Leesburg, VA

Historic Leesburg, founded in 1758, is a bedroom community of the nation's capital, with a population of about 38,000. Located about 35 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., the city is home to the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center. The major artery through town is State Route 7 (the Leesburg Pike), running almost parallel with the Potomac River. Leesburg is named for the colonial politician Thomas Lee, a member of the House of Burgesses, Virginia's original government.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Near Leesburg's Historic District is Market Station, a commercial space of restored mills, barns and a railroad freight station, containing law offices, technology firms, retail shops and restaurants. In downtown Leesburg, you can also browse through antique stores, art galleries and specialty shops. There is also the 110-store Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets. And there's a year-round farmers market.

In the 1970s, Xerox built a National Conference Center, which businesses and local governments use for conferences. Loudoun Hospital Center is about five miles southeast of town.

There are about 10,600 houses in the neighborhoods and districts of Leesburg, with more than 7,000 owner-occupied, while renters occupy about 3,300.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Leesburg has a thriving economy by virtue of its proximity with Washington, D.C. In addition, Leesburg Executive Airport serves the business community. It's owned by the town and provides private and corporate aircraft operations. The facility also relieves some of the traffic at Dulles International, just south of town and closer to Washington. The Leesburg airport was once known as Godfrey Field, named after the radio personality Arthur Godfrey. The radio star in the 1950s owned a home in Loudoun County and bought land for an airport so he could commute to New York City for his show.

The major employers are Loundoun County, the public schools and the Federal Aviation Administration.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• The Loudoun Museum: Located in historic Downtown Leesburg, the Loudoun Museum offers exhibits that highlight the cultural heritage of Loudoun County. The museum hosts free Family Fun Days four times a year. These special events feature crafts, storytelling and games.
• The Winmill Carriage Museum: The Winmill Carriage Museum at Morven Park offers visitors a glimpse at what life was like in the late 19th and early 20th century. The museum houses carriages donated by the late Viola Winmill. The collection includes period carriages from all over the world.
• Thomas Balch Library: Leesburg's Thomas Balch Library is a history and genealogy library with collections emphasizing the history of the area. It is also an Underground Railroad research site. Tours and orientations are available for patrons doing research.

FOR VISITORS

• Dodona Manor: The restored home of Gen. George C. Marshall, architect of the Marshall Plan, which was instrumental in the recovery of post-War Europe.
• White's Ferry: The only ferry across the Potomac River. For more than 180 years, this site outside Leesburg has offered ferry service across the river.
• Morven Park: The estate of the late Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis.
• Ida Lee Park: Funded by the local Rust family to honor their grandmother Ida Lee Rust, who was related to Gen. Robert E. Lee. The park includes a pavilion and playground.
• Leesburg Animal Park: Open each year from March though September, the Leesburg Animal Park offers pony and safari wagon rides. Visitors can also enjoy the park's animal collection, which includes lemurs, rainbow lory parrots and giant tortoises.

FAMILY FUN

• Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail: The 45-mile Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail is a converted recreational trail for walking, biking and jogging.
• Catoctin Skate Park: The only park of its kind in northern Virginia, the Catoctin Skate Park offers 12,000 square feet of recreational space for skaters and skateboarders, and features obstacles such as launch ramps, rail slides and half-pipes.
• Goose Creek Golf Club: Goose Creek Golf Club has been a favorite with golfers for more than 50 years. The 18-hole, par-71 course offers challenges to players of any skill level. The club also offers a clubhouse and patio.
• Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park: Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park offers hikers a view of the Potomac River as they navigate its wooded nature trail.

EVENTS

• Flower and Garden Festival: Leesburg's Flower and Garden Festival is held in the Historic District in April.
• Court and Market Days: October brings Court and Market Days to the Historic District. The festival celebrates Leesburg's cultural heritage. The town's Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The area has been named one of the most picturesque downtowns in Virginia.
• Virginia Wine Festival: Every year, Leesburg hosts the Virginia Wine Festival. This event features entertainment, demonstrations, children's activities and a crafts show. It is one of the largest wine festivals on the East Coast.

EDUCATION

Leesburg is home to a campus of Winchester-based Shenandoah University. The private university enrolls about 3,000 students in six schools offering 80 programs. George Washington University has a campus three miles south of the town.

LOCAL MEDIA

Leesburg is home to three newspapers: Leesburg Today, Loudoun Times Mirror and Purcellville Gazette Newspaper.

The city is home to one radio station, WAGE 1200-AM (CNN).