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

Hemingway's Model A Ford: "The Ride" in Key West

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 19, 2024

1. Hemingway's Model A Ford: "The Ride" in Key West Marker

Inscription.

Hemingway's Model A Ford: "The Ride" in Key West. . In the spring of 1928, newlyweds Ernest and Pauline Hemingway left Paris for Key West. They had been encouraged by novelist John Dos Passos to explore the fishing in Key West. When their P&O Ocean Liner docked at Trumbo Pier on April 8th, their brand new Model A Ford Roadster, a wedding gift from Pauline's generous Uncle Gus, was not to be found., The car's delivery was delayed because of problems with the ferries that ran between Key West and Miami. The owners of the Trevor and Morris Ford Dealership, located on Simonton Street, insisted the couple stay in one of the apartments above the dealership. During their stay, Hemingway wrote in the morning and fished from the docks in the afternoon. He also met Key West boat captain Charles Thompson, who would become his lifelong friend. Thompson took Hemingway deep sea fishing while his wife Lorine spent time with Pauline. Soon the two couples forged a deep friendship., While awaiting delivery of the Model A, Hemingway finished most of the first draft of his classic novel of war, regret, and remembrance, A Farewell to Arms. It was clear that Key West was having a positive effect on the speed and clarity of Hemingway's writing., Ernest's attraction to the Key West lifestyle was obvious to Pauline. She began to look for a permanent residence. After two years of renting, she discovered Tift's once grand house at an auction. Her Uncle Gus bought the derelict house for $8,000 and presented it to the couple as a wedding gift., Pauline worked diligently to make the house into a home for Hemingway. She knew Key West provided him with a certain measure of happiness. It would also provide him an exceedingly productive environment for his future novels. All this, thanks to a car that wasn't delivered on time., (captions) , (left) Ernest Hemingway (C) proudly shows his father, mother, and Pauline his new Model A Ford. It was the delay in the delivery of this car that led to Hemingway's love affair with Key West. , (right) The Trevor and Morris Ford Dealership, where Ernest and Pauline first stayed in 1928, was located at 314 Simonton Street.

In the spring of 1928, newlyweds Ernest and Pauline Hemingway left Paris for Key West. They had been encouraged by novelist John Dos Passos to explore the fishing in Key West. When their P&O Ocean Liner docked at Trumbo Pier on April 8th, their brand new Model A Ford Roadster, a wedding gift from Pauline's generous Uncle Gus, was not to be found.

The car's delivery was delayed because of problems with the ferries that ran between Key West and Miami. The owners of the Trevor & Morris Ford Dealership, located on Simonton Street, insisted the couple stay in one of the apartments above the dealership. During their stay, Hemingway wrote in the morning and fished from the docks in the afternoon. He also met Key West boat captain Charles Thompson, who would become his lifelong friend. Thompson took Hemingway deep sea fishing while his wife Lorine spent time with Pauline. Soon the two couples forged a deep friendship.

While awaiting delivery of the Model A, Hemingway finished most of the first draft of his classic novel of war, regret, and remembrance, A Farewell to Arms. It was clear that Key West was having a positive effect

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on the speed and clarity of Hemingway's writing.

Ernest's attraction to the Key West lifestyle was obvious to Pauline. She began to look for a permanent residence. After two years of renting, she discovered Tift's once grand house at an auction. Her Uncle Gus bought the derelict house for $8,000 and presented it to the couple as a wedding gift.

Pauline worked diligently to make the house into a home for Hemingway. She knew Key West provided him with a certain measure of happiness. It would also provide him an exceedingly productive environment for his future novels. All this, thanks to a car that wasn't delivered on time.

(captions)
(left) Ernest Hemingway (C) proudly shows his father, mother, and Pauline his new Model A Ford. It was the delay in the delivery of this car that led to Hemingway's love affair with Key West.
(right) The Trevor & Morris Ford Dealership, where Ernest and Pauline first stayed in 1928, was located at 314 Simonton Street.

Erected by The Hemingway Home and Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 24° 33.082′ N,

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 19, 2024

2. Hemingway's Model A Ford: "The Ride" in Key West Marker

81° 48.039′ W. 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: Miriam Williams: Hemingways' Personal Chef (here, next to this marker); Captains and First Mates: Papa's Teachers of the Sea (here, next to this marker); Arnold Samuelson: An Unlikely and Poignant Alliance (here, next to this

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marker); Asa Tift Designs Fountain to Replicate Ironclad Warship (a few steps from this marker); Construction of the Historic House 1850-1851 (a few steps from this marker); Captain Dexter and Snowball: The First Six-Toed Cat (a few steps from this marker); Ernest Hemingway's Catwalk Commute to Writing Studio (a few steps from this marker); The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum (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 809 times since then and 121 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.