Leander br/Williamson County, Texas br/30 34.599' N 97 51.133' W br/br/Text: Leander grew from the once thriving town of Bagdad, founded in 1854 (1 mi. W). when the Austin amp; Northwestern Railroad bypassed Bagdad in 1882, a new town was surveyed and named for railroad official Leander Brown (1817-89). Homes and businesses from the older community quickly moved to the new site along the rail line. The post office was brought here from Bagdad in 1882. The school started here in 1893 has grown into the largest school district in Williamson County. Originally in a rural area, Leander had boomed in recent years due to Highland Lakes development.