General Information
Founded in 1876 on Hords Creek, area of rolling, grassy plains and wide bottom lands. A typical frontier settlement, first store hardly completed before a cemetery was laid out for loser in cowboy gunfight. Today seat of Coleman County. Area still devoted to large scale ranching; additional income from oil, natural gas, limestone, and high-grade glass sand from Santa Anna Mountain eight miles southeast of the city. Coleman lies on U.S. 84, a segment of the Ports to Plains Highway connecting the state's heartland to coastal ports. Coleman, Texas is rich in natural resources which have given life to a diversified economy based on farming, ranching, coal, oil and gas production and varied industry. Yet Coleman is richest of all in its abundance of water. The community, county seat of Coleman County, is surrounded by the refreshing waters of six major lakes. Lake Coleman, Ivie Reservoir, Lake Scarborough, Memory Lake, Lake Santa Anna and Hord's Creek. Lake O.H. Ivie is currently the hottest black bass fishing lake in Texas. Private lakes add to the allure of natural beauty and recreational pleasure. Each lake offers a distinctive setting for everything from exciting water sports to the quiet contemplation of nature. Coleman County also offers a wealth of frontier heritage. Named for Robert M. Coleman, aide-de-camp to General Sam Houston, the county contains several sites that testify to its historical prominence. Well-preserved artifacts still remain from Camp Colorado, the area's earliest outpost. At the foot of the historic Santa Anna mountains lies a pioneer cabin a Registered U.S. Museum. Additional points of historical are the early towns of Trickham and Voss. Several of Coleman's older homes have been restored, including the Blair house, and official Texas Historical Landmark. Business and Industry
The business climate in Coleman is as attractive as its ideal year-round weather. Foremost is the friendly and cooperative spirit that characterizes the area's labor force. Coleman's fine municipal services, transportation facilities and abundant energy resources serve as additional incentives for business development
Manufacturing plants in Coleman produce a variety of quality products for Texas and the nation. A sampling includes, filters, heavy duty truck and recreational vehicles, grill guards, leather goods, and plastic fabrication. With production active in all sections of the county, oil and gas ranks with ranching as one of Coleman's most prominent industries
Recreation
In addition to the recreational riches of area lakes, Coleman presents a showcase for outdoor activities. Also known as the "Hunting Capital of Texas." the area is home to ample populations of deer, turkey, ducks, dove and quail. The plentiful wildlife is also a boon for non-hunting nature lovers. Coleman's City Park, located on the scenic banks of Hord's Creek, offers picnic facilities under majestic shade trees, a western museum, Disk Golf, tennis courts, a recreation center with Olympic-size swimming pool and playground equipment. Noted for its tough stock and talented cowboys, Coleman's PRCA approved rodeo is held annually in June. Other competitive events include one of the nation's largest county livestock shows, County 4-H Horse Shows and the Coleman County Fiesta de la Paloma and Dove Cook-off Rounding out Coleman's recreational bounty is a Country Club that features club facilities swimming pool and a 9-hole golf course. Farming and Ranching
Endowed with some of the state's richest grass lands, Coleman County produces outstanding herds of commercial and purebred cattle, horses, sheep, goats and hogs. In fact, Coleman is the fourth largest wool-producing county in Texas. Approximately 50,000 to 75,000 head of cattle are marketed annually at the Coleman Livestock Auction. The fertile soils and ideal climate of the Coleman area make farming one of the area's biggest businesses. Cotton, wheat, oats, barley and grain sorghums are raised throughout the county. Education and Culture
Just as its natural bounty, Coleman considers its people an important resource. That is why education plays a significant role in the life of the community. In addition to a new elementary and middle schools, Coleman has built a modern high school to prepare students equally well for higher education or entry into the labor market upon graduation. Cultural institutions are also an important force in and around Coleman. They range from the Coleman Public Library to the Coleman County Museum , There is several civic clubs, including Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis.
