Ripy, T. B., House

Completed in 1888, the T.B. Ripy House is a locally outstanding example of the Queen Anne style. The variety of materials, textures, and colors employed in its design produces a visually rich composition. The exuberant style and high quality of craftsmanship are reflected on the interior as well in the elaborate woodwork, mantles, and hardware, making the Ripy House one of Lawrenceburg's most noteworthy residences and a local landmark. In addition to its architectural merit, the house was built by Thomas Beebe Ripy, one of the most prominent Anderson county distillers whose whiskey gained international fame.

Incorporated in 1824 as Kaufman's Station, Lawrenceburg was renamed in honor of tavern keeper William Lawrence in 1827 when the town became the seat of the newly created Anderson County Historically an agricultural county, the distilling industry has always played a major role in the economy, being the only manufacturing enterprise. At one time there were twenty-one distilleries in the county. Various Anderson County whiskies, including the Ripy label, have achieved world renown for their excellence and purity. Joe Peyton is credited with establishing the first distillery in the county in 1818 producing the "old Joe" label and by 1825, Lawrenceburg had become one of the state's six major centers in the production of whiskey.

During the 1830s, two brothers, John and James Ripy, emigrated to Kentucky from Tyrone County, Ireland, and settled in Lawrenceburg where both engaged in business. John operated a dry goods store four miles south of Lawrenceburg in a community that became known as Ripyville, while James managed a grocery in Lawrenceburg. In 1868, James partnered with Monroe Walker and Samuel P. Martin in establishing the Walker, Martin, and Company distillery. The distillery was located east of Lawrenceburg on the Kentucky River at Tyrone which was named by the Ripys for their native county in Ireland.

At the age of 21, Thomas Beebe Ripy, James' youngest son, bought out the interests of Walker and Martin, becoming sole proprietors of the T.B. Ripy Distillery. He expanded and made improvements so that when he eventually sold the plant in 1899 to the Kentucky Distilleries and Warehouse Co. consolidation, he had increased the capacity from 100 bushels per day to 1,500 bushels per day. In 1881, T.B. Ripy joined Waterfill, Dowling and Company in the founding of the Anderson County Distilling Company also at Tyrone. Ripy bought out his partners in 1885 and operated this plant until 1899 when it too was sold to the Kentucky Distilleries and Warehouse Company. Under his ownership, the plant's capacity grew from 300 bushels per day to 1,500 bushels per day, constituting a daily output of 150 barrels of whiskey.