Lathrop was platted in 1867 as a stop on the Cameron Cutoff Branch of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad.

[6] In the early 1900s it was considered the "Mule Capital of the World" after the firm of Guyton and Harrington sold 180,000 mules and 170,000 horses to the British Army during World War I.

[9] The British had a formal contract for a remount station in Lathrop.

Lathrop is located on the south side of the intersection of Missouri routes 33 and 116.

[10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.79 square miles (4.64 km2), all land.

23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[14] Lathrop has had very successful sports teams throughout the 2017-2018 and 2018–2019 school year.

Residents of Lathrop tend to hold their athletic programs in a high regard.