The "Hillwood" estate in Brookville, New York first had its start as a country house named "Warburton Hall" which was designed c. 1911 in the Spanish Revival style by Addison Mizner on 177 acres of land for William Albert Prime, Sr. in what was known as Wheatley Hills. Prime was an industrialist who served as founder of the National Dredging Co. and director of Great Lakes Transit Co., Illinois Ship & Dredge Co., Charles E. & W. F. Peck Insurance, Cuban Oil Co., and Paso Robles Oil. He was also affiliated with the Marsh & McLennan insurance brokerage. Having appeared in the Social Register guide, it is obvious that they were in the high echelons of Long Island society. Prime was an avid horse-racer and yachter, with a 150' long vessel. Prime was also an early member and commodore of the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club. The estate was to be used as a summer home to complement their winter home in Palm Beach, Florida.
