Sautee Nacoochee in White County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Caretaker's House
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 28, 2026
1. Caretaker's House Marker
The small farmhouse on the hill was completed by Dr. Hardman around 1908 and served as the home for several farm manager families prior to 1920. The original house was L-shaped and included indoor plumbing, wood floors and two porches.
The Hardman family lived most of the year at their Jackson County, Georgia home or the Governor's Mansion in Atlanta. Beginning in 1920, Dr. Hardman hired the Robert C. Minish family, also from Jackson County, to be the permanent dairy managers and caretakers of the farm.
A Family Legacy
Bob Minish and his wife Minnie Maude would go on to establish an 80-year legacy of caring for the property. After Bob and Minnie Maude, their son Opal and wife Trecie, and finally Opal's son Bruce and his wife Ethelene managed the farm even after the Nacoochee Dairy operation ended. As the Minish family grew, they moved into Captain Nichols' game house which Dr. hardman converted into an additional caretaker's residence.
Eventually Bruce and Ethelene moved nearby to land given to them by the Hardman family. During the late 1990s they were helpful in the creation of the historic
this page online
The Hardman family often referred to the Minish family as the fourth owners of the farm. There was a close relationship between the two families. As an example of this close relationship, the Hardmans paid for the Minish children's education.
Caption:
Architectural drawings from the Historic American Buildings Survey
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.
Location. 34° 41.161′ N, 83° 42.555′ W. Marker is in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, in White County. It can be reached from Georgia Route 17 north of Unicoi Turnpike, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 143 GA-17, Sautee Nacoochee GA 30571, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 28, 2026
2. Caretaker's House Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Unicoi Turnpike (here, next to this marker); The Unicoi Road (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Hardman Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Three Families at the Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Three Families at the Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Hardman Farm State Historic Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Corncribs & Gear House (about 300 feet away); Breezeway,Smokehouse/Servant's Quarters & Kitchen (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sautee Nacoochee.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
