The Midwest is often seen as an author’s paradise for inspiration, especially for one renowned writer: Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway.
While many are familiar with his name, some may be surprised to learn that he and his family spent their summers in Northern Michigan.
Originally from Oak Park, Illinois, the Hemingway family would travel north each summer to their cottage, Windemere, located on Walloon Lake.
Here, Hemingway developed his love for nature and his passion for writing, crafting many of his short stories, including The Nick Adams Stories and Torrents of Spring.
While you can still visit the cottage in Walloon Lake, the nearby town of Petoskey, Michigan, is home to many historic sites related to Hemingway.
Ernest Hemingway’s historic sites
According to PureMichigan, here are some places to visit:
Little Traverse Historical Museum
Built by the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad in 1892, this building later served as the central area station of the Pere Marquette Railroad. Hemingway references this station in “The Indians Moved Away.” The station was later converted into a museum and now houses a permanent exhibit dedicated to Hemingway.
Perry Hotel
Constructed in 1899, the Perry Hotel is the last original resort hotel in Petoskey. Hemingway stayed here in 1916 after a hiking and camping trip in northwest Lower Michigan. Since 1990, the Perry Hotel has served as headquarters for an annual “Hemingway Weekend” organized by the Michigan Hemingway Society.
Jesperson’s Restaurant
Established in 1903, this Petoskey favorite is renowned for its home-style cooking and pies. It was said to be a favorite hangout for Hemingway.
City Park Grill
A landmark constructed in 1879, Hemingway reportedly enjoyed playing billiards here and watching the bare-knuckle boxing matches that were held in the nearby park.
Cutler’s Building
In the early 1900s, this building was home to the New Braun Hotel and Restaurant, which appears to have inspired “Brown’s Beanery: Best by Test” in The Torrents of Spring.
Carnegie Building
The original Library was a favorite haunt of Hemingway’s when he was living in Petoskey during the winter of 1919-20. In December 1919, he spoke here to the Ladies’ Aid Society about his experiences in World War I.
Travel to Petoskey from Chicago
The drive takes approximately five and a half hours via US-131 North.
