Butler-Turpin Historic House:

The Butler-Turpin State Historic House, built in 1859, by Major Thomas Langford Butler and his family Mary Ellen and Phillip Turpin is a place of remembrance for generations of soldiers who won notoriety for their exploits in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Great Civil War. Percival Butler, son of an Irish immigrant gunsmith and one of five brothers known as the "Fighting Butlers" of the Continental Army, was aide to General Marquee De Lafayette when the British surrendered at Yorktown. Washington himself bore testimony when he gave the historic toast: "To the Butlers and their five sons;" and Lafayette superbly supplemented this with: "When I wanted a thing done well, I had a Butler do it. The Butler Family In America. The Revolutionary War hero originally migrated from Pennsylvania to Jessamine County Kentucky and later to the mouth of the Kentucky River known today as Carrollton. Percival and his wife Mildred Hawkins built a log house in the 1790's on land that is now General Butler State Resort Park. Governor Isaac Shelby appointed Butler, 1st Adjutant General of Kentucky. It is from this home he performed the duties of the position he held for 24 years. All five of Percival's sons fought in the War of 1812. His eldest son, Thomas Langford Butler, was aide-de-camp to General Andrew Jackson. William Orlando Butler, his second son, was a hero of the Battle of New Orleans, winning Jackson's personal gratitude praising Butler's contributions, ".on all occasions he displayed that heroic chivalry and calmness of judgment in the midst of danger which distinguished the valuable officer in the hour of battle". President Polk recalled William Orlando Butler to fight in the Mexican War as one of six Major Generals. After the war Butler was presented with a gold sword from the President of the United States and a silver sword from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Both swords were made by the renowned Ames Sword Company. Butler's heroics at the Battle of Monterey also won him the Democratic vice-presidential nomination in 1848 on a ticket with General Lewis Cass. By the time the Civil War began the Butler Family was as divided as the state. General William Orlando Butler, the park's namesake, was married to Eliza Todd, 2nd cousin to Mary Todd Lincoln. Through marriage, military background or both, in 1861 Butler served as delegate to the "Peace Convention" at Washington. The modest farm of 124 acres, located near the mouth of the Kentucky River, has served three generations as gathering place for one of Kentucky's foremost military families. Plain and fancy describes this fine old country home with its simplistic facade but grand interior Greek Revival woodwork. Original military documents, family heirlooms along with stories of patriotism bring life to the legend of the "Gallant Butlers". The Butler Family Cemetery located on the grounds includes soldiers from as early as Colonial times through the Civil War.

The resort is located 44 miles northeast of Louisville. From Louisville, take I-71 to Carrollton. If you are coming from the Huntington area traveling west off of I-64, take the Industrial park exit (RT 67), drive approximately 8 miles to the RT 207 exit, take a left onto 207, drive 3 miles to RT. 1 take a left and travel approximately 5 miles to the park entrance which is 1711.