city, seat (1811) of Rutherford county, central Tennessee, U.S., on the West Fork Stones River, about 30 miles (50 km) southeast of Nashville. Settled near the end of the American Revolution and originally named Cannonsburgh, it was established in 1811 on a land tract donated by a Revolutionary War soldier, Colonel William Lytle, and named for a friend, Colonel Hardy Murfree. From 1819 to 1825 Murfreesboro served as the state capital. One of the most bitter encounters of the American Civil War took place 3 miles (5 km) northwest of the city (December 31, 1862–January 2, 1863), in which Union forces under General William S. Rosecrans won a strategic victory over Confederates under General Braxton Bragg. Stones River National Battlefield preserves the site of the engagement.
Dairy and beef cattle are raised in the area, which is also noted for Tennessee Walking Horses (see photograph![Tennessee Walking Horse stallion with dapple-gray coat.[Credits : © Scott Smudsky]](http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/07/1307-003-846DBB36.gif)
). Insurance, food processing, and the manufacture of clothing, boats, and appliance parts are also important to the city’s economy. Middle Tennessee State University (1911) is located in the city. Cedars of Lebanon State Park and J. Percy Priest Lake are north of the city. The geographic centre of the state is marked by an obelisk 1 mile (1.6 km) from the university campus. Cannonsburgh Village is a reconstructed pioneer village. The International Grand Championship Walking Horse Show is held annually in August. Inc. 1817. Pop. (1990) 44,922; (2000) 68,816.
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