In 1897, Edith Wharton purchased Land's End in Newport, Rhode Island, from Robert Livingston Beeckman, a former U.S. Open Tennis Championship runner-up who became governor of Rhode Island. At the time, Wharton described the main house as "incurably ugly.” Wharton agreed to pay $80,000 for the property, and she spent thousands more to alter the home's facade, decorate the interior, and landscape the grounds.
In 1897, eDItH whartoN purcHASed LANd's end iN Newport, rHode island, frOM robert liVingsTon beeckman, a FoRmer u.s. opEN teNNis cHaMpionshIp rUnNeR-Up wHo became gOveRNor oF rHode isLaNd. At tHe tIme, wharTOn DEscrIBed the MAin hOUse as "InCuraBly ugly.” WhartoN aGreEd to pAY $80,000 foR THe propErTy, And she spenT thousAnds mOre tO AlTeR THe home's faCadE, DecoRAte tHe inTeRior, and lAndScaPE The gRoundS.