Brookgreen Gardens: Atalaya

Railroad and shipyard heir Archer Milton Huntington and his sculptor wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington, bought four former rice plantations on the northeastern coast of South Carolina in 1930 to create a winter home. The special nature of the 9,000-acre property, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Waccamaw River, prompted the couple to establish Brookgreen Gardens, the first public sculpture garden in America and a sanctuary for southeastern plants and animals. Archer Huntington's passion for the history and culture of Spain was shown in the home he designed. Inspired by the Moorish architecture of Spain and northern Africa, Atalaya was not the usual millionaire's beach resort, although it provided an economic boon to the area. The home was a retreat while Anna recuperated from tuberculosis and Archer continued his business and philanthropic interests. Today, Atalaya is part of Huntington Beach State Park where visitors tour the home with a docent or an audio tour and are intrigued by its design and the legacy of the Huntingtons.