[12] Houston Siding was first listed on a blueprint map of the Alaska Railroad in 1917 as part of the growing mining operations in the area.

Other notable events in the city's history include: Houston, Alaska is home to the Gorilla Fireworks Stand along its Parks Highway, providing a wide range of pyrotechnic explosions and products to the public.

These stands are the only place to purchase fireworks legally in Southcentral Alaska, and provide entertainment to many residents and visitors of the state.

Taxes from fireworks sales at Houston's parks highway stands cover 10-15% of the city fire department's budget.

[18] In 2014, Alaska voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana and its retail sale.

However, local governments were given the right to ban commercial grow operations or pot sales within city limits.

[20] The mayor of Houston, Virgie Thompson, believed that cannabis excise and sales taxes could cover expenses for a new city police force.

[21] Houston issued the first limited grow room license in the Matsu Valley to Lacey and Ron Bass in 2016.