Ashton Villa was the first brick mansion in Galveston and one of the first brick homes to be built in the state of Texas. The brick walls are thirteen inches thick to keep out the Gulf Coast humidity and provide strength. There are coal burning fireplaces in every room, two indoor bathrooms, and in 1859 the home glowed at night with gas chandeliers. No expense was spared for this grand mansion in its grand town. Ashton Villa was the center of the Galveston social scene includ