Union Hotel
Dublin Core
Creator
Title
Union Hotel
Alternative Title
Livingston's Hotel and Bridier's Hotel
Worth House
Worth Mansion
Elks Lodge
O.C. White's Restaurant
Contributor
George L. Potter
Date Created
1790-1791
Date Modified
1799
1815
1868/1869
1904
1948
1961
1992
Type
This building was built as a private home.
This building became one of St. Augustine's first hotels.
The hotel revered back into a private home.
This building was used as a masonic meeting place.
This building is now a restaurant.
Description
The history of the Worth House dates back to the 2nd Spanish Period (1783-1821) when it was built in 1790-1791 as a house for Don Miguel Ysnardy at 16 Marine Street. Ysnardy was a frigate captain, a local property owner of several homes, and he oversaw the construction of the Cathedral from 1793-1797.
In 1799, this building was turned into the Union Hotel, one of the first hotels in St. Augustine. In 1815, it was purchased by William Livingston and his daugher, Hester, who continued to operate the home as a hotel. The Livingston's Hotel and Bridier's Hotel was in operation until sometime in the 1830s. In 1868, Hester Livingston sold the house to the widow, Margaret Stafford Worth.
Colonel William Worth (later General) was a field commander in the region at the end of the 2nd Seminole War (1835-1842) tasked with ending it. General Worth served during the Mexican War (1846-1847) and oversaw the capture of both Monterrey and Vera Cruz. Both Lake Worth, Florida and Fort Worth, Texas are both named for this war hero of two wars. Widowed, Margaret, with her daughters lived in the Worth House/Mansion until her death in 1869, and the daughters contined to live here until 1904.
In 1904, Margaret Worth, daugther to the General, sold the house to local cigar maker, P.F. Carcaba. From 1907 to 1913, it was used as the headquarters for the Elks Club. During this time period, it was advertised as the oldest house in the U.S.
In 1948, George L. Potter bought the home. In 1961, he had the building disassembled and moved across the street to its present location and orientation. At that time, it was restored to its pre-Livingston days. At some point after this move, the building became a seafood restaurant.
On November 13, 1992, O.C. White's was damaged in a fire and then restored before reopening.
In 1799, this building was turned into the Union Hotel, one of the first hotels in St. Augustine. In 1815, it was purchased by William Livingston and his daugher, Hester, who continued to operate the home as a hotel. The Livingston's Hotel and Bridier's Hotel was in operation until sometime in the 1830s. In 1868, Hester Livingston sold the house to the widow, Margaret Stafford Worth.
Colonel William Worth (later General) was a field commander in the region at the end of the 2nd Seminole War (1835-1842) tasked with ending it. General Worth served during the Mexican War (1846-1847) and oversaw the capture of both Monterrey and Vera Cruz. Both Lake Worth, Florida and Fort Worth, Texas are both named for this war hero of two wars. Widowed, Margaret, with her daughters lived in the Worth House/Mansion until her death in 1869, and the daughters contined to live here until 1904.
In 1904, Margaret Worth, daugther to the General, sold the house to local cigar maker, P.F. Carcaba. From 1907 to 1913, it was used as the headquarters for the Elks Club. During this time period, it was advertised as the oldest house in the U.S.
In 1948, George L. Potter bought the home. In 1961, he had the building disassembled and moved across the street to its present location and orientation. At that time, it was restored to its pre-Livingston days. At some point after this move, the building became a seafood restaurant.
On November 13, 1992, O.C. White's was damaged in a fire and then restored before reopening.
Mediator
O.C. White's Restaurant is open for lunch (limited days) and dinner. For hours of operation, please refer to: https://www.ocwhitesrestaurant.com/contact/.
Rights Holder
Relation
O.C. Whites is tucked into the intersection of Marine Street and Avenida Menendez.
Source
The following books, articles, websites, and photographers were used to find the above photographs or illustrations:
Photograph 1 (c.1907): Bowen, Beth Rogero, and the St. Augustine Historical Society. St. Augustine in the Gilded Age. Acadia Publishing, 2008.
Photograph 2 (1920s): Bowen, Beth Rogero, and the St. Augustine Historical Society. St. Augustine in the Roaring Twenties. Acadia Publishing, 2012.
Photograph 3 (2025): Owens, Katherine. "O.C. Whites." June 10, 2025.
The following books, articles, and/or websites were used to find information about this location:
Bowen, Beth Rogero, and the St. Augustine Historical Society. St. Augustine in the Gilded Age. Acadia Publishing, 2008.
Bowen, Beth Rogero, and the St. Augustine Historical Society. St. Augustine in the Roaring Twenties. Acadia Publishing, 2012.
Gordon, Elsbeth “Buff.” Walking St. Augustine: An Illustrated Guide and Pocket History to America’s Oldest City. Univ. of Florida Press, 2015.
Harvey, Karen. St. Augustine and St. Johns County: A Pictorial History. Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company, 1980.
Rajtar, Steve, and Kelly Goodman. A Guide to Historic St. Augustine, Florida. 1st edition. The History Press, 2007.
Waterbury, Jean Parker, ed. The Oldest City: St. Augustine, Saga of Survival. St. Augustine, FL: St. Augustine Historical Society, 1983.
O.C. White’s Restaurant. “The Worth House: Location and History.” https://www.ocwhitesrestaurant.com/location-and-history/.
Photograph 1 (c.1907): Bowen, Beth Rogero, and the St. Augustine Historical Society. St. Augustine in the Gilded Age. Acadia Publishing, 2008.
Photograph 2 (1920s): Bowen, Beth Rogero, and the St. Augustine Historical Society. St. Augustine in the Roaring Twenties. Acadia Publishing, 2012.
Photograph 3 (2025): Owens, Katherine. "O.C. Whites." June 10, 2025.
The following books, articles, and/or websites were used to find information about this location:
Bowen, Beth Rogero, and the St. Augustine Historical Society. St. Augustine in the Gilded Age. Acadia Publishing, 2008.
Bowen, Beth Rogero, and the St. Augustine Historical Society. St. Augustine in the Roaring Twenties. Acadia Publishing, 2012.
Gordon, Elsbeth “Buff.” Walking St. Augustine: An Illustrated Guide and Pocket History to America’s Oldest City. Univ. of Florida Press, 2015.
Harvey, Karen. St. Augustine and St. Johns County: A Pictorial History. Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company, 1980.
Rajtar, Steve, and Kelly Goodman. A Guide to Historic St. Augustine, Florida. 1st edition. The History Press, 2007.
Waterbury, Jean Parker, ed. The Oldest City: St. Augustine, Saga of Survival. St. Augustine, FL: St. Augustine Historical Society, 1983.
O.C. White’s Restaurant. “The Worth House: Location and History.” https://www.ocwhitesrestaurant.com/location-and-history/.
Rights
Flagler College’s Rare Books, Floridiana & Institutional Repository are neither the original nor current copyright owner for the photographs. Please contact the publisher or source cited for each photograph to obtain a copy and/or permission to reproduce these items.
Is Referenced By
The following St. Augustine Fiction books feature this building as a location:
St. Augustine's Spirits in Our Midst
St. Augustine's Spirits in Our Midst
Date Submitted
This record was last updated on July 17, 2025.
Collection
Citation
Don Miguel Ysnardy, “Union Hotel,” St. Augustine Fiction, accessed May 16, 2026, https://staugustinefiction.omeka.net/items/show/359.