Houston is a city in Texas County, Missouri, United States.

[7][8] During the Civil War, Houston was sometimes defended by units of the 5th Missouri State Militia.

[9] The Arthur W. and Chloe B. Cole House, Houston High School, and Houston Ranger Station Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Kelly was born December 9, 1898, and as a young child he and his family moved to a farm in Houston from his birthplace of Sedan, Kansas.

[12] While living in Kansas City, Kelly began working for carnivals and circuses and trained as a trapeze artist.

In August 1920, Kelly returned to his adopted hometown of Houston, Missouri where he appeared as a "cartoonist and comedy specialist" at the town's annual "Old Settlers Reunion".

Circus and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Kelly took the character to Hollywood where he appeared in numerous films and on network television programs and advertisements.

[14] Nineteen years later Kelly returned to Houston for a final time when Governor Kit Bond recognized Houston's former resident by declaring October 9, 1975 as "Emmett Kelly Day" in Missouri.

[15] Although the festival ended its original 21-year run in May 2008, it returned in April 2022 when Kelly's daughter, Stasia, was presented with a key to the city.

[17] On May 1, 1996, a bust of Kelly was dedicated in the "Hall of Famous Missourians" at the state capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri.

[19] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.64 square miles (9.43 km2), all land.