Butler-Turpin State Historic House

Beautiful park too bad the state is moving so slow to repair the lodge after last winters broken plumbing. The staff does a good job working with what they have.

Living my whole life in Carrollton, I couldn't count the times I went to Butler for family events. Summer fun with paddleboating and mini golf. Holiday events like Easter egg hunts and the all famous haunted train ride, yet I never paid much attention to the house that was located on the grounds. Today I finally did. It blows my mind that this house was built back in 1859 and is still here. The original bricks laid at the same time still to this day guide you up a solid but slightly tilted walkway to the house. The house is intimidating as you get closer. There is something eerie about it. But push past that, and walk to the front of the house. The view from the steps looking over the land is breathtaking, minus the wind debris every where. Around back the house looks the exact same. Off to the left when walking the path behind is a trail that is serene through the woods and ends at the Butler Family Cementery. Now that needs a little love, but there is still beauty around the stone walls. You can get tickets for a tour of the house. I did not do that. I just explored around it. Again the view alone from the steps, is worth stopping by.

I absolutely love this place. There are a couple of shelters, plenty of picnic tables and grills for cooking out. The shelters are available for rent as well which is nice. There's mini golf, boat rentals, and a playground as well but my favorite thing to do is walk the trails with my dog and play Pokémon Go! I go everyday and the only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that none of the bathrooms in the shelters are open unless it's rented. Only the one near the playground, which is inconvenient.

Nice historical tour of the house and surrounding grounds. Reasonably priced as it as less than $20 for the entire family. Our guide was very helpful and knowledgeable.