History

The gift shop at Bishop Castle burned to the ground in March of 2018. Courtesy Photo

The gift shop at Bishop Castle burned to the ground in March of 2018. Courtesy Photo

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The Bishop Castle - Part 4 of 4

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
In April of 2015, David Merrill of Colorado Springs showed up at the Bishop’s door with a pile of paperwork. Jim and Phoebe knew him and he secured the signatures he requested, including the deed to the castle property. Phoebe said, “I was conned into signing over the deed”.
This full view picture of Bishop Castle shows the intricate detail. Courtesy Photo

This full view picture of Bishop Castle shows the intricate detail. Courtesy Photo

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The Bishop Castle - Part 3 of 4

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
The castle has attracted crowds from its beginning. On July 14, 1983, Jim and Phoebe received non-profit status from the State of Colorado. They transferred the land to ‘The Bishop Castle Non-Profit Corporation and the Bishop Castle Foundation Fund for Newborn Heart Surgery’.
Bishop Castle is a popular stop along Highway 165 and has been featured in several national articles and shows. Courtesy Photo

Bishop Castle is a popular stop along Highway 165 and has been featured in several national articles and shows. Courtesy Photo

The Bishop Castle - Part 1 of 4

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Since 1969, James R. ‘Jim’ Bishop has found, hauled and set by hand over 1,000 ton of rocks to construct his castle. Born in 1944, he is the oldest son of Willard Lee Vincent and Pauline A. Perse Bishop. Willard was born in Indiana and Pauline in Pueblo both in 1919.
A tract of land was traded for a parcel directly south of Gobblers Knob, north of Ophir Creek, near Froze creek. It was this land, along with other acquistions that became Tomkins Mountain Meadow Ranch. Courtesy Photo

A tract of land was traded for a parcel directly south of Gobblers Knob, north of Ophir Creek, near Froze creek. It was this land, along with other acquistions that became Tomkins Mountain Meadow Ranch. Courtesy Photo

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The Tomkins Brothers - Part 3 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
The Tomkins Brothers Henry Hunt Jr. and Carrie Tomkins lived in Denver where he brokered stock sales. His father, Henry lived in Custer County until his death in 1925. Henry Sr. is buried in Rosita.
Thomas Lewis Hunt and his niece Julia Schaale. Courtesy Photo

Thomas Lewis Hunt and his niece Julia Schaale. Courtesy Photo

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The Tomkins Brothers - Part 2 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
TThe Tomkins Brothers In 1903, John William ‘Billy’ Goss became a partner of H.H. Tomkins with half interest. Billy lived with his family on the Blake Ranch near Lime for a number of years.
Tomkins Hardware still exists on Main Street in picturesque Creede, CO. It was established in 1892 and is just one of several hardware stores the Tomkins Brothers owned. Courtesy Photo

Tomkins Hardware still exists on Main Street in picturesque Creede, CO. It was established in 1892 and is just one of several hardware stores the Tomkins Brothers owned. Courtesy Photo

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The Tomkins Brothers - Part 1 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
The Tomkins Brothers Henry Hunt and Lewis Hunt Tomkins settled in Colorado and invested heavily in the state’s mercantile, banking, cattle and lumber businesses. The Tomkins Cattle Company had a large ranch along what is now Highway 165 which was called the Tomkins Mountain Meadow Ranch.
Leo Nello Brassea and Angelica Pinamonte rode into Florence on Christmas Day in 1923 where they were married. Courtesy Photo

Leo Nello Brassea and Angelica Pinamonte rode into Florence on Christmas Day in 1923 where they were married. Courtesy Photo

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The Brassea Family - Part 3 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
The Brassea Family Leo Nello Brassea Nello was born in Starkville, Colorado and attended school there until the age of twelve, when his family purchased their ranch. Angelica described her husband’s education, “That ended his formal schooling, but he never quit learning.
Frederico Viola married Natalina Brassea in 1905. After her death, he married her sister Margaret “Maggie” Viola. 1920 Federal Census records show Frederico and Maggie living in Radiant, CO where he worked in the pictured Radiant Mine. Courtesy Photo by Linda Reiger

Frederico Viola married Natalina Brassea in 1905. After her death, he married her sister Margaret “Maggie” Viola. 1920 Federal Census records show Frederico and Maggie living in Radiant, CO where he worked in the pictured Radiant Mine. Courtesy Photo by Linda Reiger

The Brassea Family - Part 2 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
The Brassea Family John R. Brassea John Brassea was born in Italy and immigrated to Starkville, Colorado as a small child. He moved with his family to the ‘FK Drake Ranch’ where he worked with his father and brothers.
This family settled on the Drake Ranch in Custer County, the Drake post office became the Keating Post Office on their land. Courtesy Photo by Linda Reiger

This family settled on the Drake Ranch in Custer County, the Drake post office became the Keating Post Office on their land. Courtesy Photo by Linda Reiger

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The Brassea Family - Part 1 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
James Brassea was born in 1865 in Milan, Italy. He married Magdalena Satenga. She was born in 1864 in Muriaglio, Italy, also on the Northern Italian border near France. The couple had two children born in Italy, John R. in 1886 and Natalina in 1888.
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