Our Amazing History: John Steinbeck
Literary Haven: Steinbeck and the Hamptons
In the late 1950s and 1960s, the Hamptons became a popular retreat for notable American authors seeking tranquility close to New York City. Among them were literary giants like Edward Albee, James Jones, Truman Capote, Joseph Heller, and Irwin Shaw.
John Steinbeck, drawn to Sag Harbor’s resemblance to the fishing towns of Salinas and Monterey that inspired works like The Grapes of Wrath, Tortilla Flat, and Of Mice and Men, also made the Hamptons his home. These earlier novels vividly depicted the devastating impact of the Depression on working-class families.
Steinbeck purchased a modest house overlooking the serene Sag Harbor Cove. On his property, he constructed a small, 100-square-foot hexagonal studio. Starting in 1955, this dedicated space provided him with a quiet sanctuary for his daily writing.
Life and Legacy in Sag Harbor
Steinbeck’s afternoons in Sag Harbor were a blend of leisure and observation. He’d fish from his boat or explore the former whaling town, which by then was a working-class community where men carried lunchpails, ate by the noon whistle, and unwound at local bars like the Black Buoy or Sandbar after their 5 p.m. punch-out. Evenings were spent at home with his wife, Elaine, and their dog, Charley.
A New Chapter of Creativity
At 53, Steinbeck arrived in Sag Harbor with his most acclaimed works seemingly behind him, and recent publications hadn’t been well-received. However, the 13 years he spent there proved to be remarkably productive. In 1961, he penned The Winter of Our Discontent, a novel about a once-wealthy family striving for success in a fictional town inspired by Sag Harbor.
This was followed by Travels with Charley: In Search of America. Feeling he might have lost touch with the everyday American, Steinbeck embarked on a 10,000-mile journey across the country in a camper, accompanied only by his dog, Charley. He meticulously documented his observations and encounters, and, unbeknownst to his readers at the time, also wrote heartfelt letters to his wife. Published in 1962, the book resonated deeply with a new generation of readers and brought him renewed success.
The Nobel Prize and Quiet Enjoyment
Later that same year, in 1962, Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, the highest honor a writer can receive. Despite this global recognition, he primarily sought to enjoy a quiet life with family and friends during those years. However, in 1964, he embraced his local fame by participating as the centerpiece of the annual Old Whalers Festival (now called HarborFest), riding in the lead convertible during the parade.
Enduring Legacy
Sag Harbor has retained its charm since Steinbeck’s passing at age 66, even amidst the influx of celebrity and resort development. Interestingly, recently released letters from his Travels with Charley journey reveal a more comfortable side to his travels than depicted in the book, with Steinbeck, then in his 60s, occasionally staying in well-run hotels and asking his wife to send him various items.
Two years ago, a new public space, the John Steinbeck Waterfront Park, was established west of Long Wharf. This year, his modest waterfront home, including the distinctive hexagonal studio, was put up for sale by his descendants for approximately $17 million. The property spans 1.8 acres, boasts 586 feet of waterfront, a swimming pool, and a cottage. It is hoped that local authorities will preserve this significant property for scholars and visitors, much like the Pollock-Krasner House in Springs.
