bishop castle | wetmore, colorado

Started in 1969, Bishop Castle, is one man's 40 year crusade to build and finish his very own castle before he dies. Located in the middle of nowhere, Jim Bishop has single-handedly gathered and set over 1000 tons of rock to create this stone and iron fortress. He has no thought of slowing down. Although the castle is mostly a hollow shell of cemented rocks and ornamental ironwork, his future plans include a moat and a drawbridge, a roller coaster mounted on the castle's outer wall, a balcony big enough to hold an orchestra, and a second castle for Phoebe, his wife. 

Bishop spent years fighting the government over various issues, including his use of "rocks" taken from the protected San Isabel National Forest. Bishop felt that they were his for the taking, the government wanted to charge him per truckload. Bishop also had issues with the Colorado Chamber of Commerce for not listing him as an attraction in their tourism guide. Happily, the angry battles are in the past; however, their memory still lives on in the form of unfiltered, angry, hand painted signs placed all over the property.  

With its fancily decorated, ornate iron rails and balconies, and stunning stained glass windows, there is no debating the castle is an impressive piece of art in the most colossal form. Mr. Bishop is an extremely talented man.

I tried climbing the stairs to the top, but WAY too afraid of heights! This picture was taken halfway up – right before I turned around!!
The castle's dragon, made from recycled metal hospital trays, shoots fire with the aid of a burner from a hot air balloon.