Along one of the oldest streets in St. Augustine, sits the Ximenez-Fatio House. Prior to the second Spanish period the land and the house switched hands six times. In 1797, Andres Ximenez, a Spanish merchant, purchased the land. During the next several years, Ximenez built a two-story residence with a store, two adjoining warehouses, and a separate kitchen building. The shop was a general store selling paper, books, dishes buttons, and candle molds. According to archaeological remains of finer ceramic wares, this area of town was of higher economic status.

The Ximenez family owned the store and home until 1826 when Margaret Cook purchased the residence in thirds over the course four years. During the next eight years the residence was converted into a guesthouse run by Eliza Whitehurst. During 1823, the residence housed 23 tourists, most from New England. Following her plantation burning during the Seminole War, Sara Petty Anderson bought the home and lived in it until 1850.

In 1855, Miss Lousia Fatio bought and managed a busy winter residence until she died. It continued to be a guesthouse until the early 1900s. During that time, it was considered the oldest hotel in the city. The Fatio guesthouse had visitors from the Northeastern States, Canada, and Paris, normally fifteen to twenty a week.

Beginning in the 1930s, the residence was used for a variety of purposes, including gift shops, artist studios, and apartments. In 1939, the Colonial Dames of America bought the house and in the 1980s restored the building.

Today, the buildings are home to a house museum that displays exhibits related to the Florida Territorial period.

Researched, written, and narrated by University of West Florida Public History Student Kelcie Lloyd

Credits and Sources:

Kelcie Lloyd, University of West Florida