Curt Teich Postcard

.....Construction was started in 1886 and finished in 1893, by Colonel Walter Gresham, a lawyer, railroad magnate, and politician.

.....The building architect was Nicholas J. Clayton. The gargoyles, lions, dragons and other were carved by Richard Fealey, the sculptor for the Texas capitol building. The house is constructed of limestone, pink granite, gray granite, and red sandstone.

.....In 1923 the Galveston Catholic Diocese of Galveston-Houston purchased the building as a residence for the Bishop of the Diocese. Bishop Christopher Byrne was the only Bishop to actually live in the house. He passed away in 1950 and the house was open to the public as a museum in 1963.

Today the building is open for tours.