When F. Scott Fitzgerald lived in St. Paul, Minnesota the University Club at the top of Ramsey Hill was a favorite hangout. Years ago I did a theme of the houses where F. Scott lived and aspects of his life in this fair city, and I think that I will do it again in the future. Probably in spring when the Midwest world is again in full colour. In the basement of this club resides a very long mahogany bar with thousands of names of local revelers carved in the surface. On a hunt to find F. Scott's signature I discovered it after several tries, and, much to my delight, next to it was the name of my now-deceased very proper mother-in-law. I wish that I had found it when she was still alive so I could have teased her about it. Ah, local lore--how fun it is!!
PS. Years ago during a F. Scott Fitgerald conference there, I met his daughter Scotty, a very gracious woman who gladly autographed a book for my students.
Interesting text today.
ReplyDelete"a single green light, minute and faraway, that might have been the end of a dock."
This is a fascinating post! How fortunate you are to have all these connections to a literary icon.
ReplyDeleteThat part about your oh-so-proper mother-in-law was delicious. I have a feeling we'd be quite surprised if we knew the shenanigans our ancestors had been engaged in...
...as will our descendents! :-)
I love Lowell's comment about and agree. It's great to have this little bit of history so close at hand.
ReplyDeleteFun bit of history, Kate!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great story! I wonder if you took a picture of those carved names.
ReplyDeleteAn intriguing post today, Kate. Yes, please repeat the series. You have newer followers now.
ReplyDeleteI would very much like to see you repeat the series. I am an avid reader. :)
ReplyDeleteI have never seen the series. Would live it if you ran it again.
ReplyDeleteGreat story about the MiL. :)
I love this post - waiting for the repeat tour next spring!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to see where famous people hang out. We always see Shirley Mac Laine at Starbucks.
ReplyDeleteOur St. Paul friends are members there and so we have enjoyed a few meals with them there!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post, I didn't even know that he had a daughter...
ReplyDelete«Louis» had forgotten that Fitzgerald had lived there.
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