Jefferson in Jackson County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mule Barn, Yard and Cribs

Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2021

1. Mule Barn, Yard and Cribs Marker

Inscription. Although Mr. Ira was keen to keep abreast of the latest developments in farming, most of the work on his cotton farm was still done by a combination of mule and human muscle-power. In the 1940s there were 26 mules on the farm that were used to till the fields and pull wagons and other farm equipment. At that time there were two main mule barns plus a small two-stall barn in the fenced barnyard, but it seems likely that mules were kept outdoors in the yard most of the time rather than in these buildings. Of the two large barns, one remains: this six-stall barn standing in the center of the yard is built mostly of concrete block resting on a poured concrete foundation. The large stones used as aggregate in this foundation give this concrete a distinctive handmade appearance. Three doors on each side of the building and sliding doors at each end give it an open well-ventilated character. The wooden loft above the central bay was filled with hay that could be forked down into the manger suspended above the feeding troughs.

Around the edges of the barnyard stand a number of smaller buildings: the two-stall barn, a feed house,

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and two corncribs. The barn and feed house are plain wooden frame structures while the cribs provide an interesting contrast. One of these cribs is made with concrete blocks, some of which have an ornamental character, and above the door an inscription on the lintel reads "Ethridge 1916." The other crib is a much older structure made of massive logs with half-dovetail joints. This structure is raised on stone piers, and beside it there was a small hog pen; the hogs were able to crawl under the crib and thus prevent rats from infesting that space. (Marker Number 16.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Architecture.

Location. 34° 3.778′ N, 83° 35.277′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, Georgia, in Jackson County. It can be reached from Etheridge Road just south of Johnson Mill Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted on a post directly in front of the barn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2355 Etheridge Road, Jefferson GA 30549, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2021

2. Mule Barn, Yard and Cribs Marker

(Mule Barn in right background)

this marker is in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Garage (a few steps from this marker); Wheat House (a few steps from this marker); Gristmill (within shouting distance of this marker); Commissary (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith's Shop and Carpenter's Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Milking Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Tractor Shed (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jefferson.

Regarding Mule Barn, Yard and Cribs. Contributing property, Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm, National Register of Historic Places #92000814.

Related markers.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2021

3. Feed House

Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm

Log Corn Crib image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2021

4. Log Corn Crib

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2021

5. Mule Barn

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 362 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 23, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.