The Pool

The pool, built in the late 1930's, is 65 ft long and 9 ft deep it is still the longest pool and first residential pool built in Key West, it is filled from a saltwater well in the old smokehouse.

Hemmingway himself planned the pool, but his job as a war correspondent during the Spanish Civil War interrupted his plans and Pauline was left to supervise the construction. When Hemmingway saw the finished pool upon his return to Key West From Spain he was astounded at the final cost of $20,000.00. This was a lot of money back then and prompted Hemingway to take a penny from his pocket give it to Pauline and say laughingly, 'Well, you might as well take my last cent.' Hemmingway's 'last cent' can be seen in the cement of the pool patio even today.