Which city would you rather have change its name?

[beaver2.0]

Neither should change their name.

But if I had to choose I'd go with Columbus because it's further away and a change is less likely to confuse me.

[beaver2.0]

Wait, Leesburg was named in 1758.  Robert E. wasn’t even alive when it was named so why would it be renamed? 

[beaver2.0]

Wait, Leesburg was named in 1758.  Robert E. wasn’t even alive when it was named so why would it be renamed?  

Leesburg is named after Revolutionary War general Lighthorse Harry Lee. Not surprised BRTD hates American independence.

It's actually named after Thomas Lee in particular who was a colonial governor of Virginia. Remember, Leesburg was named in 1758 - Light-horse Harry would have been 2 years old at the time and the War of Independence still nearly two decades away.

Either way, it's not even the objectionable Lee.  Obviously most Lees did some bad things in the settling of Virginia but if they are somehow so evil we need to rename the town then we'll need to rename half the towns in Virginia.

Plus I don't get renaming towns.  The names get a life of their own.  When I talk about Leesburg I'm not referring to a guy named Lee.  I'm referring to the town that happens to be named for him.  The town name is a way to refer to the collection of people and houses that make the town, not the man it is named for.

[beaver2.0]

Leesburg because Colombus is a decent name for a city while I think VA can do better than 'Leesburg.' Also I believe Leesburg is much smaller, so changing its name should confuse less people.

Do better how?  I don’t understand why a town named for a prominent family is somehow not up to par.

[beaver2.0]

Leesburg because Colombus is a decent name for a city while I think VA can do better than 'Leesburg.' Also I believe Leesburg is much smaller, so changing its name should confuse less people.

Do better how?  I don’t understand why a town named for a prominent family is somehow not up to par.

Do better in the sense that Leesburg just isn't a nice name for a city.

Ah I see what you mean.  Personally I have the opposite opinion.  Columbus feels very generic while Leesburg is a reference to past local grandees.