1892 Bishop’s Palace

Galveston has plenty of beautiful homes, but only one palace.

Bishop’s Palace was built between 1887 and 1892 for lawyer and congressman Walter Gresham, his wife Josephine, and their seven children.

With 52 rooms across 19,086 square feet, there was plenty of space for the whole family, and eventually, after the Catholic Church purchased it in 1923, a bishop.

This “Broadway beauty” was a true custom build with each detail carefully chosen by Nicholas Clayton, Galveston’s most influential architect.

Picture a party in the parlor, admire hand-carved woodwork throughout, and look up to find a dining room ceiling mural, painted by Josephine herself – the ultimate Gilded Age DIY project.

At the heart of the home, walk the octagonal mahogany rotunda staircase that rises beneath French stained glass, surrounded by finishes from Venice, Holland, and North Africa. A statement staircase, to say the least.

The property also comes with a few conversation pieces, including Josephine’s china collection, original bed, Walter’s desk, and Bishop Byrne’s player piano.

Step outside and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Galveston’s East End Historic District, a neighborhood of colorful historic homes situated among lush landscaping, with the Gulf only a few blocks South.

But even in one of the country’s great collections of 19th-century homes, Bishop’s Palace stands out, a one-of-a-kind blend of elaborate craftsmanship, Texan influence, and Gilded Age ambition. They truly don’t make them like this anymore.