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Community History Archives

Community History Archive Partner

Mitchell County Public Library

Collinsville, Texas

Explore this community history collection to discover the people, places, organizations, and events of Collinsville.

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12Titles

Explore publications and collections from the past.

1900 to 2018Dates represented

See individual titles for available dates.

192,526Archive pages

Historical pages reported for this collection.

Explore local history

Discover the people, places, and stories of Collinsville, Texas.

Discover another side of Collinsville, Texas through newspapers and census records preserved in the Mitchell County Public Library's digital archive. Its twelve titles include material from 1900 to 2018. The collection also includes maps and atlases as well as local history resources.

You can open the archive using the link below.
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  • Selected titles

    Selected titles from Mitchell County Public Library include “Fire Insurance Maps” and “Collinsville Times”.

  • Free and open access

    No subscription or payment required.

  • Different views of the past

    A familiar name or event takes on another dimension in the newspaper coverage of its time, alongside the stories that mattered to the readers of that issue. A census entry offers one dated view of a household. Its recorded details can help you explore a family connection without proving identity from a name alone.

The reporting of earlier years offers a way to explore how events were understood as they happened and how local experiences became part of the historical record. A family story, a classroom project or curiosity about a familiar place can lead to a closer look at the community and the lives of earlier generations. Explore the archive online for free, without a subscription.

Explore the collection

Titles in this collection

Browse twelve titles and 192,526 digitized pages, with material from 1900 to 2018. Through a partnership with Advantage Archives, Mitchell County Public Library shares these sources from the past. Some years or items may be missing between the dates shown.

Follow a family connection or a question about the community through the titles below and the history they preserve.

Collinsville Times

160 pages from 1913 to 1918

Colorado City Record

117,428 pages from 1956 to 2018

Colorado County Citizen

134 pages in 1957

Colorado Record

34,736 pages from 1906 to 1938

Federal Census

4,242 pages from 1900 to 1910

Fire Insurance Maps

1,390 pages in 1901

Loraine Advertiser

32 pages in 2007

Mitchell County News

24,906 pages from 1931 to 1971

Permian Basin Oil History

1,136 pages in 1978

Record

7,174 pages from 1986 to 1988

Texas Ranger History

530 pages in 1901

Weekly Record

658 pages from 1905 to 1906

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Local History

Local History Resources

The digitization of these archives was made possible thanks to the support of the Mitchell County Public Library . These historical records provide a comprehensive look into the history of Colorado City and Mitchell County, capturing significant events, local stories, and the community's evolution over more than a century.

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About the Library

About The Mitchell County Public Library

The Mitchell County Public Library, located in Colorado City, Texas, offers free services to all residents of Mitchell County, neighboring counties, and visitors. The library boasts a collection of over 35,000 books, 2,000 movies, CDs, and audiobooks, alongside a vast selection of eBooks and downloadable audiobooks. Patrons of the library can utilize print and electronic reference resources, enjoy free Wi-Fi services, use the computers and internet, or participate in one of the library’s many events. The library is staffed by a friendly and professional team dedicated to serving the community's needs.

Mitchell County Public Library photo 1

Library History

The History Of The Mitchell County Public Library

The Mitchell County Public Library has long been a cornerstone of the community in Colorado City, Texas. Founded to provide educational resources and foster a love for reading, the library has evolved to meet the changing needs of its patrons. The library's mission is to enrich the lives of the community by providing access to a diverse range of materials, services, and information in a welcoming and responsive environment that promotes lifelong learning and a sense of community.

About the Community

About The City of Colorado City, Texas

Colorado City, Texas is a historic city located in Mitchell County. Founded in 1881, it has grown from a small frontier town into a vibrant community known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The city serves as a hub for the region's agricultural and oil industries. Colorado City is home to several historic landmarks, parks, and community events that highlight its unique character and community spirit.

Local History

Did You Know?

Did you know that Colorado City, Texas, played a significant role in the development of the Texas oil industry? The city was a key site during the early 20th century oil boom, which brought significant economic growth and development to the region. Today, Colorado City continues to celebrate its rich oil heritage through various local events and historical markers.

More ways to explore and share local history

Research Guidance

Read a report in its time and place

Bring a question about Collinsville, whether it begins with a family name, a neighborhood, or an event people remember. Search the newspaper titles shared by the Mitchell County Public Library for the details that connect a story to its time and community. The people and places in a report can make familiar local history more specific and worth exploring. Check nearby issues or another listed newspaper when available. Differences in timing and wording can add perspective to a story, while the issue date and surrounding articles help show what kind of account you are reading.

Where the available dates overlap, compare a place mentioned in a newspaper with the mapped setting. Check each source's date and purpose before connecting a street or boundary. A familiar place name can change meaning over time.

Keep the title, date, page, or item reference with each useful finding. Separate the words in a historical account from your interpretation, and note conflicting perspectives rather than choosing one too quickly. These notes help connect a local story to its evidence and show what remains uncertain.

Review collection titles

Community Partnership

Keeping local history a community resource

This community archive is made possible by the collaboration of the Mitchell County Public Library, its community, and Advantage Archives. Together, these partnerships preserve local sources and give people a way to explore, learn from, and share the history around them.

Advantage Archives covers ongoing archive hosting, storage, development, and maintenance. The institution and its community do not pay a subscription, seat license, annual support contract, or other recurring archive-service charge. Local history remains a community resource, not a subscription to maintain.

Would you like to see more of your community's history preserved and accessible? Start a conversation with your library, newspaper publisher, historical or genealogical society, museum, or school about the materials they would like to share and a possible partnership with Advantage Archives.

Learn about partnerships
Read All About It

Stories, research tips, and archive news

Read All About It connects archive research with the people and institutions preserving local history. Explore partner and community stories, project updates, research ideas, and perspectives on digitization, education, and working with primary sources. Use the articles as a starting point for your next question or a new way to share a discovery.

Newest published articles

March 18, 2025

It’s Your Community’s History, So Why Rent Something You Own?

We believe that history belongs to the communities where it was made - not locked behind paywalls or inaccessible due to budget restrictions. Subscription-based services and large content aggregators are generally more concerned with "content" and less concerned with the history that content contains. Their models typically involve a reoccurring charge for a plan that renews annually or licensing agreements with the library based on population served or circulation numbers. You are essentially Renting Access To YOUR History.
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