Bishop's Palace

The Bishop's Palace is a four-story stone building in Victorian style with elaborate carvings in wood, bronze dragons, and colored glass windows spread across about 1773 square meters (19,082 square feet). The rooms unfold over multiple levels and display intricately crafted ceilings, fireplaces, and door frames.

Lawyer Walter Gresham had the building constructed between 1887 and 1892 for himself and his family. During the Galveston hurricane in 1900, the house sheltered hundreds of survivors.

The name comes from Bishop Christopher Edward Byrne, who acquired the residence in 1923 and lived there until 1950. Visitors today can step into ornately decorated rooms and see elaborate woodwork, ceiling frescoes, and colored glass windows arranged as they were originally.

The building is open daily for self-guided tours that let you explore the different floors at your own pace. Most rooms are reached by stairs, so the visit works best for guests with good mobility.

The basement level, once home to servant quarters and the kitchen, now houses a small shop selling historical books and souvenirs. Visitors can also find information material there about the architecture and the people who lived here.

Location: Texas

Location: Galveston County

Location: Galveston

Inception: 1893

Architects: Nicholas J. Clayton

Architectural style: Victorian architecture

Address: 1402 Broadway

Website: http://galvestonhistory.org/attractions/architectural-heritage/bishops-palace

GPS coordinates: 29.30306,-94.78222

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:08