In the summer of 1856 Major Van Dorn in the United States Army established Camp Colorado on Jim Ned Creek, in what is now Coleman County. Some remains of the stone and wooden buildings of this post still exist. Major Van Dorn had a detachment of the Second Calvary there for two or three years. In 1860, before the Civil War, Capt. E.K. Smith commanded there. The presence of this garrison attracted a few settlers, though they made no permanent improvements. J.E. Mc Cord, later a banker and prominent citizen of Coleman City, was lieutenant of a Ranger company posted at Home Creek during 1860. Camp Colorado was abandoned after the Civil War.
* Text taken from www.colemantx.org.
Surrendered as U.S. outpost beginning Civil War. Became part frontier defense line from Red River to Rio Grande. Headquarters first Texas Mounted Rifles 1861 and Texas Frontier Regiment 1863. Manned by troops and Rangers in state and C.S.A. service to war's end. Valuable duty performed while patrolling and scouting to curb Indian raids and in rounding up draft evaders, deserters. Camp life difficult with constant peril of Indian attack, shortage food, ammunition, supplies and horses. Located 12 miles northeast. A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy; Erected by the State of Texas 1963.
Originally established on the Colorado River by the United States Army as a protection for the frontier against hostile Indians; Moved in August, 1856, to this site; Abandoned by Federal Troops February 26, 1861; The site became the property in 1870 of Henry Sackett (1851-1928), who built his home here in 1879; From here he, with Maltby's Rangers, in 1874, pursued the bands of Big Foot and Jape, Comanche chiefs, and defeated them.
Text taken from the Historical Marker at Camp Colorado
