Satsuma is an unincorporated community in Putnam County, Florida, situated on the west bank of the St. Johns River along U.S. Highway 17, about twelve miles south of Palatka. It occupies a quiet stretch of northeast Florida where the river bends through a landscape of woods, marsh, and former citrus land. The community's name reflects its agricultural history. Satsuma was named for the satsuma orange groves that once covered the region, including the Phillips Satsuma Grove, established in 1894 by Dr. Philip Phillips with an endowment to plant satsuma orange trees. The groves were later devastated by freezes, but the name endures as a reminder of the area's citrus era. In the early 1900s, the arrival of the Georgia Southern & Florida Railway made Satsuma a shipping point and river stop, anchoring its development. Today Satsuma is a small, largely residential community with no incorporated government of its own. Education is provided by the Putnam County School District, which operates Browning-Pearce Elementary School within the community and additional schools across the county. The community's housing ranges from modest single-family homes to manufactured homes and 55-plus retirement communities such as River Villas, reflecting its appeal to retirees and those seeking a quiet riverside lifestyle. The St. Johns River is Satsuma's defining natural feature, offering fishing, boating, and scenic water views, while Palatka provides shopping, healthcare, and services a short drive north. For homebuyers, Satsuma offers an affordable, low-key riverside setting with deep citrus and railroad roots in the heart of the St. Johns River region.