In Leesburg, 50 Years of Preservation Recognized

June 10 marked the 50^th Anniversary of the Leesburg Town Council’s creation of the Old and Historic District, making the town just the fifth jurisdiction in the state to enact such an ordinance.

At that time, the Council expressed the need to “preserve the unique cultural heritage represented by the original section of the town.” The cities of Alexandria, Charlottesville, Richmond and Williamsburg ad previously established preservation districts.

During its business meeting this week, the Leesburg Town Council commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Old & Historic District with a proclamation.

“Leesburg’s Old & Historic District predates the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, placing our district among the oldest in the country,” said Kim Del Rance, the Town’s Preservation Planner, in a press release from the town. “That distinction is an amazing legacy, of which Leesburg should be very proud.”

The original boundaries of Leesburg’s Old & Historic District followed the town limits as depicted on the 1878 Gray’s New Map of Leesburg (attached). Since then, the district has been expanded several times.  Leesburg’s Old & Historic District became part of the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1969 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Both designations are honorary and do not protect properties within the district from inappropriate alteration or demolition.

When Leesburg created the Old & Historic District, the town council also created the Board of Architectural Review, and Mayor Frank Raflo appointed the following seven members:  Elliott Vandeventer, Lewis B. Taylor, Maurice R. Lowenbach, Mrs. Frank T. Osborn, Robert C. Forbes, Mrs. T. N. Delashmutt and Alexander Sweney. The first meeting of the BAR was held Tuesday, July 9, 1963. An application for alteration to the Loudoun Times-Mirror building (9 East Market Street) was approved at that first meeting.