Just months before the Texas Renaissance Festival was set to celebrate its 51st season, the community is mourning the death of the man who built it all: George Coulam.
Coulam, affectionately known to many as “King George,” was found dead in his home in Todd Mission early Wednesday morning. Authorities say his housekeeper discovered him around 9 a.m.
He lived less than a mile from the festival grounds he helped create. He was 87.
OUR FIRST REPORT: Texas Renaissance Festival founder George Coulam found dead at Todd Mission home
The Grimes County Sheriff’s Office and Todd Mission Police Department are jointly investigating his death. The city’s police chief confirmed the death is initially being investigated as a suicide.
Outside Coulam’s property, a heavy law enforcement presence was seen earlier today, with nearly a dozen unmarked vehicles entering and exiting the premises.
A Kingdom He Built
George Coulam founded the Texas Renaissance Festival in 1974, turning 55 acres of pine forest into one of the largest Renaissance fairs in the country.
For over five decades, it has drawn more than half a million visitors annually, becoming a fantasy destination for people around the world.
“I’ve been going since I was little,” said longtime attendee Yashodha Abeysingha. “It really is just like going into a fantasy realm where you leave everything behind.”
Abeysingha says the festival has fostered unique connections and memories, even recalling friends who travel from as far as Europe just to attend. “I only see them and talk to them at Renaissance Festival, and we’re actually good friends!” she said.
A Reign Marked by Recent Turmoil
Coulam’s final year was fraught with legal and personal setbacks.
In 2023, he entered into a $60 million agreement with potential investors to sell the festival and its grounds. However, the deal collapsed when Coulam reportedly failed to meet contractual obligations and show necessary paperwork.
The investors subsequently filed a lawsuit, and earlier this month, a Grimes County judge ruled in their favor—ordering the sale of Coulam’s properties and awarding more than $23 million in damages and legal fees.
Adding to the upheaval, Coulam lost his long-held position as mayor of Todd Mission in the most recent election—his first defeat since the city was incorporated in 1982. He was the city’s first and only mayor.
Despite the controversies, many in the community see Coulam as a visionary whose leadership transformed Todd Mission from a quiet town into a unique cultural hub.
“For the people that enjoy the festival and the nightlife after it, this will leave a hole in their hearts,” said supporter Cristobal Lopez.
Remembering a Legacy
The City of Todd Mission released a statement today, crediting Coulam’s work with putting the city on the map and expressing gratitude for his decades of service.
As the investigation into his death continues, questions remain about the future of the festival he spent his life building. But for thousands of fans and residents alike, George Coulam’s impact will not be forgotten.
