Coke

Formed January 1, 1889 (240^th county)

Coke County (3,280), Robert Lee (1,028)

The Modern style of the 1956 courthouse makes it distinguishable in this small community.  It is located at the intersection of Texas State Highways 158 and 229 on what can be described as a town square.  Wyatt C. Hedrick and Harry Weaver planned this red/tan brick structure.  Three courthouses, all in Robert Lee, have served the county since its beginning on January 1, 1889 although Hayrick was the designated first county seat.  The county was cut from Tom Green County as the 240^th county.  Coke County was named for Richard Coke, United States Senator and Texas governor.  Robert E. Lee, Confederate general, provided his name to the county seat.  Lee County is also named for the General. 

The area of the county is 899 square miles.  It is 157 out of 254 in the state.  It ranks 218 out of 254 in population in the state.  It has a density of 3.6 persons per square mile making it 211 out of 254 in the state.  Coke County has 60.0% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 87 cuts the extreme southwest corner of the county from Sterling County, west, to Tom Green County, south.  United States Highway 277 enters the county in the top northeast corner from Runnels County and exits into Tom Green County.  The almost square shape of this county puts Robert Lee near the center.  Robert Lee is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 31.3% of the county population. 

Coke County government consists of a sheriff, a County Judge, and 4 Commissioners.  One District Court Judge serves Coke, Irion, Schleicher, Sterling, and Tom Green counties and One County Court Judge serves Coke County.  San Angelo sets in the county due south.  The county center is 6.8 miles Southwest of Robert Lee.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Nolan, Runnels, Tom Green, Sterling, and Mitchell counties.