The Bishop's Palace, Galveston, Texas

[Big Hext]

Howdy all,

Had the opportunity to visit this amazing Victorian mansion.  If you are ever in the area, it's worth the 30 minutes and six bucks.
Built in 1886 for an estimated $250,000 by Colonel Walter Gresham, the castle was designed by noted architect, Nicholas Clayton.  A curious mix of sandstone, granite and limestone, all native to Texas, the house also has wood paneling throughout.  Award winning fireplaces are found in the ballroom and music room. 

Here's where I think it gets really interesting.  The house was designed and built with indoor plumbing, natural gas and electric lighting through out the house!  One of the fireplaces is a natural gas, fake log setup (like the current offerings, but a bit larger and built into the staircase.)  It was amazing to see these "modern" features in a house made before the turn of the last century.  Just another reminder at how fluid inventions and technology are in time.

There doesn't seem to be a direct link, but this one has better pictures than most.  http://texaslesstraveled.com/bishopspalace.htm
But this is the coolest picture:


Adios,

[Wymore Wrangler]

Neat old house....

[Silver Creek Slim]

Thanks fer posting it, Big Hext. It is a great piece of history.

Slim

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Wonder how that building faired during the big hurricane that hit during the turn of the century it was built in?......Buck

[Big Hext]

Buck,

It had about 3 feet of water in the basement.  There were over 200 people in the house weathering that awful hurricane.

Adios,