It was named for Dr. A. H. Collins, an engineer and surveyor who first surveyed the land that became this community.

The name officially became Collinsville by June 1898 and it incorporated as a city in April 1899.

[8] The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, though its Kansas, Oklahoma Central and Southwestern Railway subsidiary, routed its line from Kansas to Owasso, approximately one mile west of Collinsville in 1899, to avoid crossing an additional stream.

An earlier community, known as Eli, had developed southeast but moved all their buildings closer to the railroad.

[8] An abundant supply of sulfur-free coal lay near the surface, which attracted fifteen hundred to two thousand miners.

Oil and gas production and zinc smelting boomed briefly during the first two decades of the 20th century.

24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[11][12] In its early years, Collinsville's economy was largely based on coal mining.

That industry declined during the 1920s and was replaced by agriculture as the mainstay of the local economy.

The Sallee Family Dairy started up in 1912, with local deliveries by buggy.

It is owned, edited, and published by Bill Johnston, a 54-year veteran of the media business.