European settlement in the area began in the early 1850s and the wider district was known as Smithfield based upon the Township established by John Smith.

The modern development of Craigmore started circa 1970s with the construction of State Housing Trust estates.

During 1975, the southeastern part of what is now Craigmore was built as a private development named Blair Park.

This development has made Craigmore one of Adelaide's longest suburbs by distance, totalling 3.75 kilometres parallel with Adams Road between Kakuna Crescent and Arthur Street.

In June 2010, Craigmore was finally given television reception through the erection of a tower on the corner of Uley and Adams Roads in Elizabeth Downs.

Prior to this date, one-half of the dwellings in Craigmore were within an ADSL blackspot and were required to rely on 3G, dialup, or satellite internet.

All three services terminate at the Smithfield and Elizabeth Interchanges, with train connections to Adelaide and Gawler.