San Isabel

A short drive from Pueblo into the San Isabel National Forest will lead you to a narrow, dirt road through the mountains. Twelve miles in you will find the tiny village of Beaulah, Colorado...and their most talked about resident and anti-government radical, Mr. Jim Bishop.

We found Bishop's Castle on Route 165 in the National Forest, perched on about 2.5 acres right on the side of a steep mountain. Mr. Bishop single handedly built the castle, and has continued to do so for over 30 years. We stumbled across Mr. Bishop stirring a small fire near the base of the castle. His beat up Nissan blaring National "Propaganda" Radio. Jim introduced himself as the creator and owner of the eccentric masterpiece looming behind him.Mr. Bishop is a short, scruffy man with the soils of his labor stained on his clothes. He greets each visitor to his castle with a short commentary on the evils of the United States "Corporation" and encourages each passerby to take action against those who are out to get us. Bishop admits that his crazy rants and radical ravings give him a bad name and strange looks from those who claim to be Republicans. He is so passionate about his opinions that he even resorts to taking out his dentures, in order to get his point across (without spitting his teeth halfway across the yard). Bishop's topics dont just cover politics and government...he also has time for a few dirty old man jokes and entertaining stories about different mishaps that he's encountered during his years building the castle.

We gathered around his small fire with several other beatniks and discussed the pitfalls of the government and riding to Hell on small tricycles. And after a few laughs we bid Mr. Bishop and his very curious creation farewell. If you find yourself in the south central region of Colorado, be sure to stop by and sit a spell with Mr. Bishop and enjoy the medieval intrigue of his fascinating castle.