Hemingway House in Key West Florida Features Amazing Six-Toed Cats
The Hemingway House in Key West, Florida is a historical landmark that was once the home of renowned American author Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway lived in the house from 1931 to 1939, and during that time, he wrote some of his most famous works, including “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.”
Today, the Hemingway House is a popular tourist attraction that draws visitors from all over the world. The house itself is a beautiful example of Spanish Colonial architecture, with high ceilings, ornate tilework, and a lush tropical garden that features a swimming pool and a collection of statues.
One of the main draws of the Hemingway House is the famous six-toed cats that live on the property. These cats, which are believed to be descendants of Hemingway’s own pets, are cared for by staff members and are a popular photo opportunity for visitors.
In addition to exploring the house and garden, visitors can take a guided tour to learn more about Hemingway’s life and work. The tour covers Hemingway’s writing process, his relationships with other writers and artists, and his time spent in Key West.
The Hemingway House is also home to a gift shop that sells books, souvenirs, and Hemingway-related memorabilia. The Hemingway House is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in literature, history, or architecture, and it offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of one of America’s most famous writers.
The Hemingway House Cats
There are six-toed cats at the Hemingway House in Key West, Florida because they are believed to be descendants of a cat named Snowball that was given to Ernest Hemingway by a ship’s captain. Snowball was a white polydactyl (six-toed) cat, and Hemingway was reportedly so fond of him that he named him after a character in his book “To Have and Have Not”.
Hemingway was known to be a cat lover, and he was especially enamored with Snowball and his unique extra toes. Over time, Snowball mated with other cats in the area, and his polydactyl trait was passed down to subsequent generations of cats that lived on the Hemingway property.
Today, the Hemingway House is home to approximately 40 to 50 cats, many of whom are polydactyls. The cats are cared for by a team of staff and volunteers, who provide them with food, water, and medical care. The cats are a popular attraction for visitors to the Hemingway House, and they can often be seen lounging on the property’s lush gardens or in the house itself.
The Hemingway cats have become an important part of the Hemingway House’s history and legacy, and they are a beloved symbol of the property and the author who once called it home.
