A Diva's Vacation - Part 4

Out in Huntington Beach State Park on Murrells Inlet stands the preserved remains of Atalaya Castle.

Atalaya was the winter home of industrialist and philanthropist Archer M. Huntington and his wife, sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, who were the co-founders of Brookgreen Gardens. This spot on the southern coast was chosen because the couple wanted a winter retreat in a warm climate since Anna suffered from tuberculous.  The castle was modeled after medieval Moorish forts.

The living quarters consisted of 30 rooms around three sides of the perimeter, there is a massive studio space (its got a 25 foot long skylight), and a small, enclosed courtyard where Anna worked on her sculptures. Pens for animal models, including horses, dogs and bears, are situated adjacent to the open studio.

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Inside the front courtyard, looking down the covered walkway toward the foyer. 

Looking down one of the long interior hallways.  The home was always very sparsely furnished and the brick walls, though either painted or whitewashed were not really conducive to hanging pictures or decorations.  Anna and Archer had no children and did not entertain guests while staying at Atalaya, there are no guest rooms in the house. 

The only remaining bookshelves in Archer's library.

The crack you can see in the wall behind the bookcase is NOT caused by the house settling.  As the steel support beams within the walls rust due to the corrosive sea air, they are actually pushing up against the masonry, causing the separation of the bricks.  

Looking back down the covered walkway from the foyer.

 

There are several of there long, empty hallways that lead to nowhere in the house, giving the place a very strange and eerie feeling.  There are also unexpected corners and nooks that don't seem to have had a purpose.   

Every window in the house is covered by a hand-wrought iron grill, designed and made by Anna. They were installed, along with heavy interior shutters, to protect the house from hurricanes. 

My aunt's knee was bothering her too much for her to make the hike to the ruins so it was just my uncle and I on this trip, and as we were the only two visitors in the house at the time it just added to the ghostly, haunted atmosphere.  I mean, I know this place was a home, bustling with the owners, their assistants, secretaries, and servants...but I just couldn't imagine it.

A view down the hallway running the length of the servant's side of the house. 

A look back from the mid point of the covered walkway, back toward the foyer.  

If you look hard, you can see the fire place in the foyer. 

One last look back, from outside the main gates. From here you can see the large tower in the center of the courtyard which housed a water tank and all the palmettos dotting the central courtyard garden.

A lovely place, but very secluded and a bit spooky. 

- HistoryDiva