Bishop's Palace in Galveston, Texas: A Tourist Favorite

The Bishop's Palace is one of Galveston's grandest architectural treasures. Named by the American Institute of Architects as one of the 100 most important buildings in America and classified by the Library of Congress as one of the fourteen most representative Victorian structures in the nation, this enchanting edifice has been compared by tourists to the grandeur of European castles.

History of the Bishop's Palace

Located on Broadway and 14th Street in the East End Historic District of Galveston Texas, the mansion was built as a private residence on the island by attorney Walter Gresham in the late 1800's. It is sometimes still referred to as Gresham's Castle. While so many other structures were demolished, this massively constructed palace designed by Nicholas Clayton withstood the great hurricane of 1900. It is reported that staff stood on the porch and fished victims out of the floodwaters. More recently, in 2008, the steel-framed structure built of Texas limestone and accented with gray and pink granite also survived Hurricane Ike with minimal flood damage.

In 1923, the Catholic Diocese of Galveston purchased the home as an official residence for the bishop. Reverend Christopher Byrne, however, is the only one who lived there. He called it home until his death in 1950. The Catholic Church, in 1963, opened it to the public as a museum, managed by the Galveston Historical Foundation. With tickets minimally priced at $6 and under, proceeds help fund the Newman Center serving Catholic students at the nearby University of Texas Medical Branch.

The Ornate Splendor of the Bishop's Palace

Each year, the historic building attracts thousands of visitors who are awed by its ornate splendor. Extravagantly built with colored stone, intricately carved ornaments, crystal chandelier, rare woods such as rosewood and white mahogany, massive sliding doors, stained-glass windows, exquisite staircases, bronze dragons and other sculptures, luxury furnishings, and impressive fireplaces including one lined with pure silver, the palace reportedly cost $250,000, a hefty price at the time of its building. Today it is estimated at a worth of over $5.5 million.

The huge fireplace in the front parlor showcases a mantel made of Santo Domingo mahogany that won first prize in the 1876 World's Fair in Philadelphia. Another fireplace in the music room is built of onyx, pewter, and silver that also won first place in the New Orleans Exhibition.

Other Mansions and Attractions in Galveston

Besides the Bishop's Palace, other island attractions include Ashton Villa, the first of the Galveston palaces, the magnificent 32-room Moody House mansion filled with Moody family heirlooms, Moody Gardens, and The Strand Landmark Historic District. The Galveston port also offers Caribbean cruises with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Princess Cruise Lines.

During Hurricane Ike, the Moody Mansion was flooded with 5 feet of water on the ground floor, however tours were able to be resumed the following Thanksgiving weekend. Ashton Villa is still recovering from hurricane damage, after losing windows and suffering flooding.

Lodging on Galveston Island

Conveniently located within one mile of the Bishop's Palace, the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Galveston Beach, Hotel Galvez - A Wyndham Historic Hotel, and La Quinta Inn Galveston offer tourists comfortable lodging.