The History of New Burnside High School
New Burnside (populaton 242) is located in the far-southern portion of Illinois in northeastern Johnson
County. The town is situated about 15 miles southeast of Marion and 25 miles southeast of Carbondale. U.S.
Route 45 is the main roadway leading to and from New Burnside while Illinois Route 166 gets its start in town. Pond
Creek flows through town. The Conrail Railroad has tracks that travel through New Burnside as well.
The history of New Burnside and its high school is in need of research. A brief history of the town
of New Burnside can be viewed at http://www.nostalgiaville.com/travel/Illinois/newburnside/new%20burnside%20il.htm. Our guess is that New Burnside had a school in place by the late 1800s. It is probable that a high
school was established by the late 1800s or early 1900s. Our best guess is that New Burnside High School served
the community for several years. It may have been in the late 1940s, possibly even later, that New Burnside High School
closed her doors.
After its' use as a high school, the school building was used as a grade school for kids from New Burnside
and the neighboring towns of Simpson and Ozark. It incorporated grades 4-8. It was discontinued as a grade school
in the early 1990's. The New Burnside High School building was still standing as recently as 2001.
The New Burnside kids now attend school in Vienna.
New Burnside High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
late 1800s / early 1900s
Year closed: 1949?
Consolidated to:
Vienna High School
New Burnside HS team nickname: unavailable
NBHS team colors:
unavailable
School Fight Song:
unavailable
