The Steinhatchee River is a short river in the Big Bend region of Florida. It flows for 28 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Part of the river goes underground as a subterranean river near U.S. Route 19. The river drops several feet at Steinhatchee Falls, about 12 miles upstream from the river’s mouth. On an outgoing tide, it’s a great place to put in for a canoe or a kayak trip. The river meanders slowly through undeveloped forests. The banks are a little high and the limestone rocks are sharp.  Don’t be surprised to see a deer, an alligator, or manatee.

 

The Stein in Steinhatchee is pronounced Steen, rather than Stine. Although, I’m not sure why, maybe it’s because of its prior names the Hittenhatchee, Esteenhatchee, and Isteenhatchee. During the Florida War of 1834-1842, General Zachary Taylor, in charge of the campaign to clear the area of Indians, arrived in 1838. Taylor, who later became the 12th President of the United States, was probably the only general during the Florida War to serve in the county named in his honor.

Steinhatchee was a shipping port during the 1870s. James Howard Stephens settled in the area for logging cedar trees. The cedar logs were lashed together and moved down the coastline as rafts to Cedar Key where they were shipped out by rail. At that time, the Steinhatchee area was known as "Dead man’s Bay." In 1876, Stephens established a United States Post Office and changed the name to "Stephensville." In1904, the town was known as "Jena." Later in 1938, the North side of the river was called “Steinhatchee” and the South side of the river was called “Jena”, as it remains today.

Today, Steinhatchee remains untouched, as if time stood still. A charming fishing village that twists along the river to the Gulf of Mexico. Commercial fishermen harvest sponge, mullet, and blue crab. Sports fishermen visit the numerous fish camps, marinas, and lodges. The seafood restaurants are alive with sportsmen telling tales as in years gone by, only now the restaurant’s offer to cook your catch for you. The best of both worlds.