Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Ernest Hemingway's Catwalk Commute to Writing Studio

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 19, 2024

1. Ernest Hemingway's Catwalk Commute to Writing Studio Marker

Inscription. Ernest Hemingway resided here from 1931-1939. During that time, he enjoyed a short commute to his writing studio via a catwalk that once spanned across the gallery roof, connecting the master bedroom porch and his writing studio.

Hemingway wrote daily from 6am until noon, producing about 500-700 words each day. Seventy percent of Hemingway's works were written during the nine years he lived in this house.

Some of the works Hemingway wrote while living in Key West:

• A Farewell To Arms • Death In the Afternoon • Winner Take Nothing • Green Hills of Africa • To Have and Have Not • The Fifth Column and the First Forty-nine Stories • For Whom the Bell Tolls

(captions)
(left) Hemingway on the spiral stairs leading to his writing studio.
(center) The catwalk leading to the writing studio was destroyed by Hurricane 7 on September 21, 1948. It was never replaced.
(right) After its loss, a matching rail was welded into place to form the railing you see today.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music.

Location. 24° 33.073′ N, 81° 48.033′ W.

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Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from the intersection of Whitehead Street and Olivia Street, on the left when traveling south. Located on the grounds of the Hemingway Home and Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 907 Whitehead St, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Construction of the Historic House 1850-1851 (here, next to this marker); Bernice Dixon: Visionary for Hemingway Memorial (here, next to this marker); The Brick Wall: Hemingway's "Privacy Fence" (a few steps from this marker); The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 19, 2024

2. Ernest Hemingway's Catwalk Commute to Writing Studio Marker

(a few steps from this marker); Asa Tift Designs Fountain to Replicate Ironclad Warship (a few steps from this marker); The Hemingway Pool an Unprecedented Architectural Feat (a few steps from this marker); Hemingway Boxing in Life and Writing (a few steps from this marker); Asa Tift's Smokehouse, circa 1850 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 609 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 19, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.