Newburg was founded in 1883 by St. Louis – San Francisco Railway as a division point for the railroad, where engines would stop for repairs and to change crews.

Easy access to the railroad made heavy industry a viable business.

[4] After World War II, the railway switched from coal to diesel engines, which could run much longer distances without refueling.

The Newburg stop was closed in the 1960’s, removing the roundhouse, turntable, and freight yards.

[4] Missouri University of Science and Technology in nearby Rolla has planned and implemented many projects in the city of Newburg.

The Community Theater, Gourd Creek Cave Archeological Site, Onyx Cave, and Ozark Iron Furnace Stack are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

[7] Newburg is situated near the former U.S. Route 66 on State Hwy T. A handful of structures which served tourism on Route 66 before it was bypassed by Interstate 44 some business structures still remain, including The Houston House, John's Modern Cabins (a ghost tourist court, now in ruins) and Vernelle's Motel (still operational, except for an on-site restaurant and filling station demolished when US 66 was widened in 1957).

The racial makeup of the city was 98.72% White, 0.21% Native American, 0.21% Asian, and 0.85% from two or more races.

Newburg lies in a transitional zone between warm continental and humid subtropical climates.