Old Town is an unincorporated community in Dixie County located along US Highway 98 just west of where it crosses the Suwannee River. The core area of the town has a number businesses, an elementary school and several churches.

Long before European settlers arrived, the area now occupied by Old Town was inhabited by the Upper Creeks, and later, the Seminoles. Called "Suwannee Oldtown", it was one of the largest Native American villages in northern Florida. The site was eventually destroyed during the First Seminole War in 1818 by forces led by Andrew Jackson, which forced the Seminole populations further south and paved the way for white settlement. Military records of that time referred to the community as "Bowlegs Town" - named after Seminole chief Billy Bowlegs.

During the early 19th century, Old Town served as a vital agricultural and residential hub. It became a critical stop for steamboats transporting lumber, naval stores, and passengers along the Suwannee River. The most famous historical landmark from this era is the "City of Hawkinsville", a paddle-wheel steamboat. When the expansion of the railroad made steamboats obsolete, the ship was scuttled in the river near Old Town in 1922. While the wreck is mostly submerged, it remains a popular site for divers and a reminder of the town’s maritime past.

The town’s more recent history is reflected in its transportation infrastructure. The Nature Coast State Trail , which runs through the community, is built upon the abandoned corridor of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. The historic Nature Coast Trail Suwannee River Bridge is a repurposed iron trestle that once carried trains and now serves as a scenic crossing for visitors.


Activities & Facilities

Hotel or B&BRestaurantDogs allowedShort hiking trailsPaved bike trails

• Dixie County Chamber of Commerce
• VisitDixie.com tourism website