[2] Buckhorn is located at the site of the American Civil War Skirmish of Buckhorn Tavern,[3] fought on October 12, 1863, between General Phillip D. Roddey's Alabama Cavalry Brigade and a Union cavalry brigade commanded by General Robert Mitchell.

By tradition, the tavern took its name "Buckhorn" in 1858 when William L. Fanning killed a buck near the site and presented its antlers to the innkeeper.

[4] The Madison County Board of Education bought land on November 19, 1956, from Annie Bruce Walker Short to construct a school.

[citation needed] To accommodate the rapid growth of New Market and the school, additions have been made over a span of 20 years, including a new library/media center, 2 gymnasiums, the football stadium, a technology wing, new science classrooms and labs, a new dining hall, a music wing, and the front atrium.

Buckhorn High School offers a variety of extracurriculars, including a Performing Arts program with the Bands, Drama, and Choir, and sports with Dance, Cheerleading, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Wrestling, Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Bowling, Softball, Fishing, JROTC, Soccer, Archery, Cross Country, indoor and outdoor Track & Field, Women's Volleyball, and Winter Guard.