Region: Panhandle Plains
In central Coke County, the town was promoted as a town site in 1889 by L.S. Harris and R.E. Cartlege, Confederate veterans who named the site for Robert E. Lee. In 1891, the county seat moved from Haywick to Robert Lee, and most of the settlers from the former seat of government moved to the new community.
Recreational activities include facilities at E.V. Spence Reservoir a mile outside the city. Other activities include the nine-hole Mountain Creek Golf Course, county parks and seasonal hunting. Five birding sites in the area are listed on the Panhandle Plains Wildlife Trail map.