{"id":3466,"date":"2015-08-20T08:00:04","date_gmt":"2015-08-20T13:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestofswla.com\/?p=3466"},"modified":"2015-08-07T14:47:25","modified_gmt":"2015-08-07T19:47:25","slug":"an-inside-look-at-leesville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestofswla.com\/2015\/08\/20\/an-inside-look-at-leesville\/","title":{"rendered":"AN INSIDE LOOK AT LEESVILLE"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Tammy Sharp, Director of Public Information, City of Leesville<\/em><\/p>\n

\"L<\/a>The City of Leesville is in the heart of Vernon Parish, where Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center are also located. Leesville is the home for many military families, retired veterans, and civilians.<\/p>\n

Established as the parish seat of Vernon in 1871, the city was carved out of portions of Rapides, Natchitoches and Sabine parishes. In 1900, Leesville was incorporated.<\/p>\n

City founders John R. Smart, and his son Edmund E. Smart both served in the Louisiana House and Senate. Edmund Smart donated land from a portion of his plantation for the town, including the entire city block where the Historic Vernon Parish Courthouse is located. John Smart introduced the act that created the parish in the state legislature.<\/p>\n

In 1897, the railroad arrived in Leesville, providing for easier and faster transportation of goods and people. Soon after, the lumber industry began, causing the city\u2019s population to boom.<\/p>\n

\"l<\/a>The population expanded again in 1940, when the United States Army recognized that the land in Vernon Parish and at Peason Ridge provided an unparalleled opportunity for quickly and efficiently equipping and training U.S. forces. Thus Camp Polk was established during the Louisiana Maneuvers \u2014 a series of large-scale drills designed to prepare troops for World War II fighting conditions.<\/p>\n

At the government\u2019s request, Leesville\u2019s Heritage Families gave up their homesteads and their way of life so that the U.S. Army could meet its mission.<\/p>\n

Seventy-five years after these Heritage Families left their homes, soldiers are still being trained on these lands.<\/p>\n

Leesville plays host to two annual festivals that draw large crowds. The first weekend in May, the city hosts Mayfest in historic downtown Leesville. Winner of the Louey Award for 2012 Festival of the Year, Mayfest is a two-day event with free live musical entertainment, artists\u2019 demonstrations, children\u2019s activities and vendors from all over the region.<\/p>\n

\"L<\/a>The West Louisiana Forestry Festival and Fair and the Leesville Lions Club Rodeo are also hosted in Leesville on the first weekend of October. The events take place at the Vernon Parish Fairgrounds and the Vernon Parish Arena. Pageantry, parades, 4-H contests, a carnival and rodeo events are some of the family activities.<\/p>\n

Leesville offers fine outdoor recreational opportunities and many options for shopping and dining.<\/p>\n

In the last few years, leaders have secured $25 million for infrastructure projects on La. 467 \u2014 a main artery from Leesville into Fort Polk. Several high-traffic destinations are located along La. 467; these include a veteran\u2019s clinic, the Central Louisiana Veterans\u2019 Cemetery and a branch of Northwestern State University. A brand new, state of-the-art elementary school is nearing completion; this school will add to the high-profile destinations along this highway.<\/p>\n

To make the area more attractive to businesses and residents, it has been designated the University Parkway Development District. It\u2019s one of the largest development districts in the state.<\/p>\n

Both the city and parish have adopted zoning codes for the area that encourage mixed use development. Installation of water and sewer infrastructure is nearing completion along La. 467.<\/p>\n

Tammy Sharp is director of public information for the city of Leesville.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Tammy Sharp, Director of Public Information, City of Leesville The City of Leesville is in the heart of Vernon Parish, where Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center are also located. Leesville is the home for many military families, retired veterans, and civilians. 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