Elevated high up in the Wet Mountains within the southern Rocky Mountains system of central Colorado stands a stately, rock structure carefully and loving crafted by hand for nearly sixty years. Bishop's Castle is a roadside attraction located on State Highway 165 in the San Isabel National Forest that has caught the eye of thousands of tourists for years not only for the history and story behind the structure, but its stately and ever-changing appearance.
Bishop's Castle is a one man labor of love dreamt up and built by Jim Bishop. Jim secured the plot of land back in 1969 at fifteen years old with a down payment of $450 on which the castle is now situated. Saving his money from working odd jobs and mowing lawns in the summertime, his original intention was to build a rock summer cottage getaway for himself and his family in the mountains of Colorado. Jim's wife, Phoebe, said "Jimmy started out with rocks because it's a heavy material and free for the taking." Jim collected each rock by hand and began work.
As the structure began to take shape, it started to attracted local folks who wanted to see what Jim was up to. They noted that the elaborate and intricate rock work was beginning to look exactly like a castle. Jim notes that "around 1972, local people, fisherman and hunters, would come by and thought it was a castle. I thought if people want a castle, that's what I'll do." His plan to build a summer rock cottage shifted gears…and the structure began its journey to become Bishop's Castle.
What inspired Jim over the years were pictures he saw in National Geographic Magazine of arches, buttresses, and intricate designs from Paris, London, and other international metropolis cities. He has been the sole custodian of the design and architect of this roadside attraction ever since 1972. "It's a little built of everything style wise. I'm using my God given talents the best way I know how" said Jim. With a soaring tower over 160 feet tall and beautiful stained glass in the chapel no detail was left untouched.
A Bridge Vaults Over Bishop's Castle In Colorado. [Photo/Bishop's Castle]
Bishop's Castle is a never ending project and Jim has no plans to quit expanding, changing, adding, and building to the castle despite a recent health scare in which Jim has been battling cancer. He sees this castle as his true life's work and calling. "It's being built as a one man show and it's never ending. It's still being built" said Phoebe. Jim adds "when I'm dead… that's when I'm done building."
Bishop's Castle, which offers free admission on a donation basis, is about an hour's drive from Pueblo right outside the town of Wetmore, Colorado in the middle of the San Isabel National Forest. "One of the most beautiful drives in my opinion in Colorado is along this road [State Highway 165] with trees, wildlife, and the mountains," explains Phoebe.
"I built it for everyone to see and visitârich and poor alike" notes Jim. The castle is a perfect place to relax, features an adjacent gift shop, and holds family vacations, family reunions, weddings, and those just looking for a fun day trip. The castle is meant to explore, examine, and enjoy with its elaborate and intricate medieval construction.
With approximately between 105,000-120,000 visitors annually, Bishop's Castle attracts newcomers and repeat visitors from all over the world. "We get people from all over the world" said Phoebe. "We even have a couple come from London every other year." The couple returns to Bishop's Castle to see the development and progress of Jim's hard work as part of their vacation tradition as they became enamored with the castle the first time they set foot on the grounds.
Jim Bishop, the castle builder, at his site working on more of his great designs. [Photo by Pedro QS]
With recent health concerns for both Jim and Phoebe, some of the day to day operations involved in the running of the castle have been handed over to their two daughters, Donita Bishop and Valerie Bishop-Moore. "They try to keep people updated on what Jimmy and I are up to" notes Phoebe. The two sisters work hard to answer emails, update Facebook, and keep intrigued parties up to date with the latest castle news.
Donita is both nervous and excited to take over some of the reigns of running the castle as she knows the castle inside and out, but has big shoes to fill. "In all honestly, growing up as my father built the castle was just normal. There is not a single inch to that castle that I have not climbed over 1,000 times. I always trusted my father’s work. It is a bit scary. I recently moved back and become involved with the castle. My mother has been doing the paperwork since Jim started it. It is intimidating to think about having to take it all over, all this work for fifty years," said Donita.
"The achievement of one man with the dream and determination to build something for the public for over fifty years. Not many people in their lives can say they started something in their mid-20’s and continued at it until they were 70, even in sickness," notes Donita. RV travelers can especially appreciate this painstakingly crafted rock structure which engages the heart and the mind tucked inside the tender embrace of the Wet Mountains.