Steens is located adjacent to Luxapallila Creek and is located on the former Southern Railway. In 1838, Robert Jamison founded a grist mill, store, and smithy along Luxapallila Creek near the present site of Steens. In addition, he built multiple covered bridges in the area.[3] In 1900, the population was 26.[4] The community once had a cotton gin and exported large amounts of lumber, fertilizer, and cotton seed.[5]
A post office operated under the name Steenston from 1884 to 1903 and under the names Steens starting in 1903.[6]
The Caledonia Combined Cycle Plant, a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant, is located on 125 acres of land near Steens.[7]