History of Oran

Oran is a city in Scott County, Missouri.  The population was 1,264 at the 2000 census. 

In 1840, a small settlement in Southeast Missouri became known as Sylvania.  It was officially surveyed under the name of Sylvania on July 9, 1869. 

On August 23, 1882, the name was changed from Sylvania to Oran when a new plat of the town was filed with the state.  The name change had to occur because Missouri already had another town by the name of Sylvania.   

The name, "Oran", was chosen by a returning sea captain, Ward L. Smith, who had spent time in Oran, Algeria, Africa during the Crimean War. 

In 1887 Oran had a population of 417 and only four businesses.