Atalaya, Pawleys Island

Located on the grounds of Huntington State Park is the Atalaya Castle. Built in 1931, this was the winter residence of industrialist and philanthropist Archer M. Huntington and his wife, the sculptor, Anna Hyatt Huntington. It was named Atalaya, Spanish term for watchtower and designed after the Moorish architecture of the Spanish Mediterranean Coast. This walled structure formed a square with two courtyards inside, east side facing the ocean and the west side a main entry court. The living quarters had 30 rooms that included a kitchen, food service/preparation area, dining room, breakfast room, sunroom, wardrobe/clothes storage, bedrooms, baths, servants’ quarters, library, Mr. Huntington’s study, his secretary’s office and Mrs. Huntington studio. A 40 foot square tower housing a 3000 gallon cypress water tank gave enough water pressure to flow through the house. Additional buildings featured a horse stable, a dog kennel, a bear pen and an Oyster shucking shed. Rooms were heated by wood fireplaces and coal heaters. The name seems not fitting as no moats, ramparts, turrets, towers, look outs, and gatehouse are featured. More of a fortress with its single story structure, narrow walled walkways, grillwork and shutters over each window and enclosed courtyards. The bare rooms do offer some descriptive placards, otherwise it is a self-guided tour and you are on your own with a floor plan map. Cost is $2 per person, free if you have a yearly state park pass, to help the upkeep and maintains of the property. Come and tour the historical grounds, spend some time on the beach and go looking for alligators along the coastal preserve.

Awesome! Pleasant staff. Kindly told us no drinks other than water allowed inside castle. It was a lot bigger than we expected, amazing to imagine how life must have been like back then. The park being right there is also perfect!