Place

Catch the Mules Wayside

An African-American family of five sit in a cart on a farm being drawn by two large brown mules.
Early forms of transportation were by foot, horse, mule, and wagon.

Library of Congress

Quick Facts
Location:
Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Catch the Mules
Here, at the barn, the day started early.
"All the workers arose 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 lan-tern light, put the plow stocks, seed, fertilizer, and other supplies on the wagons, and drive out to the field where we would be working that day… and wait for it to be light enough to cultivate."
- Jimmy Carter, 1975  Why Not the Best?

Before World War II, mules—not a gasoline-driven tractor— provided the “horsepower” needed to farm in South Georgia.

Early forms of transportation were by foot, horse, mule, and wagon. 

Jimmy Carter National Historical Park

Last updated: March 13, 2025