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All the United States Washington, D.C. The Exorcist Stairs
AO Edited

The Exorcist Stairs

The site of the climactic scene from the classic horror film is now a historic landmark.

Washington, D.C.

Added By
Leslie McIntyre
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  Tony Nicholls / Atlas Obscura User
  dmvfille / Atlas Obscura User
bottom of the steps   teddrake / Atlas Obscura User
The stairs at night, in rain   LiamY / Atlas Obscura User
From top of steps. Exxon station parking lot at bottom.   Maharaji Rastafari / Atlas Obscura User
  samanthanichols70 / Atlas Obscura User
Steeper IRL   notoriousFIG / Atlas Obscura User
The MacNeil’s residence in the film   bakedinthehole / Atlas Obscura User
A plaque added to the bottom of the stairs in 2015 when the stairs were designated a local historic site   bakedinthehole / Atlas Obscura User
A nearby plaque noting Georgetown’s history of film   bakedinthehole / Atlas Obscura User
(October 2020)   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
Plaque   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
  Tony Nicholls / Atlas Obscura User
on a rainy day   Avoiding Regret
Stairs up   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Long way up   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Long way down, I would hate to trip.   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Filmed in DC!   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
  IgFan / Atlas Obscura User
  IgFan / Atlas Obscura User
  IgFan / Atlas Obscura User
50 years of The Exorcist by Global News Canada  
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About

Sometimes, a cold wind will chill the bones of passersby walking through Georgetown in the darkness of night. If you happen to find yourself at the spot where M Street becomes Canal Road, you might notice an exceptionally long, steep staircase wedged between a stone wall and a brick warehouse.

For some, these stairs might look like little more than a daunting climb, but fans of the 1973 horror movie The Exorcist will likely recognize the site of the climactic final showdown between the self-sacrificing priest and the demon who possesses 12-year-old Regan.

The stairs themselves, which provide a shortcut between Prospect Street NW above and Canal Road NW below, are made somewhat inherently creepy by their narrow dimensions and ivy-covered walls. The payoff upon reaching the top is minimal, revealing a rather bland concrete pathway leading to the steps. Still, it's a worthwhile stop for movie buffs or anyone looking to incorporate a touch of spookiness into their daily workout.

But if you're a fan of geographically accurate films, then there's more to see than just the stairs. Fans will remember how Father Karras (Jason Miller) launched himself from Regan's window onto the aforementioned stairs below. Though the exterior window was built for the film, the MacNeil's house at 3600 Prospect Street sits right next to the stairs, looking nearly just as it did in the iconic film. While it is a private residence, the homeowners are very welcoming of fans taking photos next to the gate, trying their best to recreate the iconic poster. 

Related Tags

Ao Loves Halloween Film Locations Satanic Worship Stairs Architectural Oddities Architecture

Know Before You Go

Drive east along M Street. Just before it turns into Canal, you will see a lot on the right. You can pull over and park here. You will be right at the bottom of the stairs. If you climb to the top, the MacNeil's house is directly to the left.

Community Contributors

Added By

Leslie McIntyre

Edited By

Martin, thedude771, MrCarl, bakedinthehole...

  • Martin
  • thedude771
  • MrCarl
  • bakedinthehole
  • rhansen
  • teddrake
  • notoriousFIG
  • Tony Nicholls
  • Maharaji Rastafari
  • samanthanichols70
  • exploringwithesch
  • IgFan
  • Jason Michael Walker
  • dmvfille
  • ashmorris7
  • LiamY
  • maineiacmatt

Published

October 31, 2016

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Sources
  • http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/23/georgetown-exorcist-stair_n_2003266.html
  • https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Exorcist+steps/@38.9051291,-77.0711907,18.25z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x89b7b712ba5a02e7:0x4e03cf21405801bc!2sThe+Exorcist+steps!8m2!3d38.9054521!4d-77.0701642!3m4!1s0x89b7b712ba5a02e7:0x4e03cf21405801bc!8m2!3d38.9054521!4d-77.0701642
  • https://georgetowner.com/articles/2015/11/09/exorcist-steps-have-halloween-moment-oct-30/
  • https://www.fox5dc.com/news/exorcist-steps-commemorated-in-dc
  • https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/director-screenwriter-to-honor-exorcist-steps-in-dc/127480/
The Exorcist Stairs
36095 Prospect St NW
Washington, District of Columbia, 20007
United States
38.905481, -77.07018
Get Directions

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