A fundraising campaign launched this month for a planned bronze sculpture of world-famous circus clown Emmett Kelly Sr. in his Texas County hometown of Houston.
The sculpture honors the Houston native who became a circus star and entertained audiences in movies and on television. It will be installed on the east side of Lone Star Plaza in downtown Houston, at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Pine Street.
The statue will be about 5 feet tall, 6 feet wide and 5 feet long, said fundraiser organizers. The design features Kelly seated on a bench, allowing for interactive photo opportunities for visitors. Springfield-area artist James Hall, who has created many high-profile works across the state, has been commissioned to create the piece.
Organizers noted the site’s historical connection: The drugstore where Kelly once worked at the soda fountain still operates directly across the street. The park-like plaza setting, surrounded by a wrought-iron fence and native stone posts, was partially funded through the sale of engraved bricks. The venue hosts community events, including the Lone Star Farmers Market each Friday.
Downtown Houston Inc., one of the organizations spearheading the project, hopes the sculpture will serve as a high-profile, year-round tourism landmark. Organizers believe the attraction will bring more visitors to the community, generating additional commerce and sales tax revenue, while serving as a centerpiece for the annual Emmett Kelly Clown Festival held each April. Kelly’s daughter, Stasia, serves on the festival's organizing committee.
With this addition, Houston will join several other Missouri towns that have erected statues to recognize internationally famous native sons. Hamilton commemorated J.C. Penney last year, astronomer Edwin Hubble was recognized with a monument in Marshfield in April 2025, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn are memorialized in Hannibal and Gen. John Pershing is honored in his hometown of Laclede.
Donations for the sculpture are tax-deductible and can be mailed to Kelly Sculpture, P.O. Box 170, Houston, MO 65483. Checks should be made payable to Downtown Houston Inc. Donations can also be made online at downtownhoustonmo.org/donate.
