The land composing the western side of the Park remained in the possession of the Butler family until 1859. During that time period, actual title was held by several members of the family at different times, either Percival Butler's wife, Mildred Hawkins Butler or his children, among whom the land was divided about 1833. In 1846, the estate was once more consolidated by the purchase of land owned by Wm. O. Butler's sister. In 1859, he sold the western part of the Park to Phillip Osborne Turpin, son-in-law of Major Thomas L. Butler. (Carroll Co. records Deed Book II, p. 385, Deed Book IV, p. 439-440, Deed Book III, p. 43) Soon after his purchase, Phillip O. Turpin built the brick residence known today as the Butler Mansion. The house was known at that time as the "Old Turpin farmhouse" ("Democrat", Aug. 7, 1880) and was built in 1859.

    Major Thomas L. Butler lived with his son-in-law in the home but had no claim to it or the surrounding grounds. In 1880 the farm was sold by Turpin to H. J. Whitehead and therefore passed through the hands of several owners until purchased and donated to the State of Kentucky by a group of citizens of Carrollton. (Deed Book 14, p. 372, Deed Book XXX, p. 420, Deed Book XXIV, p. 109, Deed Book XXXIV, p. 271)

    West of the log house was a spring (located at the foot of the slope and still in existence) The garden was located due west of the cemetery. A typical pioneer garden this was of utility and not beauty.

   This is a description of the only true and actual home of the "Butler" family on this land. ( Mr. Harron, the author,  further suggested that the original and actual Butler residence should be restored but this has never been done)

According to early documentation, the Butlers' first residence was located in the settlement of Port William. The settlement community was located near the confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio rivers. It was during this time their log house was being built.

    The Mansion itself has not changed in appearance except through age. However, the rear or kitchen wing of the house has been altered drastically. Originally of stone with a shingle roof, was approximately twice the length it is now. It was one and a half stories high with two rooms below. This rear wing was connected to the main residence by a roofed, open-sided gallery. The cistern was located just outside the kitchen, near it's present location.

    South of the kitchen wing was a smokehouse and a watercloset (outhouse). Further up the hill to the rear of the house was a henhouse.

    Some evidence has been submitted relative to slave or servant's quarters, in connection with the original log home and the mansion. No trace of foundations have been found to prove where these quarters lay.

    "The Park and house (now officially known as the Butler-Turpin House) are both associated with the family of General William O. Butler.  At least some of the land, including the land where the house sits and the old
Butler family cemetery, were part of Percival "Pierce" Butler's original land grant in what is now Carroll County, KY.  Percival Butler was William O. Butler's father.  The house, however, was built by Philip Turpin, who was married to Gen. Wm. O. Butler's niece.  As far as I know the only Butler to actually live in the Butler-Turpin House , aside from Mrs. Turpin who died shortly after she moved into the house, was Mrs. Turpin's father (Major Thomas L. Butler).  The Turpins sold the property in 1880. The fifth and final owners of the house (and the surrounding sixty acres) were John P. and Leola Kemper Fuller who lived there from 1918 until 1932."

Jeffrey Duvall, Gallatin Co. Mailing List, April 2007

     All photos taken April 2007 by Suzanne Shephard

Additional Photos and Information about this Park may be found at Northern Kentucky Views