Conran was settled around 1896. The town was named after Matt Conran, one of the principle people responsible for getting the St. Louis and Memphis Railroad to go through the area where the town would be built. In 1904 the first school building was completed. In 1905, a stave and saw mill was built to process the abundant timber in the area. A cotton gin located there by 1907, and in 1908 Conran became incorporated.
On Easter Sunday, 1924, a cow wandered onto the tracks in front of an oncoming train. The train derailed and one car filled with matches caught fire and burned most of the train and the train depot.
In 1921 Highway 61 was built through the area, it bypassed Conran and took a shorter route to Portageville, this spelled the beginning of the end for the small community. In 1933 the railroad station was replaced with a flag station, and by 1940 it lost its incorporated status having less than 150 residents.
In 1921 Highway 61 was built through the area, it bypassed Conran and took a shorter route to Portageville, this spelled the beginning of the end for the small community. In 1933 the railroad station was replaced with a flag station, and by 1940 it lost its incorporated status having less than 150 residents.
Attempted Murder
WWII POW Camp In Conran
There was a prisoner of war camp located in Conrad just off of Highway 61. The camp was made up of 450 prisoners from Germany and Austria that were brought to the bootheel to assist with cotton picking and other agriculture related jobs.