Connell History
Connell was first settled in the mid-1800s by pioneer families who farmed the soil, raised sheep, cattle, and horses, and went on to build a community. By 1901, the Northern Pacific Railroad had firmly established Connell as a town—named for one of its trainmen—and was incorporated in 1910.
Throughout the early 20th century, Connell’s agriculture-based economy thrived, and other businesses followed. In the 1960s and 70s, agriculture took an even more prominent economic role with the founding of a potato processing plant now known as Lamb Weston Foods. The local economy continued to prosper with the expansion of the North Franklin School District and the addition of the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center.
Throughout the early 20th century, Connell’s agriculture-based economy thrived, and other businesses followed. In the 1960s and 70s, agriculture took an even more prominent economic role with the founding of a potato processing plant now known as Lamb Weston Foods. The local economy continued to prosper with the expansion of the North Franklin School District and the addition of the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center.