NASHVILLE (AP) - The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is turning 50.

According to The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/NQGaSq ) the consolidated city-county form of local government was chosen by voters in an election on June 28, 1962. After elections, metro government came into being on April 1, 1963.

Since that time, two other Tennessee metro governments have been formed - Lynchburg-Moore County in 1988 and Hartsville-Trousdale County in 2001.

The National League of Cities says only 40 metro governments exist nationwide. Among them are Indianapolis, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia.

Metro Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said the consolidated government is a key to the city's economic prosperity.

"It's been a huge part of the recognition that we're able to do special things here," Dean said. It's really one of the first big steps that said Nashville had a forward agend a and looked to the future."

Phil Bredesen served two terms as mayor before going on to twice be elected governor of Tennessee.

"When you're trying to do complicated things, having one unit of government to deal with instead of two, it makes a huge difference," Bredesen said. "I do think it would be almost impossible to do today. The bottom line is, I think it's been wonderful for Nashville. Nashville has turned into a very successful, modern city here, and I think the metro government really does have a lot to do with that."

Memphis has twice tried and failed to form a metropolitan government. As recently as 2010, city residents voted soundly in favor of combining with Shelby County, but voters outside the city limits rejected a consolidation effort.

It took more than a single effort to form Metro Nashville. A charter commission recommended it in 1958, but the initial referendum a year later failed when county voters rejected it, although a majority o f city dwellers approved it.

Tennessean Chairman Emeritus John Seigenthaler recalled signs declaring "Russia has One Government" that contributed to the initial defeat.

Nashville attorney David Ewing, who is an avid student of the city's history and formerly worked for the Chamber of Commerce, said the government form is a model.

"It is the envy of many communities across the country, who still visit Nashville to figure out how we did it."