GALVESTON, Texas -- One of the griffins that stands guard outside Galveston’s famed Bishop’s Palace is missing. And while the mythical beast does have wings, officials doubt the cast-iron adornment flew off from one of the island’s biggest tourist attractions.

Galveston Historical Foundation

This is a photo of one of two griffins that are more than 100 years old that sit outside the main entrance of the Bishop's Palace in Galveston. One of the 100-plus pound cast-iron ornaments was stolen from the tourist attraction.

Only one of the 116-year-old, metallic creatures remain at the front entrance of the former home of the head of the Galveston-Houston Catholic Diocese.

Officials with the Galveston Historical Foundation said it would take at least two people to move the statue.

“It weighed 100 pounds or more, easily,” said Jami Durham, assistant director of historic properties for the foundation.
Officials reported the theft Tuesday morning.

Durham said she noticed the sculpted beast missing when she walked up to the front of the mansion.

“It was the first thing I noticed,” she said.

However, Durham also said she believed the theft occurred sometime Thursday night.

“One of our workers told me he saw it missing Friday,” she said. “He thought we had taken it in for repair work.”

Police described as griffin as about 34 inches tall, with raised lettering on the bottom that reads, “J.L. Mott Iron Works NY.”

Police asked anyone with information on the stolen sculpture’s whereabouts to call (409) 765-3773.