Leesburg is a town of 24,000 people (2019) in Lake County, Florida. The town is between Lakes Griffin and Harris.
Understand
History
The town was settled by Evander Lee in the 1850s, and his family chose their own last name for the town. When it was incorporated in 1875, it became the Sumter County seat until the county was divided 12 years later; Leesburg became a town of Lake County. Agriculture was important, and the watermelon crop became so successful that a Watermelon Festival was held annually from 1930 until 1957. During the Great Depression, the government built the Venetian Park 📍 on Lake Harris' northern shore.
In the latter half of the 20th century, Leesburg's economy diversified from agriculture. Lake Square Mall 📍 opened in 1980, though tragedy struck in 1982 when guitarist Randy Rhoads died in a plane crash in Leesburg. The cold winters of 1983-1984 and 1984-1985 brought an end to the citrus crop. Starting in 1997, the Leesburg Bikefest became important for the town, and it now attracts a quarter of a million people annually. Nearby Orlando and two colleges (Lake–Sumter State College and Beacon College) have become important in the local economy.
Get in
By car
US-27 goes north-south through the western side of Leesburg. US-441 and FL-44 go west-east through the town; US-441 comes from Tavares and US-27 and US-441 as a combined route come from The Villages to the northwest.
Get around
See
- Leesburg Center for the Arts, 429 W Magnolia St, +1 352 365-0232, director@leesburgarts.com. M–F 10AM–5PM. 2021-10-17
- Mason Art Center (Kristin Michelle Mason Art Gallery), 103 E Main St (Beacon College campus), 28.8108°, -81.875°. M–F 9AM–5PM. 2021-10-17
- Mote-Morris House, 1195 W Magnolia St (formerly 1021 W Main St). It was built in 1892 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in December 1974. The city, which owns the property, does guided tours twice monthly. A possible arson in February 2018 seriously damaged the house. 2021-10-18
- Leesburg Heritage Society & Museum, 111 S 6th St (between Main and Magnolia), 28.8107°, -81.8781°, +1 352 315-1800. M–F 10AM–3PM. 2021-10-17
- Veterans Memorial at Fountain Park, 404 N Blvd E, 28.814°, -81.8786°, +1 352 314-2100, info@lakeveterans.com. Dedicated in 2012 and 2016-17. 2021-10-18
Do
- Bourlay Historic Nature Park, 901 N Canal St (turn north from US-441 onto Canal St and follow to the parking lot at the end), 28.8211°, -81.8728°, +1 352 343-3777. 2021-10-18
- Sabal Bluff Preserve, 28.8302°, -81.8328°. 55 acres and about 2 miles of trails. 2021-10-18
Buy
- Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe, 410 W Main St, 28.8113°, -81.8774°, +1 352 435-9107, rejoyce71@aol.com. M–F 11AM–9PM, Sa 4–9PM. 2021-10-18
Eat
- Ichiban Buffet, 10301 US-441, 28.8235°, -81.7867°, +1 352 728-6669. Su–Th 11AM–9PM, F–Sa 11AM–9:30PM. Chinese and Japanese cuisine. 2021-10-18
- Sip Restaurant & Jazz, 707 W Main St, 28.8111°, -81.8785°, +1 352 435-7840. Bar/restaurant with live jazz four times weekly. 2021-10-18
- Turners Kitchen & Bar, 114 S 5th St, 28.8104°, -81.8774°, +1 352 530-2274, info@turnerskitchen.com. American Low Country cuisine. Reservations are recommended. 2021-10-18
Drink
Sleep
- Hampton Inn Leesburg/Tavares, 9630 US-441, 28.8253°, -81.7964°, +1 352 315-1053. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 2021-10-18
- Microtel Inn & Suites, 9700 US-441, 28.8251°, -81.7959°, +1 352 315-1234. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $89+ per night (2021) 2021-10-18
Connect
Go next
- Tavares and Mount Dora to the east
- Fruitland Park and The Villages to the northwest