Average Summer Temp: 76 degrees F
Median income: $89,946
Median Home Price: $269,920
History of Leesburg
Leesburg, established in 1758, is the seat of government for Loudoun County. The town’s rich history spans three centuries and began when it was originally settled as George Town in honor of the reigning monarch of Great Britain. Leesburg was then renamed later to honor the influential Lee family of Virginia.
Leesburg has been very influential during our country’s history, including during the War of 1812, when it temporarily served as the capital of the United States. During that time Leesburg housed many of the valuable papers of the Federal Archives (including the Declaration of Independence and Constitution) when they were brought to town for safekeeping. A few years later, President James Monroe resided just south of town at Oak Hill, where he wrote the Monroe Doctrine in 1823.
 Leesburg also played a role in the Civil War when it was the site of the Battle of Ball's Bluff, which was fought on the banks of the Potomac River. The battle, which was a bloody Confederate victory, claimed the life of a close friend of President Lincoln, Col. Edward Baker. The brutality of the battle spawned a congressional committee to investigate the conduct of war. The battlefield is marked by one of America's smallest national cemeteries. Click here for more information on the Civil War in Leesburg.
In the 20th century, Leesburg was the home of World War II General George C. Marshall, architect of the famous Marshall Plan that re-built Europe after the war, and radio personality Arthur Godfrey, who donated land for the town's first airport.
Today Leesburg continues to serve as the center of government and commerce for Loudoun County. Its Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and is cited as one of the best-preserved and most picturesque downtowns in Virginia. 
When visiting Leesburg, make time to browse The Loudoun Museum located next to Town Hall in downtown Leesburg. The museum offers a video on the history of Leesburg and Loudoun County and is an ideal place to begin your tour of Leesburg. Another must see for the history enthusiasts is the Thomas Balch Library, located one block west of Town Hall. The library is a repository for historical and genealogical information for Leesburg and the surrounding area and is a popular destination for those researching their family trees.
 |