Louisa Fatio
(1797-1875)

Died aged c. 78

Louisa Fatio was born in 1797 to settlers at New Switzerland on the St. John’s River located west of St. Augustine. She was born on the family’s 10,000-acre plantation, which was burned during the War of 1812. The family returned to New Switzerland and rebuilt the plantation house between 1822 and 1824. In 1836, she moved to St. Augustine and began operating a boarding house. Miss Fatio was known for the fine table she kept at a house on the bay front, and at another establishment on south St. George Street. She purchased property at 22 Aviles Street in 1855. For 20 years, the Fatio House was highly regarded as one of St. Augustine’s inns. Visitors included Abijah Gilbert, Reconstruction senator from Florida, and nieces of James Fenimore Cooper, including Constance Fenimore Woolson. Louisa Fatio died in 1875.

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