Washington, D.C., District of Columbia story
A Cinematic Shortcut
Some landmarks are built for glory, and others are built for cable cars. In 1895, George Killeen built a staircase in Georgetown to serve as a pedestrian shortcut, connecting Pros…
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Some landmarks are built for glory, and others are built for cable cars. In 1895, George Killeen built a staircase in Georgetown to serve as a pedestrian shortcut, connecting Prospect and 36th Streets to M Street. For decades, it was just a way to get around town.
But in 1972, it became a piece of cinematic history when it was used as a filming location for the movie The Exorcist. To keep the stunt performer safe during that iconic scene, the seventy-five steps were actually padded with foam. Today, the stairs are an official D.C.
tourist site, complete with a commemorative plaque unveiled by Mayor Muriel Bowser. It's a strange blend of late-nineteenth-century utility and seventies horror movie fame, making it one of the most uniquely recognized spots in the neighborhood.
Updated June 2026