In 1953 the Texas State Historical Survey Committee was created by the Texas Legislature as a state agency for the purpose of providing leadership and coordinating services in the field of historical preservation and in 1973 was redesignated as the Texas Historical Commission.  The Texas Commission furnishes leadership and services to the County Historical Commissions, which are made up of at least seven residents of the county for the purpose of initiating programs for the preservation of the historical heritage of the county and are appointed by the Commissioners Court.  The county commissions' purposes are to carry out a continuing survey of the county to determine the existence of historical buildings and other historical sites, private collections of historical memorabilia, and other historical features of the county; to erect historical markers, monuments, and medallions; to purchase objects and collections of objects of any kind which are historically significant to the county; and to prepare, publish, and disseminate, by sale or otherwise, a history of the county.

     The Coleman County Historical Survey Committee was organized by County Judge Frank Lewis and had its first meeting on February 16, 1963 in his office.  He appointed Doris Miller as chairman, James Padgitt, vice-chairman, and Bex Cox, secretary. The first members were Mrs. J. A. B. Miller, Milton Autry, J. A. Gafford, Dr. M. D. Mann, W. C. Gay, LeRoy Stockard, Jim Robin, W. A. Powell, and Mrs. C. D. Bruce.  At the first meeting there was much discussion and research done on Camp Colorado.  Lists of other historical places were compiled.  During her first two years, Doris created a lot of interest and did a lot of work for the Texas Historical Foundation (a private sister organization of the Texas State Historical Survey Committee which financed the activities of the Survey Committee).

     On January 16, 1965, Mrs. Maurine Burroughs was appointed chairman of the Committee and Ben Cox remained as secretary.  Work continued as much history was discussed, medallions were sought for appropriate places and tours to historical places were held.  At the March 17, 1966 meeting, Ben Cox resigned as secretary and LaJuan Sneed was appointed as secretary-treasurer and has remained so until the present time.

     In January 1969, Mrs. C. D. Bruce was appointed chairman.  The work of preservation continued under her with her intense interest in the history of the county - she especially wanted to gather material to establish archive for the county.  In January 1974, Hurschell Dunn was appointed chairman.  As the county committee continued to work, there were changes in the state program and the name was changed to the Coleman County Historical Commission.  Mrs. Bruce was again appointed chairman in February 1975 and served until January 1977 when Doris Miller was again appointed chairman.  In the meantime, the new County Judge, Pete Skelton. continued the appointments and interest in the commission.

     On January 29, 1981, Ralph Terry was appointed chairman and the work continued with the focal point
being the writing of a history book of the county and its people.  This has been a tedious, challenging project, but Ralph has devoted much time and energy to it as you well see.

     Other long time members over the years include: Glynn Mitchell, Jake Miller, Phil Burroughs, Arnold Allcorn, Mrs. John Hunter, Mrs. C. A. Crump, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jameson, Dale Herring, Mrs. Maynard Gaines, Mrs. Bobby McMinn, Mrs. Paul Golson, Onnie Edens, Bob Griffis, R. G. Hollingsworth, Frank Alexander, L. H. Griffith and Walter Gann.  Current members include Glynn Mitchell, Mrs. C. D. Bruce, Mrs. Robert See, Doris Miller, Maurine Burroughs, Mrs. John Hunter, Ann Watson, Nan Markland, Steve Autry, Sarah Gardner, Anita Tomlinson, Judia Gaines, Doris Williams and Vena Bob Gates.