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ASHTON VILLA |
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This Italianate
mansion was built in 1859 by James Moreau Brown. His
lovely
daughter, Bettie Ashton Brown, is said to haunt her old home
to this
day. Bettie was a free spirit even when alive. She traveled
alone throughout
the world, smoked in public, and never married,
though
she picked her escorts from a long list of admiring suitors.
Until Bettie's
death in 1920, Ashton Villa was the scene of many
parties
and gala dinners. l`oday, her presence is sensed most strongly
on the
center stairway and in the hallway on the second-floor
landing.
In the Gold Room and near an alcove in the living room,
furniture
moves and clocks stop for no apparent reason. An employee
saw Rettie's
ghost on the landing in 1991. She was wearing a turquoise
evening
gown and carrying an ornate Victorian fan in one hand.
According
to Ashton Villa's manager Lucie Testa the ghostly activity
intensifies
on February 18, Rettie's birthday.
LOCATION
Galveston is on the culfofMexico, thirty-five
miles southeast of Houston on 1-45. Ashton Villa is in Galveston's historical
district, at 2328 Broadway, Galueston, 7X 77550. r;i,r further information,
contact the Galveston Historical Society, 2016 Strand, Galveston, TX 77550.
Phone: 409-765-7834
