Tuesday, April 18, 2017

General William Orlando Butler - Carrollton, KY



The News Democrat - August 13, 1931






General Butler State Resort Park




The CCC built a park at a hilly site in Carrollton, Kentucky.  The News Democrat announced the park dedication in August 1931.  Originally the park was named the Butler Memorial Park.  The name on the plaque in the stone wall that faces State Route 227 is stated "Butler Memorial Park."

General Percival Butler served in the Revolutionary War before coming to Kentucky.  Major Thomas Butler was an officer under the command of General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. William Orlando Butler served in the war of 1812 and in the Mexican War.  The park name is now the General Butler State Resort Park; the person of the park name is William Orlando Butler.

The park owes its existence to the CCC.   The overlook with the stone steps and walls was constructed by the CCC.   The park stands as a model of growth and renewal.   Though the depression made millions jobless, the CCC was born out of the depression with a view to making places better than how they found them.  The CCC camps took lands and built shelters and trails on them with a vision for how much beauty could be at these lands with proper attention.