St. Vincent Island is the westernmost of four barrier islands in the northwestern Florida Gulf coast which include Cape St. George Island, St. George Island and Dog Island. The island is located just offshore in Franklin County, Florida south southeast of Cape San Blas and north of Cape St. George Island close to the mouth of the Apalachicola River and the town of Apalachicola on the Florida Panhandle.

Archeological digs on the island resulted in the discovery of Paleo-Indian projectile points that date back to around 13,000 years ago. These materials would have been deposited by people living during the Pleistocene when, because of lower sea-levels, the area was well inland and not an island. Pottery fragments dating back 4000 years ago were also observed on the north shore of the island, but these may have been deposited there while the island was forming.

In 1633, Franciscan Friars named the island while visiting Apalachee tribes in the area.

In 1750, Creek Indians and Seminoles, offshoots of the Creek nation, entered area and inhabited the island.

During the War of 1812, the British used it to unload military supplies, preparatory to invading the United States via the Flint River (see Nicolls' Outpost).

In 1868, George Hatch bought the island.

In 1908, Dr. Ray V. Pierce imported Old World game animals to the island. In 1920 the island was used to graze beef cattle sold to Apalachicola markets.

In 1940, the first oyster lease was granted. The Pierce Estate sold first pine saw timber. St. Joe Lumber Company built a temporary bridge to the island for timber removal.