Most Haunted Places in America: Ashton Villa

Nestled among the beautiful mansions along Broadway Street in Galveston Texas, Ashton Villa has been known too many who have visited her majestic rooms to be one of the most haunted places in America. Built in 1859, she is the oldest and largest of the famous Broadway Palaces and is also known as the first brick house in the State of Texas.

J.M Brown a wealthy businessperson and banker and his family were the original owners of the mansion which became the center of Galveston’s wealthy social circles. Ashton Villa is also renowned for being one of the only surviving structures of the Great Hurricane of 1900 which between 6,000 and 8,000 people perished.

Filled with beautiful antiques throughout the home and glorious paintings created by the house mistress Bettie Brown, which the Italianate styled mansion was constructed of cast iron and brick. It was constructed of a large ballroom, opulent mantel work, and lavish furnishings throughout the home.

After the Browns moved out, the house belonged to the El Mina Shrine Temple where it was on the verge of being destroyed due to the property not being properly cared for. However, in 1973 the house was saved by a group of local preservationists who restored the home and opened it as a museum in 1974.

Unlike most haunted mansions, Ashton Villa was not filled with tragedy or a dire evil spirit who kept its presence there. Many believe that Ms Bettie Brown, one of J.M Brown’s youngest daughters roam the place. Witnesses have stated that she was a beautiful eccentric woman who has been seen walking though and even standing inside of the Gold Room. Others have experienced an exotic smell of jasmine and roses throughout the air.

This was said to be Bettie’s favorite fragrance combination by historians and those who work in the museum. Another oddity was that Bettie’s bed would never stay made, even if employees straightened the sheets throughout the day, a short time later her bed coverings would either appeared rumpled up or would end up on the floor.

Witnesses have recalled sounds coming from the piano room which was rumored that Miss Bettie would play for hours in front of crowds of people. One person had stated that he heard two people speaking to one another that were dressed in Victorian style clothing with a woman weeping softly. However, when he looked again, the figures had disappeared in thin air.

Tour guides have also claimed that a chest of drawers that was purchased in the middle east would lock and unlock itself although the keys have said to been missing for several years. These are just a few of the sightings that have been witnessed over the years about the rendezvous of Miss Bettie Brown. Several others have also stated that there are more apparitions who roam the grounds of the Ashton Villa mansion.

With these sightings occurring over the years is the Ashton Villa really haunted, or are those who have made claims over the years are reporting incidents that were actually a figment of their imaginations? The best way to find out is by taking a stroll through the breathtaking mansion for themselves to discover what is real and what is just folklore of Galveston Island.

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