Frankfort in Franklin County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Free House
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, January 1, 2006
1. Buffalo Trace Free House Marker
Inscription.
Free House. Buffalo Trace Distillery. , In the early days of whiskey production, a tax was levied on the product as soon as it left the still. Knowing that bourbon improved through aging, distilleries convinced the government that the tax should not fall due until the maturation process had ended. The government relented and gave distilleries two years before the tax would fall due. If, at the end of two years, the distilleries did not have a customer for the whiskey, they had to pay the tax. At this point the bourbon was removed from the bonded warehouse and stored in the free house, so named because the whiskey was now "free" of tax.
In the early days of whiskey production, a tax was levied on the product as soon as it left the still. Knowing that bourbon improved through aging, distilleries convinced the government that the tax should not fall due until the maturation process had ended. The government relented and gave distilleries two years before the tax would fall due. If, at the end of two years, the distilleries did not have a customer for the whiskey, they had to pay the tax. At this point the bourbon was removed from the bonded warehouse and stored in the free house, so named because the whiskey was now "free" of tax.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 38° 12.973′ N, 84° 52.271′ W. Marker is in Frankfort, Kentucky, in Franklin County. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Wilkinson Boulevard, Frankfort KY 40601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
24. Wider View - - Old Steam Power House - Built 1890
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
25. Long View - - Old Steam Power House - Built 1890
It is the building on the left in the photo. (Click photo to see details.)
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
26. Colonel Albert Bacon Blanton - Statue
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
27. Long View - - Colonel Albert Bacon Blanton - Statue
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
28. Close Up - - Colonel Albert Bacon Blanton - Statue Only
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
29. Base Only - - Colonel Albert Bacon Blanton - Statue
It Reads:: ""Colonel Albert Bacon Blanton""
""Loved and respected. Master Distiller and true Kentucky Gentleman. He dedicated 55 years of his life to the service of his community and his company. That his inspired leadership may live in the minds of those with whom hi lived, and of those who follow, this memorial is erected with gratitude and honor.""
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
30. Other View - - Colonel Albert Bacon Blanton - Statue
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
31. The Old Guest House - - Built 1935 - Old'er Logs
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
32. Sign - - The Old Guest House - - Built 1935 - Old'er Logs
“”All Visitors Welcome”“
“”Built in 1935 from Century-Old log cabins, we designed the cabin to be used as guest quarters for out of town visitors to the distillery.
Back then, all of Frankfort’s Hotels would sell out when the State Legislature was in session, and we needed somewhere for our visitors to stay.
Inside, you will see the beautiful craftsmanship that went into building the cabin, as well as many historic photographs. Today, the building is used as offices.”“
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
33. Other View - - The Old Guest House - - Built 1935 - Old'er Logs
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
34. Another View - - The Old Guest House - - Built 1935 - Old'er Logs
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
35. Recreational Area Fire Place - Near Guest House
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
36. Stone Over - Recreational Area Fire Place
It reads:: ""This tablet erected by the employees of the Geo. T. Stagg Co. to the Executives of Schenley in appreciation of their interest and efforts in making this Recreational Center possible. May 1936""
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
37. Long View - - Employee Memorial
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
38. Close Up - - Employee Memorial
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
39. From Fire Place to The Old Guest House
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
40. Wood Carved Buffalo
Photographed By Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
41. Other View - - Wood Carved Buffalo
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,754 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on September 12, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. Photos:1. submitted on September 26, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. submitted on September 6, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41. submitted on September 26, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.