A train depot evolved into a county seat in Leesburg
Leesburg first appeared on the map in 1870 as Wooten Station, a stop on the Central of Georgia Railway. Four years later, the southwest Georgia city was incorporated and rechristened with its current name. The railway ceased operations in 1963, but the depot still stands as a historic landmark in Leesburg, now the seat of Lee County and home to 3,000 residents. Since the city is in the heart of Georgia's peanut-growing region, agriculture has supplanted the railroad as the driving force of the local economy. As the population ticks upward thanks to a highly rated school district, Leesburg retains its mellow charm. “It’s a slower-paced kind of life,” says Lisa Davis, current resident and owner of The Brokerage Real Estate Company. “You don’t have a lot of traffic, so it’s not uncommon to see people with their kids playing outside or riding their bikes in the street.” Leesburg is about 10 miles north of Albany, the region’s commercial hub.
Brick ranch-style homes on the narrow streets of Leesburg
Tall oak and evergreen trees tower over many of Leesburg’s residential streets, lending shade to the sizable land parcels. Some lots measure over a half-acre, and while homes on the eastern side of town are typically closer together, most still have a decent amount of yard space. Roads are narrow, and most lack sidewalks, making them difficult to navigate on foot. Except for a few older builds, many houses were built between 1990 and 2010. Ranch-style homes start around $125,000 to $250,000, while contemporary builds are typically priced from $200,000 to $300,000. Larger Acadian and custom homes might fetch $350,000 to $500,000. “Affordability meets charm,” Davis says of the Leesburg housing market. “You see a lot of southern-style brick ranch homes at a fraction of what you’d pay somewhere else.”
Lee County School System receives a Niche grade of A-minus
With a Niche grade of A-minus, the Lee County School System is a top draw for area families. The B-plus-rated Lee County High School is the only high school in the district and offers a roster of AP classes that can vary from year to year. Options typically include English literature and composition, physics, calculus and world history.
Hunting, fishing and high school football at Trojan Stadium
Much of the outdoor recreation in Leesburg revolves around organized sports. The Lee County Parks and Recreation Department has several baseball and softball complexes that host youth and adult leagues, and fans gather for high school football games at Trojan Stadium from late summer through fall. The surrounding countryside offers plenty of opportunities to hunt deer, turkey and waterfowl, and anglers can cast their lines in the Flint River. “It’s a place for outdoor lovers,” Davis says.
Route 19 bridges the gap between Leesburg and Albany
U.S. Route 19 curves around the western edge of town and leads about 10 miles south to Albany. “Leesburg is dependent on Albany,” Davis says. “They’re so close, and because everything is growing and bringing them together, it’s hard to tell where one starts and the other ends.” Albany is home to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and Southwest Georgia Regional Airport, which offers flights to Atlanta three times a day. Most Leesburg residents commute to Albany for work, where Molson Coors Beverage Company, Proctor & Gamble and Georgia Pacific Lumber are major employers. Albany is also home to the Marine Corps Logistics Base, which provides many military and civilian jobs. Closer to home, the agricultural industry is still alive and thriving. Folks working in Leesburg might join the crews at Farmers Grown Peanuts or Goodson Pecans, a multigenerational family business that’s been operating since 1972.
Local food and shopping on Walnut Street in Leesburg
Most of Leesburg’s restaurant and retail options are on Walnut Street in the southwestern part of town. “Leesburg does not have a walkable downtown, so they’re trying to do the best they can with what they have,” Davis says. “There are a couple of buildings they’re renovating and trying to make into a retail area, but it’s not very big.” A few fast-food joints line the four-lane highway, and Local Grocery and Family Dollar cover the basics. Locals praise the homemade cakes and Sunday brunch at J & E’s Country Restaurant, which serves homestyle favorites buffet-style. Across the street, Pancho’s Grill has built a solid reputation for its quesabirria tacos and fast, friendly service.
Spirit of Christmas Parade & Festival in December
Locals ring in the holiday season with the Spirit of Christmas Parade & Festival, typically held on the first Saturday in December. The one-day event kicks off with a parade in the morning and continues with food vendors, live entertainment, rides and kids’ activities.
Stormwater management practices help offset threats to water quality
Since stormwater runoff can be an issue in this area, the county website provides information on point sources of pollution and the adverse effects of untreated runoff. Several educational programs and activities, along with a countywide Stormwater Management Ordinance, are in place to help offset the issue.
