Nassau County Photo Archives Center

William C. Atwater commissioned construction on his Brightwaters estate on Seafield Lane around 1903, a ten-acre estate with 1,000 feet of waterfront property on Quantuck Bay.  Henry Bacon, part of the architectural firm responsible for constructing many Hampton estates, McKim, Mead, & White designed this summer home for Atwater and his family.  Bacon is most noted for his design of the Lincoln Memorial at Washington D.C. 

 

Atwater himself was a prominent coal baron.  He acted as chairman of the board of the William C. Atwater Companies in both New York and Massachusetts and also at the American Coal Company.  As most successful businessmen of this era, Atwater sought to relocate with his family for the summer months.  In Westhampton, Atwater supported an avid sailing hobby.  He sailed competitively at the Quantuck and Westhampton Yacht Clubs, a legacy which remains known to this day.

 

The Brightwaters estate still stands today.  Most recently, it was for sale with an asking price around 24 million dollars. 

 

 

 

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• Brightwaters for sale