Plains in Sumter County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Catch the Mules
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 19, 2012
1. Catch the Mules Marker
Here, at the barn, the day started early.
During the ... seasons all the workers arose early each morning at 4:00 a.m...., wakened by the ringing of a large farm bell. We would go to the barn and catch the mules by lantern light, put the plow stocks, seed, fertilizer, and other supplies on the wagons, and drive out to the fields where we would be working that day... and wait for it to be light enough to cultivate...
Jimmy Carter, 1975, Why not the best?
This 1930s photo of a Georgian barn shows a large bell like the one Jack Clark rang here one hour before daybreak. Although this is not the Carter barn, similar scenes took place here.
Before World War II, mules - not a gasoline-drive tractor - provided the "horsepower" needed to farm in south Georgia.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #39 James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1975.
Location. 32° 1.545′ N, 84° 25.926′ W. Marker is in Plains, Georgia, in Sumter County. Marker is on Old Plains Highway, on the right
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Cash Crops (within shouting distance of this marker); Next-door Neighbors (within shouting distance of this marker); Never Far from Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Legacy of an Outdoor Childhood (within shouting distance of this marker); The Carter Family Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Winds of Change (about 400 feet away); Tennis Court (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plains.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 19, 2012
2. Catch the Mules Marker
Jimmy Carter here in 1970, notice the tractor. During the span of lifetime, machines had taken the place of mules. The nearby pumphouse and buggy shed also stored tools, harness and equipment.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 19, 2012
3. Catch the Mules Marker
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 19, 2012
4. The Bell
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 19, 2012
5. Catch the Mules Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 397 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 25, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
