Hemingway’s Haunted Home

Today people still hear the tap, click, click, and clack of his typewriter early in the morning.

Ernest Hemingway, the American novelist who wrote, A Farewell To Arms and The Old Man and the Sea, won both the Pulitzer and the Nobel Prize in the early 1950s.

Key West Home

In the 1920s and 30s, Hemingway lived with his second of four wives, Pauline and their two sons in Key West, Florida. The couple bought a run-down house built in 1851. They then lovingly restored this home.

Ernest told friends that when he died, he intended to spend his afterlife in this home. It appears he kept his word.

While living in Key West Hemingway was a prolific writer. He spent the early morning hours in the homes’ loft writing on his favorite Corona typewriter. * He wrote all but three of his novels during this period.

Hemingway at age 21 then most famous photo of him.

In 1940, he divorced Pauline and moved to Cuba with his third wife, but he often returned to his beloved Key West. Pauline lived in the home until her death.

Shortly after his death in 1961, Hemingway’s ghost was first seen at this Key West home.

A couple, walking past the house looked up and saw him on the second-floor veranda. He waved at them, and they waved back.

Later they were informed that this was not possible for he was dead. Shocked, they realized they had seen a ghost.

Tragically, Hemingway, while living in Idaho with his fourth wife, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His fourth wife claimed it was an accident, but it was a suicide.

  

Second-floor veranda

Since this first sighting, many witnesses have seen Hemingway standing on this veranda. He always waves.

He is also seen wandering through the house and grounds. Witnesses state they were startled while in the loft. As mentioned, the keys of his typewriter are head striking, and he is seen standing at the window in this room.

Hemingway and Pauline's
wedding photograph

Neighbors and visitors have also spotted Pauline’s ghost. She is observed standing at the entry gate smoking a cigarette. After these sightings, people find the butts of her favorite brand lying on the sidewalk.

While living in Key West, Hemingway befriended a sea captain. When this man sailed, Hemingway agreed to take care of his six-toed cat. Descendants of this cat still live at home.

It seems this cat became attached to the house, just like Hemingway, for his ghost is observed roaming the property. This six-toed feline is often seen guarding the pet cemetery in the garden.

When Pauline died the mansion was bought and turned into a house museum, visitors can take a guided or self-guided tour.

* Hemingway always wrote longhand first then he typed up his notes.

Here is a short video tour of his home.