the town was surveyed in 1878 and named after quorndon in leicestershire, united kingdom. it was a railway town, part of the railway line being built from port augusta. the railway line from port augusta to quorn opened in 1879. it reached government gums (farina) in 1882, marree in 1884, oodnadatta in 1890 and alice springs in 1929. this railway line later became known as the "ghan line" or central australia railway.