FLAT ROCK, N.C. (WLOS) — Pulitzer Prize-winning author and poet Carl Sandburg is often associated with his midwestern roots; his works pay tribute to the working-class families of Chicago, and a biography of Abraham Lincoln is among his most famous pieces.
But a move from the Midwest to the mountains of western North Carolina provides another enduring legacy, and we have his wife Lilian and a champion herd of dairy goats to thank for that.
"Carl and Lilian and the whole family, for the most part, they were living up in Michigan, and Mrs. Sandburg had gotten into dairy goats," explained Tom Avery, visitor services manager at the Carl Sandburg Home, a National Historic Site in Flat Rock.
The sandy soil near the banks of Lake Michigan did not make for the best pastureland for the goats, so Lilian proposed a move, literally to greener pastures.
"Carl basically said, 'Hey, as long as I'm next to you and I have a quiet place to write, I don't care where we live,'" Avery said.
In 1945, Carl, Lilian, their three adult daughters and two grandchildren moved to Connemara, a 264-acre farm in Flat Rock. The 30 acres of prime pasture have served as a home for generations of Mrs. Sandburg's prized dairy goats since then.
Today, a herd of eleven docile goats roam the land and serve as ambassadors to thousands of park guests each year.
"We have descendants of the Sandburg goats," said animal caretaker Jon Gorter. "We have each breed represented, and they trace back to the original herd that Mrs. Sandburg had in the early 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, over her whole tenure of raising dairy goats."
There are three breeds on the farm: Nubians, Saanens and Tonnenburgs, each valued for their gentle nature and, historically, productivity as milk producers.
Today, the park does not have a working dairy, but the goats have a unique connection to visitors, especially children.
"They're curious. I think the children are curious and it just kind of mixes together," said Avery. "And just really enjoy each other, both the goats enjoying the children and the children enjoying the goats."
"Goats here today are ambassadors of the history of this place," added Gorter. "They are an excellent window into the past. They're living history amongst us, and a great way for kids and families to form a connection with the Sandburg family and with the history of the dairy industry."
STORY COURTESY OF WLOS-TV13
