In 1894, though still unincorporated, what would eventually become Springhill took the name "Barefoot, Louisiana" on the notions of a Mrs. Maxwell, who assigned the name based on her observations that many men in the community went to work without shoes.

[4] More recent mayors included Ed Shultz (1942–1954), Charles McConnell (1954–1958), Jesse L. Boucher (1958–1962), James Allen (1962–1974), M. A. Gleason, Jr. (1974–1978), Johnny D. Herrington (1978–1986 and 1995–2006), a brother-in-law of Boucher, James Curtis Smith (1987–1994), and Carroll Breaux, who assumed office on January 1, 2007.

Springhill's close association with the timber industry began in 1896 with the arrival of the Pine Woods Lumber Company.

The Pine Woods Lumber Company went out of business during the Great Depression, and the population of Springhill dwindled.

The construction of the paper mill greatly expanded the regional economic importance of Springhill and further cemented ties to the timber industry.

During 2006–2007, IP sold the wood products plant to its main rival, Georgia Pacific and liquidated its significant land holdings in the Springhill area.

The container division, often called the "box plant", remains the last remnant of International Paper in Springhill.

After budget cuts and consolidation, the school now enrolls ninth through twelfth- graders from all of northern Webster Parish.

The former campus of the Georgia Howell Elementary School, built in 1956, has been closed because of unsafe building conditions.