Martin Castle facts for kids
The Kentucky Castle, also known as the Castle Post, is a real-life castle located in Versailles, Kentucky. It sits on a large property of about 50 acres (20 hectares). This unique building looks out over the Elkhorn Creek area, right on the border between Woodford and Fayette counties. Construction on the castle began in 1969. Today, it operates as a special hotel (a bed and breakfast) and a place for events. It also has a restaurant that uses fresh food from local farms. Since 2017, new owners have been working to update and improve the castle.
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History of the Kentucky Castle
Building a Dream Castle
The idea for the Kentucky Castle came from a couple named Rex and Caroline Martin. They were real estate developers. In 1969, they started building the castle after visiting Germany. They were very inspired by the amazing buildings and architecture they saw in Europe. Their plan for the finished castle included seven bedrooms, fifteen bathrooms, a fancy fountain in the driveway, and a tennis court.
However, in 1975, the Martins got divorced. They left the castle unfinished. For many years, the half-built castle became a popular and strange sight. People would often stop by the road to take pictures of it. Rex Martin tried to sell it in 1988, but he passed away in 2003 without finding a buyer.
A New Owner and a Fire
In 2003, the castle, sometimes called "Martin Castle," was finally sold. A lawyer from Miami named Thomas R. Post bought it for $1.8 million. He had gone to the University of Kentucky. Mr. Post changed the castle's name to "The Castle Post." There had been many ideas for the castle before he bought it. Some people thought it might become a medieval-themed restaurant or even a museum.
Mr. Post began renovating the castle. But on May 10, 2004, something terrible happened. A fire broke out in the main building. It was caused by newly installed wood and electrical wiring. Mr. Post was at his home in Miami at the time. Even though he had already spent months fixing up the castle, he promised to rebuild it. The reconstruction project ended up costing about twice the castle's original price.
Rebuilding and New Features
The rebuilding of the Kentucky Castle was finished in the fall of 2008. Many new things were added to the castle during this time. These additions included twelve fancy hotel suites, a library, a game room, and a music room. There was also a large dining hall and a ballroom for events. Outside, they added a swimming pool, a beautiful formal garden, a basketball court, and a bar. The tennis court was also rebuilt.
Today, the castle is used for many different things. It works as a hotel for tourists. It also hosts special events like weddings and fundraisers. Companies use it for business meetings too. The castle has sixteen bedrooms in total. Four of these special bedrooms are located in the outside turrets, which are tall, round towers.
In November 2010, the castle was put up for sale again. It was listed for $30,000,000. Mr. Post said he would continue to run it as a hotel while it was for sale. The castle was eventually sold in 2017 to its current owners.
