You’ve probably heard of Ernest Hemingway, but did you know that Ernest Hemingway had a deep connection to northern Michigan? This famous American author spent many childhood summers visiting his family's cottage on the shores of Walloon Lake. These early childhood experiences would help the author create settings for many of his novels and short stories.
Step back in time and visit the places that inspired Ernest Hemingway to write some of his most famous works.
• The Red Fox Inn
One of the earliest homes in Horton Bay, the Red Fox Inn is now a bookstore that specializes in Hemingway titles and memorabilia.
• Greensky Hill Church
This historic religious site is a sacred place for Native Americans in Northern Michigan. Hemingway wrote several stories about Nick Adams at the “Indian Camp,” “The Doctor and the Doctor’s Wife,” “Ten Indians,” “The Indians Moved Away,” and “Fathers and Sons.”
• Horton Bay General Store
Opened in 1876, this store remains open for business today. Hemingway was a regular at this general store during his childhood and early adulthood. He described this store in “Up in Michigan” and it may have been the model for Mr. Packard’s store in “The Last Good Country.” Stop by to view Hemingway photos and memorabilia on display.
• The Township School in Horton Bay
Located down the road from the Horton Bay General Store, the school stands across the road from what was the site of the village blacksmith. Each of these locations was mentioned in “Up in Michigan” and “The Indians Moved Away.”
• Public Access Site and Boat Launch on Lake Charlevoix
The public access site, located in Horton Bay on Lake Street, has open views of the bay, the woods, and the beach leading to Ten Mile Point. Hemingway used this bay and surrounding area for “The End of Something,” “Summer People,” “On Writing,” and “Up in Michigan.”
• Schulz Nature, Nick Adams, and Horton Creek Nature Preserves
Hemingway roamed this area as a boy and young man, using the country setting in “Big Two-Hearted River.” The creek and terrain are very important elements in Hemingway’s country settings.
• Charlevoix Historical Society Museum
Visit the Harsha House Museum to view the original registrar Hemingway signed for his marriage certificate to Hadley Richardson. The couple would later be married on the shores of Horton Bay.
• Perry Hotel
The Perry Hotel is one of the last original resort hotels in Petoskey. Hemingway stayed here in 1916 after a hiking and camping trip in northwest lower Michigan. Enjoy the historic grandeur of this property.
• City Park Grill
This restaurant is a Petoskey landmark and it’s rumored to have been a regular stop for Ernest Hemingway.
• Little Traverse Historical Museum
The Little Traverse Historical Museum has an Ernest Hemingway exhibit depicting the author’s early life in Northern Michigan. Learn more about this famous author and his life in northern Michigan.
For a more detailed guide or information about Ernest Hemingway, visit the Michigan Hemingway Society.
