Most Haunted Places in America: Hemingway House
On the south side of Key West Florida lays one of the most haunted places in the America, the Hemingway House holds not only the legacy of its owner Ernest Hemingway, but his undying spirit still roams the property over 48 years later. Known as one of the most prominent authors of the 20th century, Ernest Hemingway lived in the mansion on the south end of Key West Florida from 1931-1940 and owned the magnificent structure until his death in 1961.
He wrote some of his best literary works while living in the home such as A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and Snow of Kilimanjaro. He moved out of the home in 1940 and participated in World War II with the Navy and attended the Spanish Civil War to report on its happenings with Northern America. Today the home is a museum that focuses on the author and his legendary life and literary works.
Built in 1851 by Asa Tift the colonial southern style home was created with limestone that was quarried from the site. Because of its location and building materials used , the home has withstood several hurricanes over the decade and a half that the Hemingway House has been around. It was uniquely decorated with furnishings that were brought by his wife Paulina when she lived in Paris among the several collectible paintings that filled the room by Hemingway himself. One of the most unique pieces of the home was a fountain that was once a urinal at Sloppy Joe’s, which was a local bar owned by his close friend Joe Russel. Its also home to the largest pool in Key West which is 65 feet long and 9 feet deep which unlike other pools was filled with salt water. The house became a part of the National Historic Society shortly after his death.
The house is not only well known for the rich history on Hemingway’s life but its also known for the descendants of his cats. These are not just ordinary cats, each one has 6 to 7 toes on each paw. In total there are about 60 cats that roam around the Hemingway property. It has also been told by Patrick, Ernest Hemingway’s son that his father had owned peacocks while living in Key West. These cats are a main attraction at the museum and patrons enjoy watching them run around the property.
Over the years thousands of visitors have walked through the halls of the now museum have not only explored the life and legacy of Hemingway’s work, but some have said to have seen the spirit of Ernest himself! People have claimed that they have seen his apparition walking along the balcony and other have heard him typing away on his typewriter when they would walk past the writing room. These strange occurrences began shortly after his suicide in 1961.
Take a trip over to Key West and explore the sights and sounds. While you are there take a look at the Hemingway House and have a meal at Sloppy Joe’s where visitors can sit at the same bar stool as the author himself. You just might meet the renowned author while out taking a guided tour at his famous home.
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Traveled to Key West last week for the first time since I was a kid in 1968. We visited the Hemingway House the last day we were there, June 9Th 2010. There were 46 cats still present on the property including a large,orange,long hair tabby which crawled under Ernest’s bed to nap as we watched.
It was so hot in the house, I was sure it had to have been a reason Hemingway killed himself. But something odd happened while in the house.
As I waited for a woman to descend the narrow staircase, I noticed an odd distortion atop the stairs on the landing. It looked like heat rising off the road in the distance for just a moment. I was not sure what I’d seen and believed sweat in my eyes had clouded my vision. But as I climbed to the top of the stairs myself and turned left, the right side of my body encountered a cold spot. From my right shoulder to my wrist It felt like I’d stuck my arm in the fridge for a half second, no more. I took a few steps before realizing what had happened. I turned around and walked back to the spot where I felt the sensation on my arm but it was no longer there, if it ever was. *Note:(correction) The house has stood at this site for a century and a half.
I traveled to Key West on June 14th, 2010. I had quite an experience there. The house was really a site to see and had many cats running around. There was lots of artifacts to see that Ernest Hemingway owned and it was cool to see where he did his everyday living like cooking, eating, and sleeping. At one point being the curious person I am, I went into a blocked off area that led to the basement which was also blocked off by a gate. It was to dark, you could barely see inside of the cellar but you could see stuff like chairs and what not had been stored in their. I picked up on lots of bad vibes in that section of the house and you could almost hear things like little footsteps and movements in the basement. The most coincidental part was when I got my girlfriend to show her we tried to take a picture into the dark basement of the house and right when we tried the camera’s battery miraculously died at that moment. Anyone could sum up what it really is with their own perception but I definitely believe there are spirits in that house and weird things went on in the basement. Anyway, be sure to try and see it if you can.