Woodburn is an unincorporated community in Bunker Hill Township, Macoupin County, Illinois, United States.

The current size and sleepy nature of the village of Woodburn belie its rich history.

A few Native Americans were seen hunting as late as 1830, but European settlement and a bad snowstorm that killed many deer drove them west.

The name of the eventual town that would spring up in that area is said to have come from someone watching the Wood brothers' camp fire burning.

[4] In 1833, the survey of a state road from Alton to Springfield (passing through the Woodburn area along that old Indian trail) was completed.

As the town grew more prominent, this growth resulted in the establishment of a number of new businesses, industries, schools, churches, and (of course) cemeteries.

They didn't want the state to choose Bunker Hill or another smaller town in the vicinity just because there was no space in Woodburn.

The name of the postmaster was Mr. Corey, and the mail was carried by George Gordon from Alton to Carlinville.

[6] In 1839, the Whig political campaign celebrated Independence Day in Woodburn, and Abraham Lincoln was among the speakers.

[5] Dr. Edwards and John Adams began and Mr. Mudge finished the first steam sawmill in the county in 1836.

Later (sometime before 1840), Mr. Luttrell would build an animal-powered mill to grind corn, and it would be used by a large percentage of farmers in the area.

Eventually (1841), T.J. VanDorn would buy the steam sawmill and convert it to a flour mill, setting Woodburn ahead of the rest of the county when it came to modern conveniences.

Also, in that year, the first blacksmith shop was opened by the Perry brothers (though some claim that Alfred Davis was first).

Another prominent local farmer who arrived in that same time period was Reverend Robert Blake.

Courses such as botany, advanced math, and music (employing a teacher from Shurtleff College) were available for a fee.

[9] The Benner family donated land on Huette Road near what is now the Country Bible Church for a school.

In 1907, the school had 36 students, its library had 64 books, and the teacher was paid forty dollars a month.

The church building was constructed on land donated by the Benner family on Huette Road about 2 miles from town.

[11] Containing the graves of many of the founding citizens of Woodburn, the Wood Cemetery about two miles south of town goes back to at least 1823.

[12] While several of the founding families are represented here, of particular note are the graves of two of the seven Wood brothers - James and Abraham - and their wives.

[3] The Alton and Terre Haute railroad was originally planned to pass through Woodburn, but a decision was made that sent it through Bunker Hill instead.

[9] Also in 1948, the same tornado that almost completely leveled Bunker Hill also destroyed several homes in Woodburn and killed four people.

A monument in the public square was erected by the citizens of the township to remember three residents who died in the army during World War I.

[16] The current Baptist Church (Calvary) has met in what was the old Woodburn School building on Chestnut Street since 1956.

[16] A water tower bearing the village name stands on the northern edge of Woodburn.