What is the history of Leesburg, Florida?
Leesburg was first settled in 1857 by Evander McIver Lee. Several of Evander Lee’s brothers followed him to the area. One of these brothers, Calvin Lee, was credited with giving the town its name. The city of Leesburg was first incorporated in 1875, and was the county seat of Sumter County, FloridaSumter County for a time until Lake County, FloridaLake County was formed in 1887. In the early 20th century, Leesburg was an important center for watermelon production. In 1930, Leesburg held its first Watermelon Festival, an annual tradition that would last until watermelon production in the area dwindled to the point that watermelons for the last festival had to be brought in from outside the area. In 1938, the Works Progress AdministrationWPA began work on the Venetian Gardens waterside park, on the shores of Lake Harris. The canals and gardens of this park have been a centerpiece of the community ever since. In 1982, Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist Randy Rhoads was killed in a plane crash at t
