Initial surveys of the house indicate that it was constructed during the 1850-1860s during the late Spanish period.
It was deliberately constructed facing the  Pasig River because at the time, the river was an avenue for a flourishing market and a major transport route for visitors travelling in Manila.

Prior to World War II, the house was owned by the O'Brien family who fled Manila when Japanese troops invaded the capital.
Unlike the other towns in Manila, Santa Ana was spared from much of the destruction.
Because of its location on a main thoroughfare leading out of Manila, the house became a place of refuge for those fleeing the destruction downtown.

Following the Allied liberation of Manila,  Marcial Lichauco bought the house from the O'Briens.
In recent years, the house has become an important remnant of Santa Ana's rich history when at June 10, 2010, it was declared to be the first heritage house by the virtue of Resolution 5 by the National Historical Commission.
Initial surveys of the house indicate that it was constructed during the 1850-1860s during the late Spanish period. It was deliberately constructed facing the  Pasig River because at the time, the river was an avenue for a flourishing market and a major transport route for visitors travelling in Manila.
Prior to World War II, the house was owned by the O'Brien family who fled Manila when Japanese troops invaded the capital. Unlike the other towns in Manila, Santa Ana was spared from much of the destruction. Because of its location on a main thoroughfare leading out of Manila, the house became a place of refuge for those fleeing the destruction downtown.
Following the Allied liberation of Manila,  Marcial Lichauco bought the house from the O'Briens. In recent years, the house has become an important remnant of Santa Ana's rich history when at June 10, 2010, it was declared to be the first heritage house by the virtue of Resolution 5 by the National Historical Commission.
Lichauco Heritage House