Originally incorporated as Dupontonia in 1959 (in reference to the DuPont rayon manufacturing facility located nearby), the city changed its name to Lakewood and reincorporated in 1961.

On August 5, 2010, voters within the city passed a referendum to dissolve the municipal charter and become part of the General Services District of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

Several leaders of the group "Citizens to Reform Lakewood" were named in the lawsuit.

A Davidson County Chancery Court Judge settled the litigation by ordering a new election be held March 15, 2011, on which date residents in Lakewood voted 458 to 447 to surrender their charter and merge services with Metro Nashville.

[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city, prior to dissolution, had a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2), all land.