New Burnside

History

In 1878, New Burnside peaked in population at 1,200 when the railroad ran through the middle of the town. The population decreased gradually after the railroad was abandoned. More recently, the Tunnel Hill State Trail for bicycles was built along the abandoned line. The village was founded in 1872, and was a Cairo and Vincennes Railroad boom-town. Much of its founding was based on the same coal mining industry that grew Harrisburg and Carrier Mills, but slowly turned to an orchard-based economy by 1900. It was named after Civil War general Ambrose Burnside.

Geography

New Burnside is located in northeastern Johnson County. U.S. Route 45 passes through the east side of the village, leading northeast to Harrisburg and southwest to Vienna, the Johnson county seat. Illinois Route 166 has its southern terminus at US-45 and leads through the north side of the village. Marion is to the northwest via Routes 166 and 13. According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, New Burnside has a total area of , of which (or 99.24%) is land and (or 0.76%) is water. The village is east of the junction of Interstates 24 and 57.

Race & ethnicity