Flat Rock in Henderson County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

A Mountain Farm

— Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site —

Photographed by Benjamin Rubin, May 17, 2026

1. A Mountain Farm Marker

Inscription. Running a farm, even a small one, takes vision, ingenuity, and constant labor. Fortunately, the Sandburgs were people for whom hard work was an expectation—and a joy. Perhaps no one in the family embodied that passion and dedication as much as Carl Sandburg's wife, Lilian, whom the poet nicknamed "Paula."

Lilian "Paula" Sandburg became interested in farming while the Sandburgs lived in Michigan, where she started a small herd of dairy goats. The family moved to North Carolina in 1945 for its warmer climate. Connemara provided shelter and pasture for their goats, stables for their horses, and a space for gardens. The distance between the busy farm and quiet house gave the author solitude to write.

As you approach the barn listen for sounds of farm life. What do you hear?

(captions)
Lilian "Paula" Sandburg stands among the herd with three of her champion does, Jennifer II, Brocade, Maureen (l-r) in 1957. Photograph by June Glenn, Jr.

Lilian "Paula" Sandburg employed a series of farm laborers. They lived with their families in this green home. Although Mrs. Sandburg employed help on the farm, she managed the daily operations. Ruins of the Memminger-era Ice House are in the front yard of this home. Photograph by June Glenn, Jr.

We shall

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do our best to do something—to leave some thing that we have produced here on earth as a bequest! But we'll remember that the life we live is more important than the works we leave. Lilian "Paula" Sandburg in a letter to Carl Sandburg, 1908

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Arts, Letters, Music • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 35° 16.255′ N, 82° 26.914′ W. Marker is in Flat Rock, North Carolina, in Henderson County. It is on Carl Sandburg Lane 0.4 miles south of Little River Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 471 Carl Sandburg Ln, Flat Rock NC 28731, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountains and in Greater Asheville.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

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: A Home for Champions (within shouting distance of this marker); Glassy Mountain Trails (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Outdoor Inspiration (about 500 feet away); An American Classic (approx. ¼ mile away); Connemara (approx. ¼ mile away); The Old Flat Rock Post Office (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carl Sandburg (approx. 0.4 miles away); Flat Rock (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flat Rock.

Also see . . .

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Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. National Park Service (Submitted on May 24, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2026, by Benjamin Rubin of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on May 17, 2026, by Benjamin Rubin of Columbia, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.