A Real Castle in the Sand: Myrtle Beach's Hidden Gem, Atalaya

For this year's "Myrtle date," Justin and Kim went to Huntington Beach State Park to see Atalaya, an historic homesite.  Both of us had seen small features about Atataya in older tourist literature (from before the Grand Strand had more "whiz bang" attractions), and both of us had attempted to research Atalaya online.  Justin had heard it was "ruins;" Kim had heard it was a "castle."  Neither was exactly true, and we were most pleasantly surprised.  Here's a highly-recommended Myrtle Date for those with an interest in history and the more peaceful side of the Grand Strand. 

Within Huntington Beach State Park, Atalaya sits near the shore of Huntington Beach, reasonably near the south end of Myrtle Beach.  It is a piece of 20th century Moorish architecture created by the philanthropic Huntington family as a winter retreat.  A quick tour informs you of the Huntingtons generosity--and their sense of social justice.  Thinking about the time period in which the estate was built creates a sense of the surreal:  Atalaya is nearing 100 years old and was build during a time when most of this section of the Grand Strand was full of run-down plantations.  It's also an interesting site for art.  Anne Huntington was a sculptress, and she kept live animals on the grounds (including bears!) as subjects, bringing them down with her from New York.  At the site, expect walkable brick grounds that are decently preserved but essentially unfurnished.  Be fascinated with the architectural details, including a large clothes drying "room" and a small but well-designed guttering system near the walks.  There's also a one-room interpretive exhibit.

We recommend touring the site on your own--after engaging the volunteers that staff Atalaya in good conversation, of course.  You'll pay a small fee to enter the park (about $5 per adult) and add on admission to the home (about $2 per adult).  If you are very interested in the Huntingtons, spring for the add-on audio tour--it features Anne Huntington's voice.  Consider contacting the park before you go; while it is difficult to find some of the information about the site online, they do "ghost walks" at night and have other fun options in the park including alligator talks.  Parking for Atalaya is plentiful and close to the shore as well, so walk out to the beach.  A beach house for changing is very nearby, and there are many fine spots for a picnic.  The park gift shop is nearby and boasts a solid selection of souvenir Christmas ornaments, some postcards, and some gear you might need in the park. 

If you go, consider tagging on a trip to Brookgreen Gardens, another site with Huntington family connections, particularly if you are in the area in the off season.   The gardens are essentially across the street, and they feature many seasonal events.  Justin recommends reading The Remarkable Huntingtons, Archer and Anna: Chronicle of a Marriage by Mary Mitchell and Albert Goodrich for good background, as the role of the Huntington marriage is important to both sites and to understanding the family (the book is generally cheaper on site than at Amazon).  If you're looking for more time on site, there's an annual arts and crafts festival at Atalaya in September.   Be mindful of how close you are to Market Common, Coastal Grand Mall, and Broadway at the Beach--it's pretty easy to tag on a part-day trip to Atalaya with another attraction, too.  If you are at any area within the Brunswick Beaches and/or the Grand Strand, Atalaya is driveable adventure. 

Relevant Twitter Handles:
@SC_state_parks
@Brookgreensc