Louis Houck isn’t a name many outside Missouri know, but in his day, he transformed the southeastern part of the state. A lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and railroader, Houck built hundreds of miles of track through the wilderness, helping towns grow, commerce flourish, and culture reach every corner of the region.
Joel Rhodes, executive director of The State Historical Society of Missouri, brings Houck’s story to life in his new biography A Missouri Railroad Pioneer, showing how one man’s vision helped shape both Missouri and the nation.