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Leesburg's History
In 1802, the Village of Leesburg was founded and incorporated by Nathaniel Pope, John Walters and John Howard. The first Quakers, or Friends as we now know them, held meetings in late 1802. In the early years, Leesburg was known for its flouring and woolen mills.
The pictures below and information about them are provided by Jerry Pausch in his own words
In 2002, Leesburg celebrated its bicentennial. Local residents compiled the "Short History of Leesburg" to commemorate this event.
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Leesburg, Ohio
"The Friendly Village"
Don't know much about the origin of this "sweet corn canning factory", but during the 1940s and 1950s, it was owned by Charlie Elliott of New Vienna.
I worked there a couple summers in early 1950s dealing with the shucks that came out the back on a conveyor belt, which were loaded onto dump trucks and hauled to farmers.
During WWII, there were German prisoners of war working there. My mother and other ladies used to take food over to them. I remember guards being on the front porch. Not sure if the prisoners were held at the little Army base in Hillsboro (now Sherwood Camper), or at the Clinton County Air Base.
Later businesses at the Canning Factory Building included a Grain & Hobby Shop, and now a company run by Susan May and daughters, Jamie & Toni, for assembling parts for the auto parts supplier in Hillsboro.
Taken about 1943-44..the girls are (front row l-r): Mary "Driz" Evans James (1941), Marian Engle Butler (1944), Eleanor Terry Cunningham (1943) Back row: Jean Terry Ongaro (1945) and Jeanne Morgan (1945)
Old Veterans Memorial Billboard and "The Fountain" (a signature piece of Leesburg). Note the "WCTU" letters (can't see the metal plaque).
The old school.
Called the "Srofe Building" although Dr. Srofe did not build it, but owned it while he was a dentist for about 40 years in Leesburg (large building in the background).
Later in the 1950s, it was sometimes referred to as the masonic building. Town Telephone Exchange was on the second floor. On first floor (left side) was a bakery (first Dononoo's and later Pfister's). Originally, on the right side of first floor was Leesburg Federal and later "Green Door", a teenage hangout.
Apartment on second floor was occupied by Helen VanWinkle and sons. Helen was one of the telephone operators. Another one was Carrie Duncanson. The Masonic Lodge was on the third floor.
On the right side of the building (behind fountain) was an office area - an insurance company first owned by Charley Teter then Donald McCoppin. It later moved to office in building where Vets Memorial is now. Lew Duncan bought the business from Mr. McCoppin in 1963 and subsequently the business is now owned by Kay Simmons.
Dr. Srofe lived in the second house on S. High St. from South St. and across from Buddy Griffith...two sons - Garner (about 1927) and Bill (class of 1931)...both graduated from Leesburg High School. Dr. Srofe's granddaughter (Florida resident) contacted me last summer. Came to Leesburg and Marian Butler arranged for her to see the inside of her grandmother's home for the first time in over 50 years.
The Srofe Building apparently burned in 1960s and later was torn down. At the same time, the fountain was torn down for some reason.
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Hardy's Mill...not sure if this was a grist or woolen mill...and probably located down at the end of Mill Trace next to creek. You can still see stones in the side of the hill (behind the trailer on N. High St.) from an old mill. This area seems to have been where the beginning of Leesburg took place.
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The Central House Hotel... located in the lot across from now Fifth Third Bank. In 1940s-50s, owned by Bob Cunningham's parents, Walter (Butch) & Hazel. They also had a restaurant and lived upstairs.
Top photo - 1912
Bottom photo - early 1950's
Street view from hotel.
Mack Sauer promoted Leesburg all the time and became Leesburg's most famous person. Although not born and raised here, he bought the Leesburg Citizen in 1930's and started "Breakfast at Sauer's" radio program about 1947-48 on Middletown WPFB at 7:30-8am during the week. He broadcast from his living room above a pizza place for a few years and later in a studio in the back of first floor. Leesburg was the center of the five-county area since it had the only radio program in the 1950s.
Mack, about 5'6", was a dynamic person whom everybody loved. He wrote two books - "Ramblings and Rumblings" and "The Editor Squeaks". He also loved to pull jokes on people.
Mack became a national-known speaker, giving a mix of comedy and patriotism during his presentations. He died in 1958. His two children are still living - Ann (class of 1946) lives in Sedona, AZ with her son, and Mack, Jr. (class of 1952) lives in Carrollton, OH. "He was one of a kind."
