There were eight special elections to the United States House of Representatives in 1897 during the 55th United States Congress, which began on March 4, 1897. None of the special elections in 1897 were during the 54th United States Congress, which ended March 3, 1897.

Missouri's 1st congressional district is in the eastern portion of the state. It includes all of St. Louis City and much of northern St. Louis County, including the cities of Maryland Heights, University City, Ferguson and Florissant. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+27, it is the most Democratic district in Missouri. Roughly half of the district's population is African American.