"Papa" Hemingway

It was on the advice of fellow writer John Dos Pasos in Paris that prompted Hemingway to visit Key West. Upon arrival in Key West via Havana Cuba, the first order of business was to locate the new Ford Roadster Pauline's wealthy Uncle Gus had so generously purchased for them. Because the car had been delayed in transit, the Ford dealership insisted that they take up residence in an apartment located above the showroom. Soon Hemingway established his routine of writing during the early mornings when the temperature was coolest, while taking time to explore his new surroundings in the afternoons. He resumed work on a war story he had started on the passage to Key West. Hemingway worked avidly on his novel in the mornings. The novel, which was published in fall of 1929, was "A Farewell To Arms".

Soon after arrival, Hemingway made the acquaintance of Charles Thompson who ran the local hardware store. Charles Thompson introduced Hemingway to the exciting world of big game sport fishing, and a long friendship was born. Charles and his wife Lorine entertained the Hemingways at their home on Fleming Street. Lorine Thompson proved to be as friendly and gracious as her husband Charles, and it was during those early days in Key West she and Pauline forged a friendship that would endure for the rest of their lives. After two seasons in Key West, Pauline's Uncle Gus purchased the house on Whitehead Street for them. Hemingway's personal touches still abound throughout the house, many of the unique furnishing are European antiques collected during their stay on the continent. The trophy mounts and skins were souvenirs of Hemingway's African safaris and numerous hunting expeditions out west. The author's presence can still be felt in his studio where he produced some of his most well known works. A very visible and living link to the past are the descendants of Hemingway's cats. The story goes that Hemingway made the acquaintance of a sea captain who owned an unusual six-toed tomcat. Upon his departure from Key West, the captain presented the cat to Hemingway. Today many of the numerous cats that inhabit the grounds still possess the unusual six toes.

Legend has it that Hemingway owned the home from 1931 until his passing in 1961. The Spanish Colonial style home was constructed of native rock hewn from the grounds and boasts the first pool built in Key West. The pool, built in the late 1930's, cost $20,000. This price prompted Hemingway to take a penny from his pocket and press it into the wet cement of the surrounding patio and announce jokingly, "Here, take the last penny I've got!" That penny is still there.

His friends Charles Thompson, Joe Russell (also known as Sloppy Joe), and Capt. Eddie "Bra" Saunders, together with his old Paris friends became known as the "The Key West Mob". The "Mob" would go fishing to the Dry Tortugas, Bimini, and Cuba for days and weeks at a time in pursuit of giant tuna and marlin. Everyone in the "Mob" had a nickname; this was the time Hemingway became known as "Papa". Numerous works were based on the people and places he encountered. Hemingway's Key West was a town unlike any place he ever experienced. The town was filled with interesting people from the well to do, to the down-on-their-luck fishermen and wreckers. Hemingway used most of these people as characters in his novel "To Have and Have Not" which is about Key West during the depression, and in his succeeding works.

After Ernest and Pauline divorced in 1939, Hemingway took up residence in Cuba. Key West became an overnight station during the 40's and 50's for Hemingway until his death in 1961.

Throughout the years, Key West has housed many writers and artists, but none whose presence and influence is as profound as Ernest Hemingway's.

Application to go Fishing