Mrs. J. A. B. Miller Public Library Building

The Coleman these clubwomen built for had grown up fast. A private school opened in 1879 with Anna Miles as teacher, and a public school followed three years later. J. J. Callan's Coleman Voice, founded in 1881, competed with Will Hubert's Coleman Democrat until the two merged as the Democrat-Voice in 1906. The Santa Fe missed the town by five miles, but a spur line reached it by 1886. The population climbed from 1,362 in 1904 to more than 3,000 in 1912 as school lands were sold to ranchers, and after 1900 the farm economy turned to cotton.

What the plaque says

Financed by the Self-Culture Club and other local women's organizations, this structure was erected in 1909 to provide a meeting place for the groups and to house the city's library collection. In 1924 when money was no longer available to pay a librarian, Mattie B. (Mrs. J. A. B.) Miller (1874-1969), pioneer ranch woman and civic leader, offered her services. For 41 years, as an unpaid librarian, she dedicated her time and resources to the project. In 1968 when the city took over operation, the library was named in her honor. (1977)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Lake Brownwood State Park — 23 mi
  A CCC park on a reservoir that filled in a single flood before its dam was done, with stone cabins, a hilltop dance pavilion and a grand staircase climbed by dancers arriving by boat.

More markers nearby

• Western Trail Marker — steps away
• Robert M. Coleman — steps away
• Colonel James E. McCord — 1.1 mi
• Camp Colorado, C.S.A. — 1.1 mi