City Tour of Missouri City


In 1890, the land that now comprises Missouri City was advertised for sale in St. Louis Missouri and surrounding areas as "a land of genial sunshine and eternal summer." Despite all the efforts to appeal to settlers from the "north," the first actual settlers came from Arlington, Texas - between Dallas and Fort Worth - in early 1894. Soon after the arrival of the first group of settlers from the "north" in 1895, a paralyzing blizzard hit Missouri City. Up to 28 inches of snow covered the ground that Valentine's Day, and a number of the surprised and shocked newcomers gave up. Of those hardy souls who remained, many prospered through farming and ranching, and the little town on the southwest edge of Houston grew and changed. In the first group of settlers were W. Allen Robinson, his wife Susan (Wyman) and their seven boys and one girl. The Robinson land, purchased in February 1894, consisted of 80 acres located on the west side of the Blue Ridge Road and Adams Street. That home was a spacious two story house, with a large barn, smoke house, chicken house and smaller houses for the farm labor and household help. By the turn of the century, a depot had been built.

The site selected was near the point where today Texas Parkway (known also as Main Street, Blue Ridge Road, or Farm-To-Market Road 2234) crosses the tracks and changes it name to Pike Road. The first Missouri City station agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad was James Goodwin ("Uncle Jim") whose wife was Leona Robinson. The Goodwins build a home on Main Street. The Goodwin family came to Missouri City from Oakwood Plantation in Louisiana. Early Settlers to Missouri City included these Gentlemen who helped to forge the City's progress, and became the founding fathers of Missouri City.

Missouri City was a railroad shipping point for the Blue Ridge Oil Field and salt mine. It was on the railroad that some residents established a precedent for Missouri City residents that continues through today - they commuted to adjacent towns to work. Some residents worked at the Imperial Sugar Company in Sugar Land and would ride there from Missouri City for six cents. Missouri City was the first town in the county to make use of natural gas, this being brought in by pipeline in 1926. In the depression year of 1933, Missouri City registered a population of only 86. In 1940, the official U.S. Census showed Missouri City with 100 inhabitants and three businesses. What the village did have to offer, however, was a safe, comfortable place in whch to live, with high-quality schools close by. Over the years, as the automobile became more and more dependable, and highways improved, it became easier and more attractive for people to live in Missouri City while working in nearby Houston. Gradually, Missouri City evolved into a village of commuters - what is sometimes aptly called a "bedroom community," - a town where citizens live in safe and pleasant surroundings, but drive back and forth each day to work in Houston. Such advantages as these also quickly began to draw newcomers to Missouri City. The village that lay almost within the shadows of the skyscrapers of Houston could not avoid attracting notice.

In the mid-1950's rumors began to circulate that Houston was making plans to annex the community. Alarmed by the growing threat to the independence of their town, some of the leading citizens of Missouri City moved to forestall the annexation menace. The plan they adopted to do this was to incorporate Missouri City itself. This would put it beyond the grasp of Houston, since Houston could only annex unincorporated territory, and not another organized city. Following this plan, and as quickly as it could be arranged, an appropriate election was held in Missouri City. In this election, on March 13, 1956, voters approved the incorporating of their village as a City. Named to be its first Mayor was Robert A. Stallings. Also elected was a City Council consisting of T.R. Roane, O. W. Michaelis, Hampton C. Robinson, Sr., T.C. Myatt, and W. R. Sailer. H. C. Manford became the town marshal and Frank McGar, town secretary. For a City Hall, the newly elected officials took over a residence on Bull Lane, which they converted into a workable headquarters for the new city government. The second location of Missouri City Hall was a room at the old post office on Orchard Street.

In the early 60's, Fondren Park Subdivision in the Harris County portion of Missouri City was built, and in the late 60's, the Quail Valley Subdivision completely changed the face of Missouri City. The building boom had started, and people moved into Missouri City from all over the country during the 70's. The population of Missouri City was 4,136 in 1970 and grew 628% to 24,423 in 1980. By 1986, the population was 35,347. The 1990 census showed the population of Missouri City to be 36,176 and in April 1994 it was estimated at 41,275. As of March 2002, the population of Missouri City is 55,554! In 1970, ad valorem taxes were initiated, and today the tax rate is $0.54 per $100 of assessed valuation. In 1972, a sales tax was brought to Missouri City by the vote of its citizens. Missouri City became a Home Rule City in 1974 upon adoption of a Charter by its citizens. The Council-Manager form of government was chosen. There are currently seven Council members, including the Mayor who is the Chairman of the governing body and has a vote on all items of business. The terms of office for the Council-members are two years, staggered. The Mayor and two at-large council members are elected in the even numbered years and four single member district council members are elected in the odd numbered years., Under the Council - Manager form of government the City Council makes the policy, and a City Manager responsible to the City Council, carries out that policy in the day to day business of running the city.

Missouri City became a zoned city in 1981, and the City is proud of its progress in all areas. Completed in 1986, the seventeen acre civic/community center site contains the city hall, the municipal court/planning & inspections building, and a civic auditorium. Also included in this site is the Missouri City Branch of the Fort Bend County Library.


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Missouri City
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