Five Places in Wyoming Where Ernest Hemingway Got Drunk
Ernest Hemingway once said, "there are two places I love; Africa and Wyoming.”
He also wrote, "Don't bother with government buildings or city squares; if you want to know about a culture, spend a night in its bars."
It's safe to say Hemingway "learned" a lot about Wyoming culture over the years. The legendary author ranks right up there with Andre the Giant among the greatest drunks of all time.
Here's a few watering holes where Hemingway got hammered right here in the Cowboy State.
1. The Last Chance Saloon in Big Horn - Hemingway first visited Wyoming in 1929 and immediately fell in love with the Big Horn Mountains. After a stay at the historic Sheridan Inn, he took up residence at the nearby Spear-O-Wagon Ranch and wrote the classic novel "A Farewell to Arms".
Although prohibition was the law of the land in 1929, The Last Chance Saloon in the nearby town of Big Horn, Wyoming, was a local speak-easy that inspired Hemingway's short story "Wine of Wyoming"
2. The Irma Hotel Saloon in Cody - Hemingway returned to Wyoming in 1932, where he spent several months fishing in and around Yellowstone National Park. During the time, he was a frequent guest at several local bars. He completed the draft for "Death in the Afternoon" while staying at the nearby Chamberlin Inn.
Hemingway would return to northwestern Wyoming throughout his life, eventually establishing a summer home at the L Bar T Ranch near the outpost of Painter.
3. The Cheyenne Depot - In addition to Wyoming and alcohol, Hemingway also loved women. The third of his four marriages took place on November 21, 1940, when he wed New York Times reporter Martha Gellhorn at the Justice of the Peace office in Cheyenne.
Their reception was held at the historic Cheyenne Depot and was later depicted in the 2012 HBO movie “Hemingway and Gellhorn”.
4. The World Famous Wonder Bar in Casper - In July of 1946, Hemingway and his fourth wife Mary drove through Casper on a cross-country trip. After staying at the nearby Mission Motor Court, the author famously washed down a steak and fries with several beers at this historic bar.
The next morning, Mary was rushed to the Natrona County Hospital where she reportedly suffered a miscarriage and nearly died.
5. The Crandall Ranger Station - Hemingway's visits to Wyoming typically included his four favorite past times: writing, drinking, fishing and hunting. During one hunting trip in 1930, he fell off his horse and was injured.
After borrowing a car and driving to Cody, Hemingway was patched up by a local doctor who gave him a bottle of "Oscar Pepper Whiskey" for the pain, which he drank on a picnic table outside of the old ranger station.
Aided by a little "liquid courage", the banged-up writer then hiked up to Crandall Creek and shot his first bear.