Leesville is close to Fort Polk while offering multiple amenities
While Leesville is brimming with housing, dining locations, and outdoor spaces, the defining feature of the Vernon Parish seat is its proximity to the Fort Polk Army installation. The community sits just west of the fort, which has been in the area since World War II. The fort is home to the U.S. Army’s Joint Readiness Training Center and also serves as the region's primary economic engine and one of the main causes of relocation to Leesville. However, the area’s attractions and tight-knit atmosphere have also led many people to put down roots. “We are a melting pot of military people and military retirees,” says Lee Birmingham, a broker with ERA Sarver Real Estate. “It’s a small-town atmosphere, everybody likes everybody. There is no airs here; in other words, you don’t have to prove yourself here, you're taken at your word. Our school is desirable for our kids, we don’t have [much] crime to speak of, it’s a good place to live.”
Multiple housing styles to choose from with no HOA
Homes can vary from Victorians to ranch-styles, bungalows and New Traditionals. The median price is over $193,000, far lower than the state and national medians. However, inventory moves more slowly, spending an average of 153 days on the market, longer than the national average of 52 days. Birmingham says there is no HOA activity.
Homes are typically on gridded streets with large lots, with oak and pine trees accenting lawns. Some subdivisions have smaller plots, with less tree cover and no sidewalks. “It's pretty peaceful and laid-back,” says Birmingham.
Vernon Parish School Board is the main public school system
Students can attend the Vernon Parish School Board, graded B-plus on Niche. They go to kindergarten through fourth grade at West Leesville Elementary, earning a B, and continue to B-ranked Vernon Middle for fifth and sixth grade. They can then go to Leesville Junior High, receiving an A-minus, for seventh and eighth grades. Pupils can finish at Leesville High, which has a B and offers career courses in nursing and accounting.
Parks, concerts, lakes and rodeos offer year-round entertainment
Leesville has multiple parks, including Myrtle Park, featuring playgrounds, sports courts and a 9-hole frisbee golf course. Magnolia Park has various art installations and a walking path. Leesville Municipal Park has a splash pad and a 9-hole, 2,800-yard golf course open to the public. Vernon Lake, northwest of downtown, has public boat launches and multiple fishing spots.
The Museum of West Louisiana, located downtown, contains multiple artifacts and exhibits on local history. The city also holds free concerts at the Polk Community Theatre every April. In October, the town hosts a professional rodeo event at the Vernon Parish Rodeo Arena, featuring a parade, bull riding and barrel racing.
Dining and shopping in both downtown or U.S. Highway 171
Restaurants are concentrated downtown or along U.S. Highway 171 and feature a mix of chain and local spots. Brenda’s Kitchen serves Puerto Rican cuisine, while the Starlite Grill serves Korean food. Toups’ Kajun Kitchen has breakfast items and regional classics such as po-boy sandwiches and gumbo.
Downtown has several boutiques, while big-box retailers, including Walmart, Lowe’s and Bealls, are off U.S. 171.
Weather risks in Leesville
According to maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there is some risk of flooding, and hurricanes can also be a factor. A rail line does pass through the area, but Birmingham says that most residents get used to the noise.
No public transit, but road connections to other cities
Leesville does not have any transit connections and is car-dependent. Highway 28 connects to Interstate 49 in Alexandria, around 52 miles east. Alexandria International Airport is 49 miles east and has flights to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Dallas-Fort Worth International. Byrd Regional Hospital on Fertitta Boulevard offers long-term and behavioral health services.
