Leesburg Historic District
Offering a view of three centuries of history

Leesburg is one of the oldest towns in Northern Virginia. Its vibrant commercial center, featuring galleries, fine dining, antique stores, and trendy shops, attracts visitors from throughout the region. Originally an outfitting post during the French and Indian War, the town was established in 1758; like all land in this part of Virginia, it had once been part of the vast holdings of Lord Fairfax.  It was named “George Town” in honor of King George II. Later, the town became the county seat of Loudoun County and was renamed to honor Francis Lightfoot Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a local landowner.

Leesburg was a staging ground for the British during the French and Indian War and for the Colonials during the Revolutionary War. During the War of 1812, with the city of Washington in flames, 22 wagonloads of United States documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, much of George Washington's correspondences, and Congressional and State Department records, were brought to Leesburg for safekeeping.

During the Civil War, Leesburg was a strategic point for troop movements. The Battle of Ball's Bluff took place northeast of Leesburg. Many of the homes along King Street served as hospitals for soldiers that were wounded at the battle.