Leesburg

Leesburg is located in western Cherokee County in the northeastern corner of the state, less than a mile from Weiss Lake. The town was home to renowned herbalist and naturalist Tommie Bass.

Leesburg has existed as a community since the mid-1830s; it was named after the Henslees, a prominent local family who settled there in 1836, after the forced removal of the Cherokee Indians for whom the county is named. The first postmaster was in fact Charles Henslee. The town also has been known as Dublin, and its present name was originally spelled "Leesburgh." The first school was established in 1870. A branch of the Southern Railway once ran through the town, but service ended in the 1940s. Leesburg was incorporated in 1958.

According to 2016 Census estimates, Leesburg recorded a population of 1,181. Of that number, 99.0 percent identified themselves as white, 1.0 percent as two or more races, and 0.4 percent as Hispanic. The town's median household income was $44,135 and the per capita income was $20,594.

According to 2016 Census estimates, the workforce in Leesburg was divided among the following industrial categories:

· Manufacturing (36.5 percent)
· Educational services, and health care and social assistance (26.7 percent)
· Construction (9.8 percent)
· Arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services (6.2   percent)
· Public administration (5.3 percent)
· Retail trade (4.7 percent)
· Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (4.5 percent)
· Wholesale trade (3.6 percent)
· Information (0.9 percent)
· Finance and insurance, and real estate, rental, and leasing (0.7 percent)
· Other services, except public administration (0.7 percent)
· Professional, scientific, management, and administrative and waste   management services (0.4 percent)

No public schools are located within the Leesburg city limits; students in Leesburg attend Cherokee County Schools.

U.S. Highway 411 runs roughly east-west through Leesburg, and State Road 68 runs north from town.

Events and Places of Interest

Cherokee Rock Village, series of rock outcrops popular with climbers, is located 5 miles north of Leesburg. Nearby Weiss Lake offers numerous recreational opportunities, including swimming, boating, camping, and fishing. Leesburg Landing is located on the lake and has walking trails, camping areas, and an RV park. In addition, Leesburg has two city parks with pavilions, grills, and playground equipment, and baseball/softball complex.

Leesburg Day is held the second Saturday in September and features arts, crafts, and food vendors. "Trunk or Treat" is held every Halloween and is sponsored by Leesburg businesses and the town.

Additional Resources

Cherokee County Heritage Book Committee. The Heritage of Cherokee County, Alabama. Clanton, Ala.: Heritage Publishing Consultants, 1998.

Stewart, Margaret Estelle Ross. Cherokee County History, 1836-1956. Centre, Ala.: n.p., 1958.