1239 North Dearborn

Many will know about Ernest Hemingway's childhood years in Oak Park and the house museum there in his honor. But what about the three months he spent as a Gold Coast renter in 1921? Indeed, Hemingway and first wife Hadley Richardson moved into a 4th floor walkup unit at 1239 N. Dearborn Ave following their Wisconsin honeymoon. The handsome brick townhouse and its apartments were in rather shabby shape 100 years ago, and the neighborhood was far from the luxury enclave it is today. Not yet an established writer, this was still considered a pivotal year in the young author's life. He spent this time writing ad copy and devouring literature. Hemingway's next move would be to Paris, where he befriended such legends as Pablo Picasso and Gertrude Stein. For years, the house's first floor hallway has been set up as an informal Hemingway Museum. It will be on view again during Open House Chicago