State officials moved quickly recently to acquire land near a state historic site to create a buffer from impending development.

    On May 19, Parks Commissioner George Ward learned that a 120-acre farm adjacent to William Whitley State Historic Site near Stanford was going on the auction block just four days later. The historic house was the first brick home built west of the Alleghenies and is situated in a scenic rural setting. The auction involved selling 16 tracts of land for residential development, including plots adjoining the state park property.

   “We felt it was critically important to acquire some of the land so that we could create a buffer between this historic site and the development,” Ward said. “Our first priority in the Department of Parks is to protect the beauty and historical significance of our parks. It was therefore imperative that we try to preserve the historic ambience of this historic building and its grounds.”

  Ward learned about the sale from David Morgan, executive director of the Kentucky Heritage Council. Morgan pointed out that the Department of Parks has a state allocation from the Heritage Land Conservation Fund, but that the fund can’t be tapped until the fund’s board meets in July. Ward then turned to Commerce Secretary Jim Host and Finance Secretary Robbie Rudolph to request assistance in advancing state funds until the conservation fund money can be drawn later this summer. In the space of two days, Finance officials conducted the necessary appraisals and environmental studies and, the next day, joined Ward for the May 22 auction.

    The state bought six tracts, including three of the closest 1.5-acre house lots. In all, 29.8 acres were purchased at a cost of $147,500. With the sale, the historic site now has some “breathing room” from the adjacent development.

    “This was an outstanding example of interagency cooperation,” Ward said. “Those who say bureaucracy always moves slowly haven’t seen this administration in action.”