Lake Co. Communities and Settlements
Leesburg
Leesburg became the county seat of Sumter County when it
was created on January 8, 1853. A courthouse was built on Main Street.
Evander Lee and his wife Susan are among the founders of the present-day Leesburg. The Lees brought their eight children to the area in 1857 after they bought 320 acres between Lakes Harris and Griffin for $3,200
from James C. Fussell.
In 1866, Evander Lee and his younger brother, Calvin, had
opened a store on Main Street. Getting goods
for the store involved bringing them into Silver
Springs by boat and the Leesburg by
oxcart from there. Calvin had to tell
his suppliers whre to send his groceries, and
said "Send them to Leesburg"
thus giving the town a name.
In 1886, fifty-six new homes and
businesses were built. The population increased to 1,650. Leesburg was
the only town south of Jacksonville to have a
hard surfaced street. It was built of red clay by citizens.
In 1887 when Lake County was formed out of Orange and
Sumter counties, Leesburg officials aassumed that because the
city was the oldest and largest town in the new county and already had a courthouse, it would be named as county seat, but Lees-burg lost out to Tavares.
Although citrus groves have dimished to make way for
homes, There is still a Minute Maid plant in Leesburg.
was created on January 8, 1853. A courthouse was built on Main Street.
Evander Lee and his wife Susan are among the founders of the present-day Leesburg. The Lees brought their eight children to the area in 1857 after they bought 320 acres between Lakes Harris and Griffin for $3,200
from James C. Fussell.
In 1866, Evander Lee and his younger brother, Calvin, had
opened a store on Main Street. Getting goods
for the store involved bringing them into Silver
Springs by boat and the Leesburg by
oxcart from there. Calvin had to tell
his suppliers whre to send his groceries, and
said "Send them to Leesburg"
thus giving the town a name.
In 1886, fifty-six new homes and
businesses were built. The population increased to 1,650. Leesburg was
the only town south of Jacksonville to have a
hard surfaced street. It was built of red clay by citizens.
In 1887 when Lake County was formed out of Orange and
Sumter counties, Leesburg officials aassumed that because the
city was the oldest and largest town in the new county and already had a courthouse, it would be named as county seat, but Lees-burg lost out to Tavares.
Although citrus groves have dimished to make way for
homes, There is still a Minute Maid plant in Leesburg.
Leesburg Photos Leesburg Timeline
Return to Lake County
Comments and suggestions will be welcomed.
This page last updated February 4, 2012
© 2009-2012 Fran Smith
Settlements
Acron Aka Paisley
Altoona
Astor
Cassia
Clermont
Eustis
Groveland
Lake Mack
Leesburg
Mascotte
Montverde
Mount Dora
Okahumpka
Orange Bend
Paisley
Pitman
Ravenwood
Sorrento
Umatilla