As the dust settles and the last bricks are cleared, the landscape of Leesburg, Florida, will forever be altered. The historic Lee School building, which once stood as a pillar of education and community service, has been demolished. Within a few weeks all that will remain are the memories of the school that served so many in our community.

A bulldozer stands where the once historic Lee School once stood. Photo Credit – Matthew Gaulin)

Lee School’s storied history began in 1915, housing grades 1 through 12. It functioned as the primary educational institution until 1918 when the North building was completed, subsequently becoming Leesburg High School. The Lee School then transitioned into an elementary school, continuing its service the community until 1974. This period also saw the school double as a community center.

(Demolition started a few months ago. This photo taken just 1 month ago show’s the building still standing. There is nothing but rubble now.)

In 1974, the school was repurposed into the Lee Adult Education Center which became a beacon of second chances for Lake County residents who had not completed their high school education. For several decades, the building provided opportunities for countless individuals to obtain their diplomas, fostering personal growth and new beginnings. This noble mission continued until the mid-2000s when operations began to wind down, and the facility was eventually closed around the time of the recession in 2008.

(A haunting sign that still stands as a lone reminder of what used to be one of Leesburg’s most proud school’s in the early 1900s. Photo Credit – Matthew Gaulin)

Despite never being truly abandoned, years of neglect took their toll, rendering the structure structurally unsound. The decision to demolish the Lee School building was met with heavy hearts, but it was necessary due to the extensive damage that had accumulated over the years.

As we bid farewell to this iconic landmark, we remember the countless students who walked its halls, the dedicated teachers who imparted knowledge, and the community members who found support and growth within its walls. The legacy of Lee School will live on in the memories of those who were touched by its presence, and its impact on the community will not be forgotten.

(It appears a housing development of some kind will replace the historic Lee School at some point in the future.)

While the physical structure may be gone, the spirit of Lee School endures in the lives it changed and the history it shaped. There have been rumblings about what is to replace Lee School. Apartments, Town Homes and other ideas have been floated around but it appears to be a housing development of some sort which will utilize this now massive plot of vacant land. When we find out more information we will pass it along.