Cooke County vs. Coleman County
Life & Hunting Grounds
Today’s match-up compares the Red River valley north of Dallas with the premier hunting grounds of West Central Texas. Cooke County is a gateway to the state, known for its German heritage, historic depot, and a famous zoo. Coleman County is the "Hunting Capital of Texas," a land of mesas and lakes where the population swells during deer and dove season. One is defined by trade and tourism; the other by wildlife and water.
Cooke County (Population Approx. 41,000)
Cooke County sits on the Oklahoma border. Gainesville, the county seat, is rich in history, featuring a beautifully restored Santa Fe Depot and the Frank Buck Zoo, which has been delighting families for decades. The economy is diverse, ranging from manufacturing to equine industries. The community faces the pressure of DFW’s northward expansion, managing sprawl while trying to keep its distinct historical identity alive.
Coleman County (Population Approx. 7,700)
Coleman County is a sportsman’s paradise. Coleman and Santa Anna anchor a region famous for abundant wildlife, drawing hunters from across the nation. The landscape is rugged and beautiful, dotted with lakes like O.H. Ivie that attract trophy bass anglers. The community is resilient and rural, focused on maintaining its agricultural base and leveraging outdoor tourism to keep its small towns vibrant.
Why It Matters
Cooke County is the first impression of Texas for millions driving south on I-35. Coleman County is a steward of the state’s wildlife heritage. Both counties need infrastructure that supports visitors-whether they are tourists visiting a zoo or hunters heading to a lease.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the zookeeper in Gainesville and the hunting guide in Coleman deserve a government that supports their livelihoods.
In Cooke County, the growth is palpable. Open Primaries would allow the mix of new commuters and long-time residents to find consensus on managing development, rather than letting partisan primaries dictate the future. Ranked Choice Voting would help the community balance the needs of the equine industry with suburban expansion.
In Coleman County, the rural economy needs a champion. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the outdoor and agricultural communities to elect leaders who prioritize land conservation and water rights. It ensures that the Hunting Capital remains a destination for generations to come.
Did You Know…
The Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville (Cooke) was founded in 1930 and is named after the famous animal collector who was born there.
Coleman County is officially the "Hunting Capital of Texas" and also known for its "Santa Anna" mountain peaks.
Gainesville was the first city in Texas to establish a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp during the Great Depression.
Lake O.H. Ivie (partially in Coleman) has recently produced some of the largest bass in Texas history, known as "ShareLunkers."
Camp Howze in Cooke County was a massive WWII infantry training camp that trained thousands of soldiers.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Cooke residents love the historic charm of the brick streets, the family outings to the zoo, and the "Gateway" pride. Coleman locals love the thrill of the opening day of deer season, the best BBQ in the region, and the quiet beauty of the mesas.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Medal of Honor Host City Weekend (Gainesville): A patriotic celebration honoring recipients of the nation's highest military award.
Fiesta de la Paloma (Coleman): A massive dove hunting festival with cook-offs and music.
Depot Day (Gainesville): Celebrating the town's railroad history.
Great Santa Anna Turkey Bust: A unique community festival in Santa Anna.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records:
