Leander is the name of one of the small communities in the northwestern area of central Texas near Lake Travis and Highland Lakes. In reality, Leander was originally called Bagdad and was settled on July 17, 1882. The community was first settled around 1845 after the original settlers received land grants in exchange for their service in the Texas Revolution. Many of the original settlers lived in log cabins and were regularly attacked by the Indians. Many businesses in Baghdad, as it was then called, were established in the 1850s, with the first post office opening in 1858, after Texas Rangers arrived to protect the early settlers from Indians and their frequent raids. The Rangers built a large fort in the 1850s sleeping over sixty men, and during the Civil War, many Baghdad residents joined the southern forces and fought in the conflict. The town’s name was changed in 1882 to Leander, and the first public school was built on December 5, 1893.
In 1871, the citizens of Baghdad built a two-story stone building and the second story was used for meetings of the local Masonic order. The residents then formed a voluntary association to create a new school district, and a new school was built. The new school burned down in 1938, and students had to travel to Georgetown or Liberty Hill to meet state graduation requirements. In November 1938 a new school was built. Since the small town had been on the stage line from Austin to Lampasas years before, the town had grown accordingly, and the first church, the United Methodist Church, was established in 1860. In the early 1890s, it was he estimated Leander’s population to be 329 people, and since the railroad had built a railroad line one mile east of town, it grew until the Depression, when Leander’s population actually declined. Farming had been the main occupation for residents until the Depression, and afterward many young men joined the military and fought in World War II. By then, many churches had been built, including the Leander Church of Christ, Mary Margaret Catholic Church, and Leander First Baptist Church. Many highways were also built around this time, and after US 183 was built, residents began commuting to nearby Austin for work. Many new businesses were built at the same time, including the First State Bank of Leander and McFarland Grocery, and on January 21, 1978, the city of Leander was incorporated and Joe Bates was appointed mayor of the small town.
Today, Leander is a dynamic community, with a Chamber of Commerce, a golf course called Crystal Falls, a community theater, and a modern public library with Internet access and a coffee shop, along with numerous restaurants, bed-and-breakfasts, and more. lodging and lodging for visitors. The Leander Parks and Recreation Department has created several recreational activities for the whole family, including a concert series, movies in the park, and Liberty Fest. Some of the restaurants in and near Leander include Smoky Mo’s in nearby Liberty Hill, along with The O’Leander Café, Great Wall, and Moody’s, as well as a few Mexican restaurants and pizzerias, and numerous fast food outlets.
The city currently administers the Council-Manager form of government, and Leander’s population is estimated at just over 20,000 residents. Leander is in Williamson County, about 22 miles northwest of Austin. The city has grown rapidly since the 2000 census, when the population was just over 7,500, with a mixed racial makeup as well as an age-diverse group of residents. Although the majority of residents consider themselves white, at 83%, many other ethnicities call Leander home, and the median household income in Leander is just over $53,000 a year. Leander students attend Leander Independent School District schools, which include elementary, middle, and high schools.
The community of Leander was named for Leander “Catfish” Brown, a railroad official, and the town has a square area of 7.5 miles, with a population density of approximately 1,016 people per square mile. Leander’s elevation is approximately 978 feet, and part of the city is now in Travis County and Williamson County, as the city has grown dramatically in recent years. The city has four city parks, including Mason Creek Park, Devine Lake Park, Robin Bledsoe Park, and Benbrook Ranch Park. There are plenty of activities for everyone, especially seniors, and some of the senior activities include the active adult morning club and morning club day trips. In addition, the Baghdad Community Center offers many activities for seniors to meet and socialize.
Leander is now a driving town with many attractions, and also very close to nearby Austin. It is a very accessible community, being located near US 183 and State Highway 29, and will become even more accessible after the completion of the new commuter rail line that Capitol Metro has established between downtown Austin and Leander. Leander is a great place to visit, or even call home, so be sure to explore Leander when you’re in Central Texas!
