Located a stone's throw from the beautiful Carolina coast, Atalaya once served as the winter home of Archer and Anna Huntington, an influential couple who once owned large swaths of the surrounding area.
Construction of Atalaya began in 1931 under the direction of Archer Huntington, who purportedly worked without the use of a written guidelines and whose enthusiasm for Spanish history informed the Moorish architectural design. The one-story square structure encompasses roughly 40,000 square feet and includes an inner courtyard and a total of around forty-two rooms. Thirty of these rooms were living quarters while others were devoted to the couple's artistic and philanthropic pursuits.
By wintering in South Carolina, the Huntingtons sought to escape the harsh North Eastern winters to which they were accustomed. Anna Huntington, a noted sculptor, suffered from tuberculosis and hoped the warmer climes would improve her health. In a later interview, however, Mrs. Huntington admitted that her dedication to her work may have hampered her recovery and prolonged her illness. Several rooms in the house, including the largest room, were used as studio space. The Huntingtons kept numerous animals at Atalaya, including dogs, horses, and even bears, which Anna used as subjects for her sculptures. Her work was displayed on the adjoining property, which was developed concurrently with Atalaya and which is now home to the Brookgreen Gardens sculpture garden and nature preserve where many of Mrs. Huntington's statues are displayed.
In the summer, one can find relief from the Carolina heat inside Atalaya's stone walls, but bereft of furniture or decorations, the dwelling feels dark and dreary, more reminiscent of a prison than a home.
The house is located on the grounds of what is now Huntington State Park.