La Vergne celebrates 50 years as a city

The city of La Vergne is celebrating 50 years since its incorporation this year with a series of events marking the historic occasion. City officials kicked off the celebrations with a reception at City Hall to celebrate the incorporation anniversary on Feb. 1, 1972. The city had previously been incorporated from 1860 to 1881, but population losses following the Civil War saw the city lose its charter for several decades. Since its reincorporation in the 1970s, La Vergne has seen its population grow from 2,800 to more than 41,500. During the celebration, State Rep. Mike Sparks presented a proclamation signed by the Rutherford County state delegation and a plaque signed by Gov. Bill Lee congratulating the city on its milestone. Upcoming events scheduled as part of the year-long festivities include a special issue anniversary coin, a community picnic, a block party, the opening of a time capsule, a community dance, a fun run, and the publication of a cookbook with recipes collected from the local community.