Hemingway House - Key West, Florida

Hemingway House - Victorian style home 1851

It was Ernest Hemingway's friend, John Dos Pasos, who first suggested Florida as a place to live. That was in Paris. The year was 1928. He'd recently married journalist Pauline Pfeiffer who wanted to return to the USA.

So off they went, to Key West. But life still had some curve balls to throw before they could settle down. Pauline suffered a difficult pregnancy and the birth of their son Patrick took its toll on her health. Hemingway fictionalized this in A Farewell to Arms. His own burgeoning career also kept him on the road, not the least of which was a trip to Spain for research on Death in the Afternoon.

Hemingway House - Key West, Florida

But it all came together in 1931 when he, Pauline, their cherished collection of European art and antiques collected in Paris, and several local cats, all settled into the spacious, two-story home in Key West, with its filigree of ironwork porches wrapping around all four sides, and shuttered french doors, flung open to allow the Caribbean breezes to waft through.

The Hemingways' bedroom, with a chandelier brought back from Europe

Asa Tift, marine engineer and salvage wrecker, built the home in 1851, using limestone from the site. It featured such luxuries as indoor plumbing and the first swimming pool in Key West. Very sturdily built, it survived many hurricanes in which nearby homes were destroyed.

Hemingway House - First Floor Plan

With every room having multiple exposures and opening onto shaded balconies, the home takes full advantage of the balmy local climate. Breezes keep it cool on the hottest days, while it shelters under its broad roof overhangs.

Drawings for this Hemingway House 1851 are available at Historic American Homes.

The porch is double story, so the bedrooms on the second floor benefit from its shelter as well. Virtually every room has doors opening out onto it, providing communion with the lush surrounding landscape.

Hemingway House - Second Floor Plan

Hemingway and Pauline Pfeiffer lived in the home until 1939, after which they separated and later divorced. Though Hemingway spent little time in the home after that he retained ownership up until his death in 1961.

After his death the home was turned into a museum honoring him and his work. The descendants of his cats continue to live there today and are a major attraction.

This beautiful home, built along simple and substantial lines, is a model for homes in warm-humid climates. The wrap-around porches and rooms with multiple exposures capture local breezes while keeping rooms shaded. The generous depth of the balconies encourages outdoor living and enjoyment of the surrounding nature.

With a ceiling height of around 12' on the ground floor the rooms feel spacious and almost grand, if it weren't for way the french doors, porches and terraces foster an informal and relaxed lifestyle.

Drawings for this Hemingway House 1851 are available at Historic American Homes.