Missouri City, Texas
Land in Missouri City in Fort Bend County, was once advertised in St. Louis, Missouri, in hopes of attracting settlers from the north. Today, this sleepy bedroom community with an approximate population of 52,913 remains safe and affordable, offering residents an unparalleled quality of life. The recreation department operates a state-of-the-art community/recreation center and maintains numerous city parks with lakes or waterways stocked with fish, including American Legion Park, Mosley Park and Independence Park. Local students are lucky enough to attend schools within the Fort Bend Independent School District. In 2002, there were 73 National Merit Semifinalists in the district and it was named one of the top 100 school districts in the nation for a Fine Arts education. While Missouri City enjoys a small-town atmosphere, the city is conveniently located near such major metropolitan areas as the Galleria, the Summit and the Houston Museum District. State Highway 6 East will one day become a part of The Grand Parkway, Houston’s outermost loop system - a development that will make Houston even more accessible to Missouri City residents. Nearby Fort Bend County attractions include the Fort Bend County Fair and Livestock Show, the largest county fair in Texas attracting nearly 200,000 visitors annually; the Fort Bend Museum; and the George Ranch Historical Park. The Fort Bend Challenger Center is a living memorial to the seven Challenger astronauts who died in 1986.