PUEBLO — The creator and builder of Bishop Castle, James (Jim) Roland Bishop passed away. The Bishop family announced that Mr Bishop died on Thursday in Pueblo, surrounded by his loved ones.
Bishop Castle is located north of Rye Colorado and attracts thousands of visitors every year. One of Mr. Bishop sons, Dan Bishop said the castle has had an impact on many people in Southern Colorado.
Mr. Bishop spent 44 years of his life building the castle. It is now a staple of the state's history and leaves a 180-foot-tall legacy for his family.
Bishop Castle rests behind tall pine trees and is guarded by friendly goats. The castle stands as a mighty fortress, inviting those with an adventure spirit to come inside.
“Spectacular something you'll never see anywhere else,” Dan Bishop said.
The one of a kind unique design is a testament to its creator James Bishop.
“This castle was everything to him, and his greatest enjoyment in life was watching people enjoy it,” Dan Bishop said.
Dan said this was his fathers life’s work.
“His whole life has been Bishop castle. They had his love for my mom and love for the family, but we all just took a little bit of a back seat to this all the years he did it,” Dan Bishop said.
At Bishop Castle you will find painted glass windows and metal walkways outlining the castles curves. many visitors who come inside the castle will climb winding spiral staircases.
“Most people love it, and just the nature of it keeps people hanging on and being careful, and I'm of the opinion that's what makes it safe, is that it's scary enough that you don't just take it for granted,” Dan Bishop said.
True daredevils will adventure up on one of the castles three tall towers, and if you're brave enough to walk on one of the balconies, you will get beautiful views of the San Isabel National Forest.
Dan encourages everyone to explore.
“My favorite part of the castle, though, would be the dragon. I got it burning again this summer, so it burns fire. I got more work to do to it. I'm hoping that I get it all set up like I really want it for a memorial service here in the spring for him,” Dan Bishop said.
People come from all over to take pictures, but Dan hopes to honor his father, visitors will leave with a sense of wonderment.
“I think a lot of people leave here just like, I can't imagine doing that, and I that's probably what he was after, more than anything, just to be able to say he did something that most people couldn't even imagine doing. And if that was it, he succeeded at,” Dan Bishop said.
As long as this castle has stood, Mr. Bishop never charged visitors to go inside. It has always been free to explore.
Services will be announced at a later date.
The castle began its ever-evolving facade in 1971 which began as a 40-foot metal cylinder encased in stone. By 1972 Bishop was determined to build his castle and the project took shape, changing and continuing to grow through the years.
The castle features a fire-breathing dragon of stone and metal, is three stories of interior rooms, and soaring towers, and has views from above over the San Isabel National Forest.
WATCH: The Man behind the legendary Bishop Castle
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