[Historic Marker Application: Bishop's Palace] Page: 3 of 14
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AnsWer the following questions as accurately and completely as possible when ordering a:
TEXAS HISTORICAL BUILDING MEDALLION AND INTERPRETIVE PLATE.
1 When was the structure built? (Exact date, if possible) 1886 (date carved in three places on
the structure)
2. If it took more than one year to build, when was it completed? Officially opened Jan. 1, 1893
3. Who was the builder? Walter Gresham
4. What materials went into its construction? Exterior - granite, limestone and red sandstone.
Interior - antiqued oak, black walnut with burl paneling, white mahogany
with satinwood panels, and oak
5. Who was the architect (if known)? Nicholas Joseph Clayton
6. What Architectural period can this structure be classified into? (Gothic, Victorian, Spanish, etc.) Victorian -
American Adaptation of the Renaissance.
7. What distinguishing features, on exterior or interior does it have? The structure is built of gray
sandstone for the body of the house, with pink & blue granite in mosaic work.
The roof is Baltimore Spanialh ti with grotengne fi gres nf the same material.
(St. Louis Post Dispatch, Sept. 26, 1909)
8. Was the location of the structure significant when it was built? Yes . If so, how?
Highest point of sea level on Galveston Island, and Broadway was the locale
of the must beautiful residences of the City.
9. Give details of the life of the builder, where he was from, why he settled here, what family he had, were
they famous, etc. Walter Gresham - See attached pages.
10. How many generations have lived in this structure? Two Gresham generations
11. If a church or public building, give details and circumstances under which it was founded.
12. If a business establishment, what was sold or produced here?
13. What is the timing of the structure in the community (the first one, etc)? The home was built at the
time of the height of prosperity in the City and Port of Galveston.
14. Have famous people lived or visited here? Yes . Give details. President Benjamin Harrison
is said to have visited in this home when the Port of Galveston was
developed. (See attached pages)
15. What events important to the area, region, or Texas have occurred here? This home was a social
gathering spot for the elite of Texas in government, business and social
life of the community and state.-3-
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Texas Historical Commission. [Historic Marker Application: Bishop's Palace], text, September 5, 1967; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth477728/m1/3/?q=%221967%22: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Commission.