WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Carrie Harned Investigates Woodford County's Mysterious Castle

Carrie Harned Investigates Woodford County's Mysterious Castle

By Carrie Harned

In the heart of the Bluegrass, you expect to see horses grazing in rolling pastures, but just off U.S. 60 in Versailles sits one of Kentucky's biggest mysteries: a castle that has been closed off from the public for more than three decades. Now our Carrie Harned unveils the truth behind the castle walls.

Little is known about the Woodford County castle, but Kentucky history specialist Ron Bryant says "it's had a jaded past."

Cypress wood gates with lion heads trimmed in gold foil keep would-be visitors at bay. And that secrecy has given way to plenty of legends. It's been rumored that Rock Hudson and Lee Majors wanted to buy it. But in truth, the story of the castle is one of love. However, there would be no fairy tale ending for the castle's owner, Rex Martin.

"Rex Martin did supposedly build it for his wife, Caroline," Bryant explains. "They were in Europe, she saw some castles -- especially German castles -- and she was taken with them."

So in 1968, Martin, a wealthy Lexington developer, bought 50 acres along U.S. 60. The following year, he broke ground for the castle. By the mid-70s, however, with the castle still under construction, a divorce was in the works. Records give only a vague reference to the "castle acreage" as to why the couple split.

Bryant says that "Mrs. Martin was interviewed at one time and was asked to talk about the castle and she demurred; she said, 'I'd rather not.'"

And so the castle sits, just a shell, unfinished and unused for over three decades. Tax records offer a glimpse at what was meant to be. Inside the 12-foot walls sits a 10,400 square foot, two-story home with seven bedrooms, seven baths, and three dining rooms, complete with central air, heat and a swimming pool.

According to Bryant, "the big towers were supposed to be used for a cabana or an office."

Over the years, the castle has become a favorite place for tourists to snap photos and it has even caught the attention of Queen Elizabeth and her entourage. But the queen's secretary's assessment was anything but royal. He was quoted as describing the castle as "an Americanized Mickey Mouse castle," and that they "expected Donald Duck to look over the ramparts at anytime."

In fact, from the concrete curtain wall to the symmetrical layout, Bryant says the castle is very ... un-castle-like. "The cupolas which are on the towers, the turrets if you will, on the four corners are of aluminum and every so often the wind will blow them off, and they do not hold paint at all."

In the past, the castle has been up for sale, but placing a bid has proven as elusive as finding Mr. Martin himself. The land is only zoned for residential use, and the current tax assessment values the castle and property at $963,400.

Rex Martin is now in failing health. When we contacted Mr. Martin's son, who lives out of state, he told us the family has no plans for the castle. Out of respect for his father, he also denied our request for a tour.

Online Reporter: Carrie Harned

Online Producer: Michael Dever