Hemingway House Key West, Florida

Key West is such a great town, far away from my daily grind in Arlington, Virginia. There’s palm trees, hot sun, tropical breeze, Mallory Square at sunset, Mile Marker Zero, Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shoppe, Two Cent Bar, Fort Jefferson/Dry Tortuga and Hemingway House

Once, while visiting Oak Park, Illinois in the early 90’s to tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s early homes, I discovered that Ernest Hemingway was raised here in a house on North Oak Park Avenue. It was only fitting then, since I was in Key West, to tour his winter home from the 30’s.

The house was built between 1848 - 1851 in a French Colonial style by marine architect and salvager, Asa Tilt. It has 18” thick limestone exterior walls to protect it from tropical storms and hurricanes and a central hall with the principle rooms on either side. These rooms open on to a wrap around balcony on the upper floor and a terrace on the main floor.

Hemingway and his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer, spent the winters here between 1931 and 1939. They are responsible for most of the renovations and gardens. A tour of the house and garden is a must, if you are ever in Kew West.

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