No one knows exactly when or where the original idea for such an organization was conceived. However, it was discussed from time to time during the early 1980s by Charles Finsley and a few of his "fossil volunteers" at the former Dallas Museum of National History (currently Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas, Texas). In 1984, when work on the reconstruction of the mammoth got underway and the volunteer group was enlarged, these discussions intensified. After many late-night planning sessions, most of which were at Austin's Barbecue following work on the mammoth, a decision was made to go for it.

An inaugural meeting was scheduled for November 14, 1984 and invitations were mailed to everyone we though might be interested in such an organization. Then a last-minute decision was made to prepare a fossil exhibit for the Dallas Gem and Mineral Society Show, which was held in Fair Park on November 10-11, 1984. This proved to be a wise move, since many of the people who later became charter members of the Society first learned of it through this exhibit.

The response to the November 14 inaugural meeting was overwhelming. Attendance was over 100, with 35 people joining the Society during this meeting. A temporary slate of officers and committees, made up primarily of the founding members, was introduced. This temporary slate was later elected unanimously for the year 1985.  The January 9, 1985 meeting was established as the cut-off for charter membership. By that date, charter membership totaled 103, and the Dallas Paleontological Society was off and running. Membership in 1985 reached 119 by year-end, and has increased steadily each year since and averages about 300.

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