Atalaya Castle
Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576 US / SC
Location Description
Moorish castle located at Huntington Island State Park Beach Atalaya (AH-tuh-lie-yuh) means "watchtower" in Spanish. The house is dominated by a square tower, which housed a 3,000 gallon water tank. Rising nearly 40 feet (12 m) from a covered walkway, it bisects Atalaya's inner court. The inner walls of the main courtyard were covered with creeping fig vines, Sabal palmettos, the South Carolina state tree, and other palms. The living quarters consist of 30 rooms around three sides of the perimeter, while the studio, with its 25 foot (8 m) skylight, opens onto a small, enclosed courtyard where Anna Hyatt Huntington worked on her sculptures. Pens for animal models, including horses, dogs and bears, are situated adjacent to the open studio. The building also features hand-wrought iron grills designed by Mrs. Huntington, which cover the exteriors of windows. These and shutters were installed for protection against hurricane winds.
Location Category
- BEACHES / COASTAL - Beaches / Shorelines
- HOUSES - [general]
- HOUSES - Mansions / Estates
- LAKES / RIVERS - [general]
- PARKS - [general]
Architecture Style
- 1920s - 1930s
