The gift shop at Bishop Castle, a fabled attraction west of Pueblo, burned to the ground March 28, 2018. Owner Jim Bishop said revenue from the store, stocked with Renaissance weaponry and trinkets, paid his rent.
Jim Bishop and his wife, Phoebe, are trying to focus on the positives after a fire Wednesday morning burned the iconic Bishop Castle’s gift shop and accessory building to the ground.
The main Bishop Castle, which started off as a one-room stone cottage that Jim built by hand in 1969 to impress Phoebe, remains standing in all of its tower-ogling, bridge-bearing, three story glory, complete with a fire-breathing dragon.
Rye, Beulah and Wetmore Fire Departments responded to the blaze around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, along with Custer County Sheriff’s deputies, according to a Custer County Sheriff’s Office news release. The castle’s gift shop and small outbuilding were destroyed with an estimated total loss of $185,000 for the buildings and their contents.
The shop sold Renaissance and fantasy weaponry, costuming and accessories, dragon trinkets, original ornamental iron work and more.
The arson investigator determined the cause of the fire would be unknown but was most likely an electrical problem.
When Jim, 74, headed down to the castle to see the damage, he said the damage broke his heart.
“It was like a nightmare,” he said. “That gift shop was our rent. That was a good part of our livelihood. It’s probably my own fault. There was some wiring that I had that wasn’t quite exactly right.”
In 1959, when Jim was 15, he ventured out on a “pioneering adventure” with his dad, purchasing 2.5 acres of land in Rye, about an hour southwest of Pueblo.
“It was 10 years of ground work,” Jim said. “No chainsaws, just axes and an old pick-up truck.”
Now, visitors can come enjoy the spectacle of the handmade castle free of charge.
“Ain’t too many people who would make it free like that,” Jim said. “I was never a money person, but now that this happened, we’re asking people to donate all they can.”
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Bishop Castle is made up of iron and stone. Architect Jim Bishop, now 73, purchased this land for $1,250 in 1959 at the age of 15.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Made with wrought iron, windy staircases will weave up to the top of each tower in Bishop Castle.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
The main hall of the castle is decorated with stained glass and windowed ceilings.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
The main hall of the castle is decorated with stained glass and windowed ceilings.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
A dragon battles the view to be the main visual attraction, guarding Bishop Castle in its central position above the main hall.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
The castle reaches 160 feet at its highest point. Views overlook the San Isabel National Forest.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Bishop Castle reaches 160 feet at its highest point. Views overlook the San Isabel National Forest.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Steep stairs lead visitors up to the main hall of the castle, decorated with stained glass and windowed ceilings.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Bishop Castle reaches 160 feet at its highest point. Views overlook the San Isabel National Forest.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
The view from the bridge to the "guest house" in front of Bishop Castle.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Bishop Castle reaches 160 feet at its highest point. Views overlook the San Isabel National Forest.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
The "guest house" and entrance way to Bishop Castle.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Trinkets found in the "guest house" and entrance way to Bishop Castle.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Giant windows welcome visitors to Bishop Castle into its main hall several stories up.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Stained glass features are scattered around the castle, including this main hall window.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Take a look out of one of the many windows in the castle towers.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Made with wrought iron, windy staircases will weave up to the top of each tower in Bishop Castle.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Made with wrought iron, windy staircases will weave up to the top of each tower in Bishop Castle.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Steep stairs lead visitors up to the main hall of the castle, decorated with stained glass and windowed ceilings.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Jim Bishop has signs hung around the property, including ones that read "Climb at your own risk," "Please! No graffiti or tagging."
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
A gift shop near the entrance to the castle features a mural depicting Jim Bishop and his wife.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Made with wrought iron, windy staircases will weave up to the top of each tower in Bishop Castle.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Made with wrought iron, windy staircases will weave up to the top of each tower in Bishop Castle.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Bishop Castle attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Bishop Castle attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
Bishop Castle attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Lindsey Bartlett, The Denver Post
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Bishop Castle is made up of iron and stone. Architect Jim Bishop, now 73, purchased this land for $1,250 in 1959 at the age of 15.
“Phoebe’s got cancer real bad, and it just seems like one thing after another,” Jim said. “That’s the way life is. We’ve been through it all. This is just a place for people to go and laugh and have a good time, and we want that to keep happening.”
After being closed for the fire investigation, the main castle will reopen Friday at 9 a.m.
