You won’t get very far on the list of famous American writers without mentioning Ernest Hemingway. Not only was he a famous author but Hemingway was also a world traveler. One of his favorite places in the world was Key West. 

Key West was Hemingway’s home for eight years between 1931 and 1939. Even though he moved on after, he retained the title of the house until his death.

But what drew Hemingway to the area and what made him stay so long?

Hemingway Arrives to Key West

In the years preceding his arrival to Key West, Hemingway and his wife lived all over the world from Europe to all around the United States. 

In fact, Hemingway was living in Paris before arriving in Key West in the late 1920’s. Over the next decade, Hemingway would spend his winters in Key West while traveling to other parts of the United States, such as Wyoming.

While he maintained residence in Key West, he was known to say “we have a fine house here, and kids are all well”. While he often took fishing trips and expeditions with close friends, Hemingway seemingly longed for the open plains of the west, referring to Wyoming as “the most beautiful country he had seen in the American West.”

Even though he might have wanted to trade boats for hunting rifles, Key West was the site of some of Hemingway’s most famous works. Here, he wrote “The Snow of Kilimanjaro” and To Have and Have Not, his only novel of the 1930’s.

The Hemingway House

Located at 907 Whitehead St., the Hemingway House is a US National Historic Landmark. The house itself was the first house on the island to have indoor plumbing. 

The house underwent numerous renovations during Hemingway’s time there, including a pool and a surrounding brick wall. The house was purchased for $8,000 (roughly $135,000 in today’s money).

After Hemingway’s death, the house was sold to Bernice Dickens, the founder of the museum. It is still a museum that visitors can stroll through to this day. 

The house was also a filming location for the James Bond film Licence to Kill. Of course, the most famous thing about the house is something completely unique…

The Hemingway Cats

While plenty of people are interested in visiting where Hemingway thought and wrote, lots of people are stopping by to see the unique cats that live on the property.

The cats that live on the property are descendants of the original cats. Many of the cats have six or seven toes, making them one of the house’s more curious things!

Conclusion

If you’re a fan of Hemingway, making a stop to his house is a must. You’ll get to see where this legendary writer spent his winters and wrote some of his best work. Not to mention, Key West's Hemingway Days is the ultimate destination event for literary enthusiasts. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author left an incredible legacy in Key West. The people of Key West celebrate the literary gifts he left, and his lifestyle during Hemingway Days, which usually takes place every July. The events include a look-alike contest, a three-day marlin fishing tournament, readings and book signings, 5k run and Paddleboard race, a Key West style running of the bulls, and more. If you don’t ever make it to Hemingway Days, stop by his home… Plus, you might get to pet a six-toed cat!