Hardman Farm State Historic Site
Travel through centuries of culture at Hardman Farm State Historic Site along the iconic Unicoi Turnpike. Once a Native American trail, the turnpike passes through a historic farm, linking Georgia’s earliest inhabitants with the enduring legacy of the Nichols/Hardman families, and their Nineteenth Century Italianate mansion.
About This Site
Hours
Location
143 Highway 17, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
Amenities
| Amenity | Available |
|---|---|
| Admission Fee | ✓ |
| Lodging | ✕ |
| Visitor or Nature Center | ✓ |
| Restrooms | ✓ |
| Drinking Fountain or Potable Water | ✓ |
| Trails | ✓ |
| Boardwalk | ✕ |
| Camping | ✕ |
| RV Hookups | ✕ |
| Picnic Area | ✕ |
| Kayaking or Canoeing | ✕ |
The Sautee Nacoochee Indian Mound at Hardman Farm is perhaps the best known feature of Hardman Farm, located just south of Helen in White County. The gazebo-topped mound and cow pasture is a favorite landmark in north Georgia with exceptional ties to Native American history.
Featured Birds
Brown Thrasher
Wood Duck
The tree-lined road leading from the Visitor Center to the house is a remaining portion of the historic Unicoi Turnpike. This 200-mile road went from Toccoa to western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. It began as a buffalo trail, then a Native American trading route.
Built in 1870 by Captain James Nichols, the house is a grand example of Italianate architecture and was originally known as “West End” because it was at the west end of the Nacoochee Valley. Its second owner was Calvin Hunnicutt, a wealthy Atlanta business man. Hunnicutt used the house only as a summer retreat and much of his original furniture remains. The last owner was the family of Dr. Lamartine Hardman, Georgia’s governor from 1927–1931. It was lovingly preserved and donated to the state of Georgia in 1999. The Nacoochee Mound is a burial site and was probably used long before the Cherokee inhabited the area.
Photo Gallery
This Birding Site Sponsored By
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