Atalaya Revealed - Murrells Inlet, SC

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Last Updated: Mar 18th, 2009 - 22:24:09

Atalaya Revealed - Murrells Inlet, SC
By Emily Capps
“To God Be the Glory! Homeschool”
Language Arts Teacher (English): Teresa Capps
Dec 16, 2008, 08:53 PST

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Emily Capps is a Hometown Reporter from the “To God Be the Glory! Homeschool” in Lugoff, South Carolina who has written about Atalaya, a rice plantation in South Carolina.

Atalaya
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Open Year Round
Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily

September 6th could not come soon enough for me and my family. We headed to the coast for a well deserved break. My dad hadn’t taken a break all summer, and my mom had a summer job as well. My mom and I were excited to discover what my neighbor called “the best kept secret on the coast.” He was referring to Huntington Beach, SC, an Atalaya. Come with us and explore.

Archer and Anna Huntington were married in 1923. Archer was a poet and Anna was a sculptor. In 1927, Anna was diagnosed with tuberculosis. The doctors advised them to seek out a warmer climate. They purchased four former rice plantations. One of which Atalaya is sitting on now.

Atalaya was built between 1931-1933. There were no blue prints to Atalaya. The plans only existed in Archer’s mind. The Huntington’s only hired local people who had lost their jobs due to the Great Depression. Their contractor was William Thompson. Atalaya was made in the design of a Spanish castle. The name Atalaya means ‘watch tower’ in Spanish. There is a watch tower included in the castle.

Atalaya was built on Huntington Beach, SC. The Huntingtons really loved animals. Atalaya has bear pens where the Huntington’s kept bears. It has a stable where Anna kept her 2 riding horses, Bob and Polly, and a stallion, Old Stevie. They also had monkeys that ran around the castle. They had dog kennels where they bred dogs. Anna loved to sculpt the animals.

The Huntington’s included an oyster shucking room in the castle. Due to their great love of seafood, they hired a full-time person to keep fresh seafood. Since they lived on the beach, it was always available.

In 1939, they purchased a farm near Bethel, Connecticut. They left Atalaya for the last time in 1947. They lived on that farm for the rest of their lives. Archer died in 1955 at age 85. Anna died in 1973 at age 97. Upon her death, the bulk of the will would be given to the Brookgreen Gardens Foundation, but, before Anna died, the state of South Carolina asked her if they could lease Huntington Beach from the Brookgreen Gardens Foundation. She said yes. So, in 1960 Huntington Beach, including Atalaya, became a state park.

Upon my visit there, I interviewed Ann Westcott, docent of Atalaya. Ann said: “It’s a one of a kind building. Anna and Archer were very kind to the local people during the depression.” I agree, Ann. I also interviewed Anne Owens of Lake Murray, SC and she said, "I love it! I come here all the time! You see something new every time. If you think real hard you can imagine the people [Huntingtons] living there with their animals.”

A Huntington Beach brochure promises,

“Today Atalaya continues to offer respite from the hordes of tourists that flock to the Grand Strand, a quiet place for contemplation, and a sanctuary for inspiration.”

My mom adds:

“Huntington Beach offers both breathtaking beauty and peaceful tranquility. It’s a wonderful place to reflect upon God’s creation. I can be still and leap with joy at one place. I certainly understand why the Huntington’s built Atalaya and why SC wanted to keep it as such a hidden treasure. In this way, Anna Huntington remained faithful to her and Archer’s commitment to help the local people even to her death. We look forward to returning again and again.”

Special Information: Atalaya means watchtower in Spanish.

Keywords: Atalaya Revealed, Emily Capps, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, SC, Hometown Reporter, Archer and Anna Huntington , rice plantation, To God Be the Glory! Homeschool, ClassBrain

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