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As seen on TV ~ Bishops Castle

 You have probably seen Bishops Castle on any number of television programs. The castle sits on highway # 165 near the town of San Isabel, CO.

 

Jim Bishop is a one man work horse and has been building this castle for approx 40 years. Since finding the ground and starting this project as a teenager Jim has had some intermittent help. The death of his son on this ground spurs him on the continue the project, although I've never heard if there is an actual plan to finish.

 

The second level is open for large groups of people and weddings take place year around. Notice the tiny windows on the second level. These were all donated and arrive by mail, each is a reflection of the person who sent it. The gold dome has a bell in it and when you reach that point you can ring it. Notice the iron work around the castle - Jim Bishop has a shop and does custom iron work out of Pueblo. There are numerous staircases inside and outside of the castle, most are narrow and steep. The iron ball in the center of the castle is approx 20 across and 20 feet high. The plan is to some day cover it with mirrors. The "East Tower" is now under construction and can be seen from the road.

 

 The rock that forms this castle comes from the local area, funds from visitors help keep it going. The head of the dragon is approx 20 feet long and has propane set up to shoot fire out of it's mouth on special occasion. You are allowed to access any part of the castle at your own risk and must sign a waiver when you enter. The stories you hear about Bishops Castle and it's creator are true. Both the castle and the creator are colorful parts of Colorado.

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06211/709125-37.stm

Information Herein Deemed Reliable but Not Guaranteed 

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Comments

Wow, this is eccentric! So naturally I like it! Believe it or not I have never heard of it before so thanks for the article. Forty years! Just amazing.
Posted by Carole Cohen Realtor®, ePRO (Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office) over 2 years ago
Carole, Jim's been interviewed by Rosanne, Leno, Letterman  and others.  He has a reputation for being an Anarchists. There are anti government  signs posted all over, this gets the castle lots of attention. It's a spectacular place and for once today I remembered my camera.
Posted by Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) over 2 years ago
I had not heard of it or seen it, and I thought I knew Colorado!  I had better get in my car and make some more day trips.  So many of these types of places are built by real individualists.  Call it yard art in a big way!
Posted by Summit County, Colorado Realtor l Joanne Hanson (Coldwell Banker Colorado Rockies Real Estate) over 2 years ago
WOW! I have always wanted to check that out ... What an awesome building.
Posted by Mariana Wagner ~ Colorado Springs REALTOR® (Wagner iTeam -Keller Williams Hope Realty) over 2 years ago
There is just something that makes me want to sneak up and slap a Hillary '08 bumper sticker on that truck.  :)  
Posted by Chris Elizabeth Griffith ~ Bonita Springs Fl Real Estate (Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL) over 2 years ago

There's a buck and lunch in it if you do it!

Posted by Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) over 2 years ago
Dena, this is so neat looking!  I'll chip in a Buck and a cup of coffee if Chris does it too.  :)
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) over 2 years ago
LOL anyone have a flack jacket I can borrow?
Posted by Chris Elizabeth Griffith ~ Bonita Springs Fl Real Estate (Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL) over 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing this, Dena. It's quite a castle! Maybe next time I'm in Colorado....
Posted by Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.) over 2 years ago
Dena, that really seems like a great place and definitely one of a kind.  You need to take a picture when the dragon is shutting fire :)
Posted by George Souto (McCue Mortgage) FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages CT. over 2 years ago
Talk about commitment! Forty years. That is amazing. I'd love to see the inside.
Posted by Jennifer Steck- Denver Real Estate (Rocky Mountain Homescapes, Keller Williams, Denver Colorado) over 2 years ago

Thank you all for the comments. Every once in awhile you will see the castle on HGTV - extreme houses and the like. If you are in the area it's worth the drive, a bit isolated and make your stops before you get there. It's a VERY pretty area and an unusual structure. I try to stop in about once a year, you can see more progress that way.

Posted by Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) over 2 years ago
That was cool! I never saw anything like it and I have traveled all over Europe and the eastern half of our country!
Posted by BarbaraJo's Blog - Clearwater and Pinellas County Florida Real Estate - (Charles Rutenberg Realty) over 2 years ago

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