Perry Park, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Perry Park is an unincorporated community
, country club
and golf resort
in Owen County
, Kentucky
, near Owenton
and Carrollton
. It is located one hour southwest of Cincinnati
, one hour northwest of Lexington
, and forty-five minutes east of Louisville
, and lies on the Kentucky River
. It is one of the more popular golf resorts in the area and has a long history. It is very secluded and private and is thus relatively unknown to most people. The bed and breakfast
"Glenwood Hall
" was originally constructed as a plantation
, where tobacco
or possibly soy according to some sources, was grown and shipped to the rest of the United States
by the Kentucky River. Perry Park is also noted for its low crime rate and for the fact that it is a gated community
with staffed security guards at all entrances.
, particularly the Iroquois
. The first Caucasian
to enter the current land of Perry Park, was Jacob Drennon, a land surveyor, working for James McAfee. He had heard legend of a healing spring there, and was led by an Indian to the area. He made the first land claim there, and called it, "Lick Skillet", because the men were so hungry, that when they received their rations, they licked their skillets clean. Kentucky became a state in 1792, and thus more settlers came in, including a former soldier of the American Revolutionary War
, Benjamin Perry. He, his children and grandchildren moved to Perry Park from Virginia
sometime around 1810, along with the Berryman family. In 1832, Benjamin Perry's grandson, Washington Perry, and his wife Martha, built a house called "Wildwood". For an undetermined cause, they did not reside in that house for long. At some point between 1830 and 1850 the current house "Glenwood Hall" was built. Glenwood Hall is still in use today as a bed and breakfast and dining hall. The other plantation that was formerly located in Perry Park, was the Inverness. Also a tobacco plantation, it was built by Thomas A. Berryman, and was named after his wife Lucy's birthplace, Inverness
, Scotland
. Sadly the Inverness House was burned down by arsonists in the 1980s. The Perrys and the Berrymans were known for their parties, and had many visitors due to the springs near their homes. In 1849, nearly 1000 guests visited the springs, most likely stopping to see one of the two families. Not everything was good about the lives of the Perrys. One of their children, Merton, died of an unknown cause at the age of 10. Two other children and a servant were possibly killed by a fire, before the Civil War. It is said they are still playing in the attic, and there are numerous reports of strange occurrences. By the time of the American Civil War
, Washington, being a slave holder most likely supported the Confederate States of America
, yet we do not know for certain which side he chose. During the Civil War there were a number of minor Confederate guerrilla movements in the area. Surprisingly, records show that even though he lost all his slaves, Washington Perry was more prosperous after the war. Washington Perry died in 1875, Martha in 1893 and are buried at Port Royal Cemetery in Henry County, Kentucky
. Their neighbors, the Berrymans, are buried at a family cemetery inside the park. Washington's grandson, Perry Minor, son of George Church Minor and Mary Perry, was given the house after Washington's death. He lived there until 1933. Sometime during his time as master of the house, it is believed that Grover Cleveland
sat on a chair, still located in the house. While this may be rumor, the Cleveland campaign of 1884, did attack James G. Blaine
with stories of wrongdoings to a young woman at Perry Park. In 1933, John Perry, another one of Washington's grandchildren, bought the entire area, built a post office, and named the community Perry Park, after himself. The community, flourished in the 20th century, with many hotels and restaurants springing up, that have since been demolished. One entertaining story tells of a cook "Aunt" Rose Brown, who found a gold nugget
in a turkey breast. Between 1970 and 1990 the land was converted into a golf resort, and Glenwood Hall was turned into a bed and breakfast and dining hall. Tours of Glenwood Hall are not conducted, though it is possible to stay in the house, and view the historic rooms.
, and there are hundreds or thousands of them in the area. Raccoons, possums, and birds such as cardinals
are also frequently seen in the area, and the surrounding forests. Perry Park is located at coordinates 38°32′53"N 84°59′59"W.
party, in which golf carts are decorated and paraded through the Park. There is also an annual auction at Glenwood Hall, held to raise money for Breast Cancer
, it is named after a local citizen, Shellie Von Hoene, who died due to Breast Cancer a few years ago. Also there are annual pool opening and closing parties held each year on Memorial Day
and Labor Day
, respectively. The local music group, Joe and the Joettes perform at most events.
, hamburgers etc. Inside Glenwood Hall is the Perry Park Restaurant. It serves food buffet
style, and regularly serves food such as roast beef
, ham
, mashed potatoes, and daily serves a rising bread made with garlic butter. The head cooks, Iris and Myra, along with assistant chefs Marty and Brenda, serve a different meal each evening. For breakfast
they also serve fare such as biscuits and gravy
, bacon
, french toast
, sausage
and more. The breakfast buffet stays the same each morning. Because of its geographical location, Perry Park, much like Louisville, has a mixture of Southern
, Midwestern
and Northeastern Cuisine
where they died is supposedly the most haunted room in the house, but other rooms are said to be haunted as well. At night many people report hearing children playing in the attic above their room, others report hearing the grand piano in the parlor playing at night, only to find no one is there, and all the doors are locked. Voices are frequently heard by employees, and one time, when the power went out, there were reports of a child-like voice yelling "Daddy!". There are also unconfirmed reports of a Native American Chief, who haunts the area, and is said to still hunt in the forests where wildlife is still just as abundant as it was 200 years ago. Residents and guests have mentioned, while strolling the grounds after dark, of hearing the ghostly sounds of horses and wagons making their way on Perry Parks roads and pathways.
, with 9 different golf packages. It has a par
of 72 and 5 sets of tee
s ranging from 7355 to 4000 yards. Also nearby is historic Carrollton, General Butler State Park and house and the newly opened Elk Creek Vinyards, Kentucky's largest winery
which features many Kentucky wines. There are many casino
s off park grounds that are within 30 minutes drive of the golf resort
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
, country club
Country club
A country club is a private club, often with a closed membership, that typically offers a variety of recreational sports facilities and is located in city outskirts or rural areas. Activities may include, for example, any of golf, tennis, swimming or polo...
and golf resort
Golf resort
Golf resorts are resorts that cater specifically to the sport of golf, and include access to one or more golf course and or clubhouse. Golf resorts typically provide golf packages that provide visitors with all greens and cart fees, range balls, luxury accommodations and...
in Owen County
Owen County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,547 people, 4,086 households, and 2,995 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 5,345 housing units at an average density of...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, near Owenton
Owenton, Kentucky
Owenton is a city in Owen County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,387 at the 2000 census and was estimated at 1,461 in 2009. It is the county seat of Owen County...
and Carrollton
Carrollton, Kentucky
Carrollton is a town in Carroll County, Kentucky, at the confluence of the Ohio River and the Kentucky River. Its population was 3,846 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carroll County....
. It is located one hour southwest of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, one hour northwest of Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, and forty-five minutes east of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, and lies on the Kentucky River
Kentucky River
The Kentucky River is a tributary of the Ohio River, long, in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The river and its tributaries drain much of the central region of the state, with its upper course passing through the coal-mining regions of the Cumberland Mountains, and its lower course passing through the...
. It is one of the more popular golf resorts in the area and has a long history. It is very secluded and private and is thus relatively unknown to most people. The bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
"Glenwood Hall
Glenwood Hall
Glenwood Hall, located in Perry Park, Kentucky is a Georgian Style brick plantation built in 1832 by Washington Perry son of Benjamen Head Perry II. His grandfather Benjamin Head Perry I was a Revolutionary War veteran and was granted land in what is now Owen County, Kentucky...
" was originally constructed as a plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
, where tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
or possibly soy according to some sources, was grown and shipped to the rest of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by the Kentucky River. Perry Park is also noted for its low crime rate and for the fact that it is a gated community
Gated community
In its modern form, a gated community is a form of residential community or housing estate containing strictly-controlled entrances for pedestrians, bicycles, and automobiles, and often characterized by a closed perimeter of walls and fences. Gated communities usually consist of small residential...
with staffed security guards at all entrances.
History
The current land that is now Perry Park was originally used as hunting grounds by Native AmericansNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, particularly the Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
. The first Caucasian
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
to enter the current land of Perry Park, was Jacob Drennon, a land surveyor, working for James McAfee. He had heard legend of a healing spring there, and was led by an Indian to the area. He made the first land claim there, and called it, "Lick Skillet", because the men were so hungry, that when they received their rations, they licked their skillets clean. Kentucky became a state in 1792, and thus more settlers came in, including a former soldier of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, Benjamin Perry. He, his children and grandchildren moved to Perry Park from Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
sometime around 1810, along with the Berryman family. In 1832, Benjamin Perry's grandson, Washington Perry, and his wife Martha, built a house called "Wildwood". For an undetermined cause, they did not reside in that house for long. At some point between 1830 and 1850 the current house "Glenwood Hall" was built. Glenwood Hall is still in use today as a bed and breakfast and dining hall. The other plantation that was formerly located in Perry Park, was the Inverness. Also a tobacco plantation, it was built by Thomas A. Berryman, and was named after his wife Lucy's birthplace, Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Sadly the Inverness House was burned down by arsonists in the 1980s. The Perrys and the Berrymans were known for their parties, and had many visitors due to the springs near their homes. In 1849, nearly 1000 guests visited the springs, most likely stopping to see one of the two families. Not everything was good about the lives of the Perrys. One of their children, Merton, died of an unknown cause at the age of 10. Two other children and a servant were possibly killed by a fire, before the Civil War. It is said they are still playing in the attic, and there are numerous reports of strange occurrences. By the time of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Washington, being a slave holder most likely supported the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
, yet we do not know for certain which side he chose. During the Civil War there were a number of minor Confederate guerrilla movements in the area. Surprisingly, records show that even though he lost all his slaves, Washington Perry was more prosperous after the war. Washington Perry died in 1875, Martha in 1893 and are buried at Port Royal Cemetery in Henry County, Kentucky
Henry County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,060 people, 5,844 households, and 4,330 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 6,381 housing units at an average density of...
. Their neighbors, the Berrymans, are buried at a family cemetery inside the park. Washington's grandson, Perry Minor, son of George Church Minor and Mary Perry, was given the house after Washington's death. He lived there until 1933. Sometime during his time as master of the house, it is believed that Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
sat on a chair, still located in the house. While this may be rumor, the Cleveland campaign of 1884, did attack James G. Blaine
James G. Blaine
James Gillespie Blaine was a U.S. Representative, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, U.S. Senator from Maine, two-time Secretary of State...
with stories of wrongdoings to a young woman at Perry Park. In 1933, John Perry, another one of Washington's grandchildren, bought the entire area, built a post office, and named the community Perry Park, after himself. The community, flourished in the 20th century, with many hotels and restaurants springing up, that have since been demolished. One entertaining story tells of a cook "Aunt" Rose Brown, who found a gold nugget
Gold nugget
A gold nugget is a naturally occurring piece of native gold. Watercourses often concentrate and grow the nuggets. Nuggets are recovered by placer mining, but they are also found in residual deposits where the gold-bearing veins or lodes are weathered...
in a turkey breast. Between 1970 and 1990 the land was converted into a golf resort, and Glenwood Hall was turned into a bed and breakfast and dining hall. Tours of Glenwood Hall are not conducted, though it is possible to stay in the house, and view the historic rooms.
Geography and Wildlife
Perry Park rests on the Kentucky River, which surrounds it on two sides. It is mostly flat, but is surrounded by mountains. Its many rolling hills are perfectly suited for golfing. There are several lakes in the area, the largest of which is "Holliday Lake". Wildlife is also very abundant in the park; the symbol of Perry Park is the DeerDeer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, and there are hundreds or thousands of them in the area. Raccoons, possums, and birds such as cardinals
Cardinal (bird)
The Cardinals or Cardinalidae are a family of passerine birds found in North and South America. The South American cardinals in the genus Paroaria are placed in another family, the Thraupidae ....
are also frequently seen in the area, and the surrounding forests. Perry Park is located at coordinates 38°32′53"N 84°59′59"W.
Local Events
Several events and auctions occur each year, including the 4th of JulyIndependence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
party, in which golf carts are decorated and paraded through the Park. There is also an annual auction at Glenwood Hall, held to raise money for Breast Cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
, it is named after a local citizen, Shellie Von Hoene, who died due to Breast Cancer a few years ago. Also there are annual pool opening and closing parties held each year on Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
and Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
, respectively. The local music group, Joe and the Joettes perform at most events.
Cuisine
Perry Park is also noted for its cuisine. At the pool is the 19th Hole Grill Room, which serves snack fare, such as hot dogs, bratsBratwurst
A bratwurst is a sausage usually composed of veal, pork or beef. The plural in German is Bratwürste....
, hamburgers etc. Inside Glenwood Hall is the Perry Park Restaurant. It serves food buffet
Buffet
A buffet is a system of serving meals in which food is placed in a public area where the diners generally serve themselves. Buffets are offered at various places including hotels and many social events...
style, and regularly serves food such as roast beef
Roast beef
Roast beef is a dish of beef which is roasted in an oven. Essentially prepared as a main meal, the leftovers can be and are often served within sandwiches and sometimes is used to make hash...
, ham
Ham
Ham is a cut of meat from the thigh of the hind leg of certain animals, especiallypigs. Nearly all hams sold today are fully cooked or cured.-Etymology:...
, mashed potatoes, and daily serves a rising bread made with garlic butter. The head cooks, Iris and Myra, along with assistant chefs Marty and Brenda, serve a different meal each evening. For breakfast
Breakfast
Breakfast is the first meal taken after rising from a night's sleep, most often eaten in the early morning before undertaking the day's work...
they also serve fare such as biscuits and gravy
Biscuits and gravy
Biscuits and gravy is a popular breakfast dish in the United States, especially in the South.It consists of soft dough biscuits covered in thick "country" or "white" gravy, made from the drippings of cooked pork sausage, white flour, milk, and often bits of sausage, bacon, ground beef, or other...
, bacon
Bacon
Bacon is a cured meat prepared from a pig. It is first cured using large quantities of salt, either in a brine or in a dry packing; the result is fresh bacon . Fresh bacon may then be further dried for weeks or months in cold air, boiled, or smoked. Fresh and dried bacon must be cooked before eating...
, french toast
French toast
French toast or Eggy Bread, is a food made with bread and eggs. It is a Christmas time dessert in Portugal and Brazil.Where French toast is served as a sweet dish, milk, sugar, or cinnamon are also commonly added before frying, and it may be then topped with sugar, butter, fruit, syrup, or other...
, sausage
Sausage
A sausage is a food usually made from ground meat , mixed with salt, herbs, and other spices, although vegetarian sausages are available. The word sausage is derived from Old French saussiche, from the Latin word salsus, meaning salted.Typically, a sausage is formed in a casing traditionally made...
and more. The breakfast buffet stays the same each morning. Because of its geographical location, Perry Park, much like Louisville, has a mixture of Southern
Cuisine of the Southern United States
The cuisine of the Southern United States is defined as the historical regional culinary form of states generally south of the Mason Dixon Line dividing Pennsylvania from Maryland and Delaware as well as along the Ohio River, and extending west to Southern Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.The most...
, Midwestern
Cuisine of the Midwestern United States
Midwestern cuisine is a regional cuisine of the American Midwest. It draws its culinary roots most significantly from the cuisines of Central, Northern and Eastern Europe, and is influenced by regionally and locally grown foodstuffs and cultural diversity....
and Northeastern Cuisine
Rumoured Hauntings
Perry Park is rumored to be a haunted area. The house, Glenwood Hall, is said to be haunted by the ghosts of two children and a servant, who were killed in a fire. The atticAttic
An attic is a space found directly below the pitched roof of a house or other building . Attic is generally the American/Canadian reference to it...
where they died is supposedly the most haunted room in the house, but other rooms are said to be haunted as well. At night many people report hearing children playing in the attic above their room, others report hearing the grand piano in the parlor playing at night, only to find no one is there, and all the doors are locked. Voices are frequently heard by employees, and one time, when the power went out, there were reports of a child-like voice yelling "Daddy!". There are also unconfirmed reports of a Native American Chief, who haunts the area, and is said to still hunt in the forests where wildlife is still just as abundant as it was 200 years ago. Residents and guests have mentioned, while strolling the grounds after dark, of hearing the ghostly sounds of horses and wagons making their way on Perry Parks roads and pathways.
Golfing and Nearby attractions
Perry Park's main attraction is a 27 hole golf courseGolf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
, with 9 different golf packages. It has a par
Par (score)
The word "par" is a term in the game of golf used to denote the pre-determined number of strokes that a scratch golfer should require to complete a hole, a round , or a tournament...
of 72 and 5 sets of tee
Tee
A tee is a stand used to support a stationary ball so that the player can strike it, particularly in golf, tee ball, American football, and rugby.- Etymology :...
s ranging from 7355 to 4000 yards. Also nearby is historic Carrollton, General Butler State Park and house and the newly opened Elk Creek Vinyards, Kentucky's largest winery
Winery
A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. Some wine companies own many wineries. Besides wine making equipment, larger wineries may also feature warehouses, bottling lines, laboratories, and large expanses of...
which features many Kentucky wines. There are many casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
s off park grounds that are within 30 minutes drive of the golf resort