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]
Don Zant, former Vice President of Finanace and Administration and Chief Financial Officer for Mississippi State University Don once lived in West Texas and thus became accustomed to the ~35 mph wind through his then hair. As a Ford fan, he quickly realized that his cars could not compete with the west Texas wind, so he shaved his head, bought a mustang, and drove each day to Mississippi State University as the Chief Financial Officer as a poser because he was bald, yet he drove a car incapable of causing hair movement, a Ford Mustang.
Don is one of our most celebrated native sons and is a true champion of fiscal responsibility. Long live Portugal and forever may we be thankful for Chevrolet tow truck.