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By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life Published October, 2020. KEY WEST_ Here in this tropical paradise, featuring some of the Sunshine State's best fishing, shopping and nightlife, the top tourist attraction is instead a two-story house. Not just any house, but the house once occupied by American writing icon Ernest Hemingway. Situated on 1.5 lush acres, Hemingway and wife Pauline lived in this French Colonial-style residence at 907 Whitehead from 1931 until 1939. Originally built in 1851 by prominent marine architect Asa Tift, the property, which had fallen into disrepair, was a wedding gift to the Hemingways from Pauline's uncle. Extensive renovations and improvements followed, and Hemingway penned some of his famous works at his writing studio, on the second floor of the carriage house. Just as famous as its occupants is the population of polydactyl -- six-toed -- cats that roam the grounds. There are currently around 60 of the best-cared-for cats in the country -- each named after a famous celebrity -- lounging on benches, grooming themselves by the pool or sleeping on Hemingway's bed. Let's take the tour: |
A view of the house from the back courtyard
Photos by North Palm Beach Life
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You enter off Whitehead Street in Old Town ...
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Like other guests, Pam and I wore our masks and observed social distancing. Walking the lush gardens and grounds is as interesting as walking through the house.
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The famous six-toed cats greet you at every turn ...
Sorry -- only cats allowed on the Hemingway bed
Exercise -- what's that?
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Pam makes some new friends
Ho hum. Another day in paradise.
His job is guard the pool
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The 50 or so six-toed cats who call the Hemingway House home are said to be descended from a white six-toed cat gifted to the author by a by a ship’s captain, named Snow White. In marine lore, they are considered lucky. They are cared for a on-staff vet and each is named after a famous person. You might be petting Frank Sinatra or Marilyn Monroe.
Touring the rooms...
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Left is Hemingway's second floor bedroom, complete with cats; above and right, views of his studio where he created some of his best work.
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There are numerous portraits of Hemingway, along with his typewriters and framed photos of his exploits, friends and wives.
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Touring the grounds ...
Looking from the porch to the entrance
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The pool
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An adjacent courtyard
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As the story goes, Hemingway was so incensed by what the pool cost (he had been away to Europe during construction) he pulled a penny out of his pocket and told Pauline to take his last red cent. She did -- and
had it embedded in the concrete, right. |
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A side stair
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The story of this water jar
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In closing ...
Across the street is the Key West
Lighthouse and Museum |
No mask requirements for the cats
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Hemingway had this privacy wall built
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