Ashton Villa, is a three-story mansion built by wealthy businessman, James Brown in the 1860s. The beautiful Italian design and grand central stairway survived the Civil War, where the estate was actually used as a hospital and meeting place for Union and Confederate forces. Once the war was over, Brown lived in the mansion with his daughter Bettie. Known for her beauty and her love of material objects, Bettie didn’t want to occupy her time looking for a husband, but instead dedicated her life to living luxuriously by collecting, fans, gans, clothes, and art. When she died in 1920, her ghost seemed unable to leave her possessions behind. Many report seeing her ghost in the mansion’s Gold Room, where her collections are now on display, as well as the stairway and second landing. They also report seeing furniture move on its own and ceiling fans turning on by themselves. The house was purchased by the Galveston Historical Foundation, who opened it for the public to visit in 1974. The location now serves as a visitors center for all. Visit at 2328 Broadway St., Galveston.
Historical Photo Courtesy of Galveston Ghost
Ashton Villa Present Photo Courtesy of The Galveston Historical Foundation
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