Exorcist Steps, Washington D.C.

The Exorcist steps, a set of concrete stairs in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., have gained fame for their role in the iconic 1973 horror film, "The Exorcist." These steps, located at the corner of Prospect Street and 36th Street NW, descend sharply to a small parking lot near the intersection of M Street NW, Canal Road NW, and Whitehurst Freeway NW. Built in 1895 by George Killeen, a notable local Democratic figure, the steps were originally constructed during the building of the adjacent Capital Traction Company Barn for cable cars, serving both as a lightwell and a public right of way. According to family legend, the construction of the wall adjacent to the steps was based on a handshake agreement, and Killeen was never compensated for its completion.

Before their association with "The Exorcist," the steps were informally known as the "Hitchcock steps," a nod to Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense and horror films. However, it was "The Exorcist" that truly cemented their place in popular culture. For the movie, the steps were padded with half-inch-thick rubber to safely film the dramatic fall of the character Father Damien Karras. Due to the house from which Karras falls being set back slightly from the stairs, the film crew constructed an eastward extension with a false front to achieve the desired effect for the scene.

In a ceremonial Halloween weekend in 2015, the steps were officially recognized as a D.C. landmark and tourist attraction. This event featured the film's director William Friedkin and screenwriter William Peter Blatty, who also authored the book on which the film is based. Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled a plaque at the base of the steps, acknowledging their significance to Washington, D.C., and their impact on film history. This recognition underscores the steps' enduring legacy and their unique place in both cinematic and local history.

Today, the Exorcist steps attract numerous visitors, fans of the film, and curious tourists alike, who come to see the famous site and experience a piece of horror movie history.