Fit For a King

I remember as a child, that whenever I would make the trek with my family from Louisville to Lexington, I always wanted to drive the route that had the castle. I thought it was the most amazing creation. Who would have imagined that a castle would be in the middle of some horse parks?

The history said to be behind the castle is: Rex and Caroline Bogaert Martin got the idea for the castle during a vacation in Europe. The Martins initially had trouble finding suitable acreage for the new home, but finally purchased 53 acres along U.S. 60 and Pisgah Pike. Plans were drawn in 1968 and ground was broken the next year. But in 1975, while the castle was still under construction, the Martins divorced. Whether the castle’s progress had anything to do with the separation is part of its mystery. Divorce records give only an oblique reference to the castle acreage.

Tom Post recently purchased the castle and remodeled it into “Kentucky’s Premier Luxury Tourist Inn available for nightly accommodations, weddings, corporate events and personal occasions.” I was honored to be invited there for a fundraiser this month for the Home of the Innocents.

It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. As a child I dreamed of being a princess who gets rescued by my prince in that castle. I had to see what was behind those walls. I just needed one sneak peak.

And here’s what I saw – beautiful chandeliers, fabulous artwork and “old skool” furniture that looked like medieval time. It reminded me of a fancy hotel. It also reminded me of when you visited a nice store as a child and your parents said not to touch anything.

But here’s the thing – the inside didn’t mesmerize me. I wasn’t trying to plan my honeymoon there. Don’t get me wrong, it was nice inside. I would recommend others to visit. However, it’s the outside of the castle that gave me something to daydream about on an otherwise boring drive. It’s the outside of the castle that contains all the magic. While my prince was not found inside the castle, my fantasies remain on the outside.

M.Y. April 2010