Bishop Castle

For places known as Bishop's Castle, see Bishop's Castle (disambiguation).

Bishop Castle started as a family construction project situated in the Wet Mountains of Southern Colorado in the San Isabel National Forest located North West of Rye, Colorado.[1] The castle is named after its constructor, Jim Bishop.[2]

The Castle is located in south central Colorado along a paved public road, State Highway 165, approximately 13 miles (21 km) southeast of the junction of State Highway 96 and State Highway 165. This road is part of the Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway,[3] and Bishop Castle is shown on the official map.[4]

Construction of the castle began in 1969[5], when Bishop began construction on a family cottage[6], which he decided to surround with rocks. Several neighbors noted that the structure looked something like a castle. Bishop took this into consideration and soon began building his castle. He bought the land when he was fifteen for a price of $1,250.[7] He has faced numerous challenges with the local and state government over ownership and activities on the site.[8][9][10]

The castle is open from dawn until dusk 7 days a week, year round. Entrance is free, though donations are suggested. Several hand-painted signs warn visitors to climb at their own risk, while others remind visitors that Jim Bishop is the sole builder of the castle.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Ripleys Believe it or not". Reading Eagle. July 11, 1983. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NMAxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SeMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4229,331679&dq=jim+bishop+castle&hl=en. Retrieved 12 January 2010. 
  2. ^ Ragan, Tom (June 9, 2002). "Builder prefers being king of what he sees/Castle is maverick's 33- year labor of love". The Gazette. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-2728942.html. Retrieved 12 January 2010. 
  3. ^ Porter, Mary Jean (April 23, 2006). "Adobe to Steel': Byway exhibit focuses on history's foundation: buildings.". The Pueblo Chieftain. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-144850880.html. Retrieved 12 January 2010. 
  4. ^ A congressionally designated National Scenic Byway
  5. ^ "From a life's labor, a castle rises, Jim Bishop started his 160-foot-high creation in 1969. He doesn't plan to ever stop building.". Philadelphia Inquirer. July 14, 2002. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F4D373CA3466A24&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 12 January 2010. 
  6. ^ Owen, Rob (Sunday, July 30, 2006). "The craziest castle in Colorado: Bishop's vision is a work in progress". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06211/709125-37.stm. Retrieved 17 January 2010. 
  7. ^ Commagreens, Dallas (Monday, July 13, 2009). "Jim Bishops Castle". Weekly World News. http://weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/9889/jim-bishops-castle/. Retrieved 12 January 2010. 
  8. ^ "Custer County residents worried about teen 'ravers'". The Gazette. 1998-07-24. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/gazette/access/32330504.html?dids=32330504:32330504&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+24%2C+1998&author=Associated+Press&pub=Colorado+Springs+Gazette&desc=Custer+County+residents+worried+about+teen+%27ravers%27&pqatl=google. Retrieved 17 January 2010. 
  9. ^ Searles, Denis M. (May 11, 1996). "A MAN'S CASTLE UNDER SIEGE BY BUREAUCRATS". Chicago Tribune. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/17158519.html?dids=17158519:17158519&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+11%2C+1996&author=Denis+M.+Searles%2C+Associated+Press.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=A+MAN%27S+CASTLE+UNDER+SIEGE+BY+BUREAUCRATS&pqatl=google. Retrieved 12 January 2010. 
  10. ^ SEARLES, DENIS M (April 28, 1996). "Castle Craftsman Withstands Long State Siege; Colorado: Jim Bishop draws 60,000 visitors a year to his creation in the mountains while fending off assaults by highway and tax officials". LA Times. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/16677116.html?dids=16677116:16677116&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+28%2C+1996&author=DENIS+M.+SEARLES&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Castle+Craftsman+Withstands+Long+State+Siege%3B+Colorado%3A+Jim+Bishop+draws+60%2C000+visitors+a+year+to+his+creation+in+the+mountains+while+fending+off+assaults+by+highway+and+tax+officials.&pqatl=google. Retrieved 12 January 2010. 
  11. ^ Detailed sign photos at

External links