The municipality separated from Hundwil in 1749 and was named after the Uf Stein section of the neighbouring river.

Of the rest of the land, 8.3% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (1.4%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).

[3] The historical population is given in the following table:[5] Stein is home to the Appenzell Folklore Museum, which is listed as a heritage site of national significance.

[6] The museum is devoted to Appenzell culture and handicrafts such as beltmaking, cowbells and carpentry.

The church was built in 1749 by Jakob and Hans Ulrich Grubenmann, and renovated in 1832/1833 by Gebhard Moosbrugger.

Between the hamlet of Störgel and the Haggen section of St. Gallen, is the highest foot bridge in Europe.