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
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. It can be reached from Wilkinson Boulevard north of U.S. 421. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Wilkinson Boulevard, Frankfort KY 40601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Buffalo Trace (within shouting distance of this marker); George T. Stagg Distillery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Building 28 (about 400 feet away); Albert B. Blanton (about 400 feet away); Buffalo Trace Distillery - - Warehouse C
this page online
Also see . . . Buffalo Trace Distillery. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 27, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
2. Buffalo Trace Distillery "Free House" Marker
"Eddie" our Tour Guide - - Going into the Warehouse
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
3. Long View - - Buffalo Trace Distillery Marker
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
4. Buffalo Trace Distillery Marker
Has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
5. Sign - - Buffalo Trace Distillery
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
6. One of the Wood Carved Buffalo - Visitor Center
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
7. From Visitor Center - - Warehouse
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
8. Buffalo Trace Distillery Buildings
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
9. Buffalo Trace Distillery Mural
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
10. Buffalo Trace Distillery - Plant Drive-way...
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
11. Historic Warehouse - - Buffalo Trace Distillery
The Historic Warehouse is yet in use with wall to wall inventory of maturing product..!
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
12. Other Buildings - - Buffalo Trace Distillery
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
13. Another Warehouse
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
14. Old Barrel Cart
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
15. Closer - - Barrel Cart
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
16. Historic View - - Old "Moon Shine" Still
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
17. Historic View - - Newer - Copper "Moon Shine" Still
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
18. Interior of a Warehouse . . .
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
19. Bottling Process - - Buffalo Trace Distillery
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
20. Lids On ......
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
21. Inspection - - Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
22. Applying the "" Bonded Seal "" . . .
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
23. Items involved....
Photographed by Ginger Drenning, August 25, 2009
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 Frankforts 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.”“
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 3,243 times since then and 33 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.
