Leesburg (Florida)

Leesburg is a town of 24,000 people (2019) in Lake County, Florida. The town is between Lakes Griffin and Harris.

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 on Lake Harris' northern shore.

In the latter half of the 20th century, Leesburg's economy diversified from agriculture. 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.

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.

By bus
lists the intercity bus companies serving the Orlando Metropolitan area from all parts of the state.
 * 1 Leesburg - Tavares - Eustis (Ardice Transfer Station) via US 441. Passengers connect in Eustis to reach Mount Dora, Zellwood (nearest point towards the Orlando Metropolitan Area), and Altoona (north of Eustis).
 * 1A Leesburg - The Villages (Spanish Springs Station) via US 441/27
 * 2 Leesburg Connector serves as a local bus shuttle around town.
 * 2 Leesburg Connector serves as a local bus shuttle around town.

These bus routes are not connected to other LakeXpress routes in Clermont at US Hwy 27 & FL-Hwy 50 or Orlando Health South Lake Hospital in Four Corners in the southeastern corner of the county. No inter-county bus connections to/from adjacent counties from here.

Go next

 * Tavares and Mount Dora to the east
 * Fruitland Park and The Villages to the northwest