Metro Nashville's 60th Anniversary

When the voters of Davidson County and the city of Nashville voted to merge the city and county governments in 1962, they recognized that they were taking a bold step. The supporters of city-county consolidation saw this as a progressive step for efficiency and growth due to the fact that the city and county governments had many duplicated services.

The City County merger of Nashville and Davidson County was the fourth such merger in the United States. Nashville and Davidson County had voted against consolidation in 1958. The 1962 charter was written by a commission made up of 5 members from the county and 5 from the city, 8 of which had served on the 1958 commission. This new commission worked to make sure that all parts of the city and county were represented in the new Council with 40 members. Having 35 councilmanic districts along with 5 at-large seats in the council assured the voters that they would have access to local government. Commission members Z. Alexander Looby and Dr. George S. Meadors, were well-known leaders in the African-American community and they strongly supported consolidation believed that the merger would bring economic growth and additional job opportunities for all Nashvillians, regardless of race.

The new Metropolitan government became a reality on April 1, 1963, when the first Metro Council, Mayor, and Vice Mayor were sworn into office. The 1962 charter also gave more citizens the opportunity to participate in the governmental process through service on Metro's boards and commissions. It has stood the test of time. It has stood the test of time and the future is bright due to a bold decision made by the voters in 1962.

To learn more about initiatives to help celebrate the consolidation of Nashville and Davidson County, its history, growth and more, e-mail [email protected].

After years of little activity due to the Great Depression and World War II, the League of Women Voters reorganized in 1948 under the leadership of Molly Todd. The group quickly became engaged in political issues in Nashville and Davidson County, conducting research on government and taking positions on issues of importance to the city and county. All of Nashville's women who are active in politics today, whether by holding an elected office or being an activist or community organizer, owe these women a debt of gratitude.