[1] The earliest section of Lota House, a substantial two-storeyed rendered brick residence, was constructed in 1865-66 for Irish born Queensland early settler, William Duckett White and his wife, Jane.

It was described by the White's son-in-law, Graham Douglas Mylne, as a grand, comfortable house with large rooms, fresh breezes, and views over Moreton Bay.

In the courtyard were two deep underground tanks, each covered with a large, circular-cut stone, and from these rain water was pumped to the house, kitchen, stables and garden.

Further to the west, on the slope behind the stables, were yards, cow bales, fowl houses and pig styes, as well as a hut accommodating South Sea Islanders working on the property.

Cows and horses grazed in the paddocks surrounding the house, and maize, sorghum and hay were grown on the flats of Lota Creek as supplementary fodder.

At this time, the 1865-66 dining and drawing rooms were redecorated by the Sydney firm Beard Watsons with ornate timber mantelpieces (replacing earlier white marble) and new wallpapers and carpets.

Duckett White also subdivided the estate, with land sales starting from 1911, and the grounds surrounding Lota House were reduced to just under 10 acres (4.0 ha).

[2] The church purchased Lota House from Kathleen, widow of Graham Mylne, to establish the Edwin Marsden Tooth Memorial Home for aged care.

[1] Lota House (now Edwin Marsden Tooth Memorial Home) was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

Lota House illustrates part of the pattern of Queensland history: the 1860s establishment of gentry estates in Brisbane's eastern bayside suburbs.

The earliest section of Lota House is important in exhibiting a number of aesthetic features: the simple rectilinear form punctuated by the colonnaded verandah retains the elegant symmetry and proportion of the Georgian influence; the retention of the internal proportions and planning; the substantial amount of original fabric remaining intact, particularly the cedar joinery which includes doors, skirtings, architraves and staircases; and the sliding louvred shutters to the upper windows and French doors which are also rare and innovative.