HISTORY
• The city of Houston, Mo. was founded in 1857 and named after American politician and soldier Sam Houston, who is best known for his role in bringing Texas into the United States.
SIGNIFICANCE
• Houston is the county seat of Texas County, Missouri’s largest county at 1,179 square miles.
LOCATION
• Houston is located in the south-central portion of Missouri, and sits at an elevation of 1,165 feet on the Ozarks plateau.
POPULATION
• Houston: 2,084 (2012 census estimate) with 935 households and 531 families in the city limits.
• Texas County: 26,008 (2013 census estimate)
CLIMATE
• Temperature: Houston’s annual mean temperature is 55.3. The warmest month is July and August, which tie at 88 degrees. The coldest month is January, where the average month is 21 degrees.
PRECIPITATION
• Average annual precipitation is 44.97 inches. The rainiest month is May, averaging 4.96 inches.
TOURISM
• Lodging: Two motels (Lazy L and Southern Inn) and a bed and breakfast (Pond Trail Farm Guesthouse).
• Exhibition: The community building at the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce fairgrounds is available for rent on North U.S. 63. Call the chamber at 417-967-2220 for more information. The community room at the Houston Rural Fire Station can be reserved by calling 417-217-1747. The new annex at the University of Missouri Extension in downtown Houston is available to rent by calling 417-967-4545.
• Information on events and points of interest is available at the Houston Visitors Center, which is manned by local volunteers. The telephone number is 417-967-2220. It is situated at North U.S. 63 and Highway F (Walnut Street) in Houston.
EDUCATION
• Elementary and secondary education: As of the opening of the 2016-’17 school year, Houston School District had 966 students. There is an elementary school, middle school and high school. Technical: Texas County Technical College offers technical classes locally.
• Colleges: Drury University offers classes at Cabool, Houston and Licking. Southwest Missouri University offers instruction from its West Plains campus. Southwest Baptist University operates a campus at Mountain View.
Read more about education on pages 24-25
LIBRARY
• The main branch of the Texas County Library system is in Houston at 117 W. Walnut St. Its telephone number is 417-967-2258. In addition to printed material, it offers downloadable audiobooks and ebooks. Free wifi access for computers and most devices is available. Hours are: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The web address is texascountylibrary.lib.mo.us/
RECREATION
• The City of Houston offers a variety of recreation venues. There are three parks: Emmett Kelly Park (east), West Side Park (center city) and Rutherford Park (west). Tennis courts and the municipal swimming pool are at West Side Park. Two pavilions are at Emmett Kelly Park and one at West Side Park. Reservations are available by calling 417-967-3348.
• The Houston Parks and Recreation Department organizes a variety of sporting events. Baseball, basketball, softball and soccer opportunities are available for children. A Mighty Mites program also is sponsored locally.
• Over the years, Houston has developed a trails program. The Village Trail circles the community. A trailhead is situated on Brushy Creek. Other sections include Emmett Kelly Park, along Spruce Street, Airport Road and Westwood Drive.
Read more about recreation on pages 36-38
TRANSPORTATION
• Highways: U.S. 63 runs north and south through the county. Highway 17 runs from northwest Texas County to the southeast corner of the county.
• Air travel: The Houston Memorial Airport is situated on the western side of Houston. Ten new hangars were constructed in 2014 as part of a $759,782 project that included a concrete apron, a parking lot, pilots lounge and shower. The Houston City Council announced plans in January to construct new hangars. The runway is 3,500 feet long.
• Public transportation: The City of Houston operates a transportation system. To request it, call 417-967-2013. Texas County Memorial Hospital has two Medivans for non-emergency transportation for area residents. The service is $5 per passenger for each one-way ride within the city limits of Houston. Outside the city limits of Houston, the charge is $1 per mile, one-way. Call 417-967-3311.
UTILITIES
• Natural gas: Not available.
• Propane businesses in Houston city limits: Rees Propane (417-967-4143) and Tuttle Utility Gas Inc. (www.tugasinc.com; 417-967-3327).
• Electricity: City of Houston (www.houstonmo.org; 417-967-3348) and Intercounty Electric Cooperative (www.ieca.coop; 573-674-2211).
• Cable TV: CableAmerica (www.cableamerica.com; 417-967-5571).
• Phone/Internet providers: CenturyLink (www.centurylink.com; 866-904-1817) and CableAmerica (www.cableamerica.com; 417-967-5571). The Texas County Rural Area Information Network (TRAIN) provides dialup and wireless Internet service (www.gotrain.org; 417-967-2900).
• Water: Service is provided by the City of Houston (www.houstonmo.org; 417-967-3348). Areas east and north of Houston are served by Public Water Supply District No. 2. Areas south and west of Houston are included in Public Water Supply District No. 3.
• Sewer: Houston is served by a new wastewater treatment plant, which was completed in 2011. At the same time, other improvements were completed throughout the community.
• Trash: Items are picked up on curbside on Mondays and Tuesdays. Trash service: Commercial and residential trash pick up is under contract to Waste Management. Here is the schedule: Monday — All of the area south of Hawthorn, west of U.S. 63 and south and west to the city limits. Tuesday — All of the area east of U.S. 63, south of Highway B and east and south to the city limits. Wednesday — All of the area north of Hawthorn, west of Bryan Street, south of Spruce Street and west to the city limits. Thursday — All of the area east of Bryan Street and west of U.S. 63, south to Hawthorn and north to Forrest Street.
• Recycling: Pick up is completed by the City of Houston. Items are picked up Mondays and Tuesdays. Call 417-967-2393.
WEBSITES WITH INFORMATION
• The Houston Herald, a multi-time award-winning newspaper, updates its website with breaking news, sports scores, obituaries and more each day at www.houstonherald.com. The Herald can be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the handle “houstonherald.”
• The City of Houston’s website at www.houstonmo.org, has city maps and information about city ordinances.
• The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce has been in business since 1906. Its website is www.houstonmochamber.com.