Mule-Driven Cotton Press in Tarboro, NC - 1953 History

This vintage photograph captures a mule-driven cotton press, a significant agricultural machine, in the vicinity of Tarboro, Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Once a common sight on Southern farms, this type of press is now nearly extinct. The image serves as a historical document of rural life and farming practices in the early 20th century.

The cotton press is notable not only for its role in the cotton industry but also for its craftsmanship, reflecting the agricultural heritage of North Carolina. It was relocated to a park in Raleigh, N.C., to preserve this piece of history for future generations. The photograph is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, which aimed to document the architectural landscape and cultural heritage of the Southern United States.

This image, created by Frances Benjamin Johnston, dates back to 1953 and provides an educational glimpse into the agricultural practices of the past, enhancing our understanding of rural Southern life.