The Bishop's Palace, also known as Gresham's Castle, is an ornate 19,082 square feet (1,772.8 m2)[2] Victorian-style house, located on Broadway and 14th Street in the East End Historic District of Galveston, Texas.
Bishop's Palace | |
![]() Bishop's Palace in 1967 | |
![]() ![]() Bishop's Palace ![]() ![]() Bishop's Palace | |
Location | 1402 Broadway, Galveston, Texas |
---|---|
Coordinates | 29°18′17″N 94°46′55″W / 29.30472°N 94.78194°W |
Area | 0.4 acres (0.16 ha) |
Built | 1887 | -1892
Architect | Nicholas J. Clayton |
Architectural style | Late Victorian, Eclectic |
Website | 1892 Bishop's Palace |
Part of | East End Historic District (ID75001979[1]) |
NRHP reference No. | 70000746[1] |
RTHL No. | 139 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | August 25, 1970 |
Designated NHLDCP | May 11, 1976 |
Designated CP | May 30, 1975 |
Designated RTHL | 1967 |
The Gresham mansion was made all of stone, and was sturdy enough to withstand the great hurricane of 1900. The Greshams welcomed hundreds of survivors of the hurricane into their home.[3]
The house was built between 1887 and 1892 by Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton for lawyer and politician Walter Gresham, his wife Josephine, and their nine children. In 1923 the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galveston purchased the house, and, situated across the street from the Sacred Heart Church, it served as the residence for Bishop Christopher E. Byrne.[4] After the diocesan offices were moved to Houston, the diocese opened the mansion to the public in 1963, with proceeds from tours being used to help fund the UT medical school's Newman Center, which operated in the basement.
The home is estimated to have cost $250,000 at the time;[5] today its value is estimated at over $5.5 million.
The house is now owned by the Galveston Historical Foundation and self-guided tours are available daily. A portion of each admission supports the preservation and restoration of the property.
Bishop's Palace has four floors. The raised basement which once housed the kitchen and servant's areas now contains the store. This basement is followed by three formal floors.