The History of Burnt Prairie High School
Burnt Prairie (population 58!) is
located in southeastern Illinois in northwestern White County. In terms of town size Burnt Prairie is #1,297 out 1,313 Illinois
towns. It is actually the 14th smallest incorporated town in Illinois when you consider "ties". The main road
through town is White County Highway 20. Interstate Highway 64 sits just north of Burnt Prairie and U.S. Route 45 runs
just 4 miles to the west. A branch of the Fred Creek runs to the south of town. Carmi is located about
12 miles southeast of Burnt Prairie and, more interestingly, Bone Gap is just 20 miles (as the crow flies,
naturally) northeast of Burnt Prairie.
The history of the town and its high school has limited information available. There is only
one mention of Burnt Prairie High School on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org). The boys basketball team won two District titles with the last one coming in 1940-41. If you have read many
of the write-ups regarding schools in towns of this size, you will probably agree that Burnt Prairie High closed
around 1948.
The kids of Burnt Prairie were then sent ot Mill Shoals to continue their high school education. Mill
Shoals later became Mill Prairie High School and was later deactivated as well. The kids of Burnt Prairie now
attend Fairfield High School.
Burnt Prairie High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s
Year closed: 1948?
School nickname: unavailable
School colors: Dark Blue & White
School Fight Song: unavailable
