HISTORY & SIGNIFICANCE
• 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. Houston is the county seat of Texas County, Missouri’s largest county at 1,179 square miles.
LOCATION
• Houston is situated in the south-central portion of Missouri and sits at an elevation of 1,165 feet on the Ozarks plateau.
POPULATION
Houston ranks 234th in Missouri with a population of 2,090 (2017 census estimate). There are 961 households and 542 families in the city limits.
CLIMATE
• Temperature: Houston’s annual mean temperature is 55.3. The warmest months are July and August, which tie at 88 degrees. The coldest month is January, where the average temperature is 21 degrees.
PRECIPITATION
• Average annual precipitation is 44.97 inches. The rainiest month is May, averaging 4.96 inches.
TOURISM
• Lodging: The Lazy L Motel (417-967-1955) and Southern Inn (417-967 4591) are both inside the Houston city limits.
• Facilities for rent: Community building, Houston Area Chamber of Commerce fairgrounds, 417-967-2220 or chamberhoustonmo.com; Houston Rural Fire Station community room, 417-217-1747; University of Missouri Extension annex, 417-967-4545; Melba Performing Arts Center, www.melbaperformingartscenter.com or 417-260-0043.
• Information on events and points of interest is available at the Houston Visitors Center, which is staffed by local volunteers. It is situated at North U.S. 63 and Highway F (Walnut Street) in Houston. The telephone number is 417-967-2220.
EDUCATION
• Elementary and secondary education: As of the opening of the 2018-’19 school year, Houston School District had 978 students. There is an elementary school, middle school and high school as well as preschool. Visit www.houston. k12.mo.us or call 417-967-3024.
• Technical: Texas County Technical College offers Accelerated LPN to RN as well as Practical Nursing (LPN) courses. Visit texascountytech.edu.
• Drury University offers both bachelor’s and associate’s degrees year-round in Houston in four, eight and 16-week blocks. More information at www.drury.edu.
Read more about education on pages 24-26
LIBRARY
• The main branch of the Texas County Library system is located in Houston at 117 W. Walnut St. In addition to printed material, it offers downloadable audiobooks and ebooks. Free wifi access for computers and most devices is available. Hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Call 417-967-2258 or visit is texascountylibrary.lib.mo.us/. Branches are also located in Texas County at Cabool, Licking and Summersville.