Leesburg, County seat in Loudoun County, Virginia, US
Leesburg is the county seat of Loudoun County in Virginia, about 33 miles (53 km) northwest of Washington. The town spreads across gentle hills at the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where several main roads converge.
The Virginia General Assembly founded the town in 1758 on land owned by Nicholas Minor. His tavern at the crossroads of two trade routes became the starting point for the settlement's growth.
The town name honors the Lee family, one of Virginia's most influential families. Today, residents gather in the historic center where the courthouse, shops, and cafés cluster around a central square.
The town sits along several highways that offer direct connections across the region. Visitors will find the historic center easy to explore on foot, with sidewalks running between the buildings.
During the War of 1812, the town kept the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution safe after both were evacuated from Washington. These documents spent several weeks in a local house before returning to the capital.
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