The history of the South Carolina coast and Georgetown County in particular, centered on the cultivation of the rice crop that dominated the local economy more than 200 years ago. Since slave labor was necessary to cultivate the rice crops, this culture ended with the advent of the Civil War. Before the war, Georgetown County was one of the richest counties in America because of the rice plantations that dotted the coastal marshes and creeks.

With the end of slave labor and the destruction of much of the South, landowners sold or abandoned their plantations and they lay in ruin and disrepair. In 1930, philanthropist Archer M. Huntington and his wife, sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, purchased 9,100 acres of South Carolina land that stretched from the Waccamaw River to the Atlantic Ocean. Within the tract were the remnants of four rice plantations – The Oaks, Springfield, Laurel Hill and Brookgreen.

Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington first visited the property in 1929. They were captivated by beauty of the land and environment. They initially intended to establish a winter home on the Atlantic, but Anna saw the potential of the property and they quickly began to develop her vision.

The Huntingtons created Brookgreen Gardens on a 300-acre parcel of the tract that featured massive live oaks trees planted nearly two centuries earlier. The “oak alley” became the passageway into a butterfly-shaped garden the couple designed. In 1932, the Huntingtons opened Brookgreen Gardens to the public, having established it as both a nature preserve and a showcase for American figurative sculpture, including the works of Mrs. Huntington.

Today Brookgreen Gardens is a place of beauty, and it is a source of creative inspiration to visitors. Tours, classes, cultural events, lectures, and other programs are offered daily at Brookgreen.

Atalaya Castle, the Archer’s winter home, was built on the Atlantic side of the acreage during the years 1931-1933. Mr. Huntington was a noted authority on Spanish history. He designed the home from memory after the Moorish architecture of the Spanish Mediterranean Coast.

The Huntingtons poured staggering sums of money into this project which by today's dollar would easily build several large hotels. Surrounded by some 2,500 acres of native flora and fauna, Atalaya, is a 55-room mansion with a 40-foot tower (Atalaya is Spanish for watchtower). The house is built as a large, square building enveloping a large, open interior court.

The outer walls of the building form a square, 200 feet on each side, with the front facing the ocean. Within the walled structure there is a large, open inner court with a small entry court at he rear. It is functional in design, having contained a 3,000 gallon water tank made of cypress.

Water drawn from an artesian well was pumped into a 10,000 gallon concrete cistern where the sand settled out. From there it was pumped into the tower tank. The 40 foot height of this tank gave the water enough pressure to flow through the house.

The living quarters consist of 30 rooms around three sides of the perimeter.

Living facilities including the dining room, sunroom, library and bedrooms line the front part of the house. The covered walkway of open brickwork features archways and planters.

The southern wing housed Mr. Huntington's study and opened onto a small enclosed courtyard where Mrs. Huntington worked on her sculptures. She enjoyed sculpting live animals; therefore, facilities such as horse stables, a dog kennel and a bear pen were included in the construction.

Heating was done entirely by coal room heaters and wood fireplaces. Ramps lead from the courtyards up to each entry door, and wood was hauled in by small carts. Specially designed grillwork of hand wrought iron and shutters were installed on each window to protect against hurricane winds.

During World War II, the family turned the place over to the military to use as a radar station and coastal defense emplacement. After his death in 1955, Atalya and the surrounding 2500 acres were leased to the State of South Carolina. Visitors still experience the pleasure of a visit to the park and castle. The State of South Carolina is charged with the tremendous task maintaining Atalaya and the park grounds.