History
La Vergne: It's What You've Been Looking For!
Just because La Vergne celebrated its 36th anniversary in
the year 2008 doesn’t mean it’s a new town.
The history of the City goes back to the 1700’s when the
ancestors of some of La Vergne’s current residents settled
in the area to begin their new life. The man the city was
named after, Francois Leonard Gregorie de Roulhac de lavergne,
eventually moved to Tennessee from France. He lived on the
land, often turning his cattle onto what he reportedly termed
as "la vergne". Many historians have translated that
to mean "the green" -- as in green pasture -- and
say that’s how the town got its name.
Others however, say that the town was named La Vergne because
of Roulhac’s family name. However the name came to be, the
United States Post Office officially gave the city its name
the same day that Roulhac died in 1852.
In late 1862, as a result of a Civil War battle, most of
La Vergne was burned. During the war, both the Union and the
Confederacy held the City at one time or another.
La Vergne was first incorporated Feb. 28, 1860 but the
incorporation was rescinded in 1881; since the Civil War
-- no city officials had been elected and there weren’t
enough adults to let the town organize a Board of Mayor and
Alderman and town constitution.
From 1881 to 1958, La Vergne was a small farming community
with a population of under 1,000 people. What turned
La Vergne around and headed in its present direction was a
number of things including a public water system, the Men’s
Club and a genuine effort by community members to speak as
a group.
The City was re-incorporated in 1972 and Vester Waldron was
chosen as the first mayor of the City. Others who have served
as the town’s mayor include: A.C. Puckett, Jack Moore, Shirley
Winfree, Mike Webb, Sherry Green and Ronnie Erwin.
In 1990, the U.S. Census showed that the city had 7,499 people
living within the limits. In 1994, the number had grown to
11,088. A special election in 1998, showed 16,001 people in
the City. With the results of the 2000 Census, 18,687 people
were counted in the city. That’s 149% growth in the 1990s. A
special census in 2003, showed 21,265 people in town. Another
special census in 2006 showed 25,278 people in town. By the
2008 special census, there were 26,427 people in town.
With the population growth, and the good fortune of being in
the right location for business, La Vergne has become THE place
for business and industry to locate during the past few years.
Ingram, Bridgestone and other national and international
companies currently call La Vergne home.
La Vergne is centrally located in the country, being a day's
drive from approximately 75 percent of the population in the
U.S. Interstate 24 runs through the city and Interstates 65,
40 and state road 840 are within 10 miles from the city limits.
That, plus the city’s proximity to major urban areas, makes
it the place that residents and businesses want to call home.
From humble beginnings more than 200 years ago, La Vergne has
become one of the fastest growing cities in Tennessee and the
country. Located between Nashville and Murfreesboro, La Vergne’s
small-town feel with big city amenities offers everything anyone
could want. That’s why we say, "La Vergne: It’s What You’ve
Been Looking For!"
Historical facts:
Late 1700s-First residents settle in area which is to become
La Vergne.
1820-Roulhac family moved to La Vergne area.
1837-James B. Buchanan named postmaster at Buchananville
(what is to later by La Vergne).
1852-Rouhlac dies, Postmaster names post office the
"La Vergne Post Office".
1860-City first incorporated.
1862-At least seven Civil War-related battles/skirmishes
fought in the City.
1862-Most of city burned during Civil War.
1881-City incorporation rescinded.
1900-Two tornadoes rip through La Vergne, destroying
female academy, school for boys and more.
1904-First telephone in La Vergne.
1913-Telephone co-op formed.
1923-Electricity reaches La Vergne.
1945-Tennessee Farmer’s Co-op opens.
1959-Men’s Club organized.
1961-La Vergne Utility District organized.
1961-La Vergne Primary School built.
1963-La Vergne Lions Club organized.
1965-La Vergne Fire Department established.
1968-La Vergne calls to Smyrna no longer long distance.
1970-La Vergne Rescue Squad established.
1971-Firestone (later Bridgestone) opened.
1972-City incorporated, council elected, Vester Waldron
named first mayor.
1974-La Vergne Council increased to five members.
1976-Roy Waldron School built.
Late 1970’s-Senior Citizens Club established.
Late 1970’s-Library established.
1982-La Vergne Tennessee and La Vergne France twinned
as sister cities.
1986-89-La Vergne on-line with Metro Nashville sewer system.
1987-La Vergne name officially changed from one word to two
(La Vergne).
1988-La Vergne High School built.
1988-City changes charter to Aldermanic style.
1989-Property tax initiated.
1990-La Vergne population counted at 7,499.
1993-La Vergne Water Plant opened.
1994-La Vergne population counted at 11,088.
1996-La Vergne population counted at 14,275.
1997-Cedar Grove School built.
1998-La Vergne population counted at 16,001.
1999-Rock Springs School built.
2000-La Vergne population counted at 18,687.
2002-Rock Springs Middle School opened.
2002-New La Vergne Public Library opened.
2003-La Vergne population counted at 21,265.
2004-La Vergne Middle School opened.
2006-La Vergne population counted at 25,278.
2007-La Vergne Lake Elementary School opened.
2008-La Vergne population counted at 26,427.
2008-Current Post Office opened.
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