Leesburg Has Gone To The Dogs!

Every time I turn around there is some special event for DOGS here in Leesburg.  Sheesh!  You'd think they were part of the family or something.

Not too long ago, the "off leash" dog park opened at Olde Isaak Walton Park in Leesburg (just off Rte 15/King Street on the south side of town, near the Bloom grocery store).  Olde Isaak Walton is a a 21 acre park with a small stream, huge 3 1/2 acre lake, a community center, picnic areas, hiking trails and now an off leash dog park.

The weekend after the official closing of the AV Symington Aquatic Park (aka the Water Park/Outdoor Pool at Ida Lee), they offered a "Dog Swim" with proceeds of the event supporting the non profit organization "Leesburg Dogs" who will use the money to continue its efforts to maintain the existing dog park, and they hope to have even more dog parks in the future.

The Historic Area in Leesburg is even getting in on the action!  On Sunday is the 2009 "Dog Day in Downtown"!    From 12 to 4, part of the streets will be closed off for a "doggie fair" of sorts.  You're encouraged to bring Fido and snoop around.  They will have lots of dog related vendors - doggie boutiques, pet sitters, photographers and trainers - and more.  You'll also be able to find out how to support rescue organizations and perhaps even adopt a dog!

And, this year there's a costume contest for the dogs, with photographers on hand!

The event is rain or shine... and I hope you go and take lots of photos.  My dog is not well behaved enough to go out in public, but what a shame... because she does SO like to get dressed up!

Please, send me your photos and let me know about your experience.

For more information on this event, visit http://www.meetmedowntown.com/ and click on October Events.... and to keep abreast of Loudoun Happenings stay tuned to "LivingInLoCo" here at http://www.livinginloco.blogspot.com/. 

For information on our local real estate market, visit http://www.therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/.

To search for a home for sale in Leesburg or the surrounding areas, use the Home Search Option at http://www.vickychrisner.com/.  Or, run a Market Snapshot to receive a free emailed report that will give you the sales IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

Happy Birthday, Leesburg!

Happy Birthday, Leesburg!  Two hundred fifty one years ago today, The Town of Leesburg was created by the Virginia General Assembly.

Leesburg is located just 35 miles outside Washington, DC, in the Virginia Piedmont between the Potomac River and the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountain range.

Originally the town was called George Town, in honor of the king of Great Britain, but was renamed Leesburg for the Lee family of Virginia.  The town's location was near the center of the county, and located at the major crossroads of Carolina Road (which ran north-south) and Leesburg Turnpike (which still runs east-west through the town).  Thus, it was the center of commercial and political activities in the county and was governed by a Board of Trustees until 1813. 

Few people know that the Town of Leesburg served as Capital of the United States, and home to the Federal Archives (including the Declaration of Independence & the Constitution) for a period during the War of 1812.

From 1847 through 1968, the W & OD Railroad ran right through town, with passenger and freight stops on the west side of King Street, bringing in even more commerce to the area.  Today, the trail where the trains ran is owned by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, and is enjoyed by walkers, bicyclists and equestrians.  The park runs from Purcellville straight through to Alexandria.

In 1970, the town's Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Today, Leesburg remains the county seat of perhaps the wealthiest county in all of the US.  It spans nearly 8,000 acres, and is considering adding another 2,200 acres into the town limits.  Today's population is approaching 40,000 and some future propulation estimates go as high as 80,000 should the additional acreage be annexed.

Learn more about the people who call Leesburg Home (CLICK HERE).