Drive-by shot of Ashton VIlla. I added sepia and vignette.
This residence is thought to be the first all brick home in Texas. Built by a wealthy hardware businessman, James Brown, it took 4 years to build (1861 to 1865).
During the Civil War, Ashton Villa was a hospital for Confederate soldiers. And, as Galveston was at various times under the control of either the
Union forces or the Confederate forces,Ashton Villa became the headquarters for whatever General was in control at the time.
Constructed of brick and cast iron, Ashton Villa Mansion was one of the very few homes to survive the Great Storm of 1900 that killed 6,000 people and led to the island's virtual abandonment.
Interestingly enough, during the 1900 Hurricane, the Browns opened the front door of the mansion and allowed the flood waters to flow all the way
through the home exiting out the back door so that the home would not be pushed by the waters and possibly damaged.