The Exorcist Steps

The Exorcist Steps in Washington's Georgetown neighborhood are a historic set of concrete stairs that lead from the corner of Prospect and 36th Streets down to a parking lot. Originally built in 1895 by George Killeen, they served as a light shaft and access route for a neighboring streetcar barn. They became famous through the 1973 horror film "The Exorcist," in which they served as the setting for the dramatic fall of Father Damien Karras. For filming, the stairs were covered with rubber mats and a false front was added to extend the house. In 2015, the site was officially recognized as a landmark and tourist attraction of the city, a milestone celebrated with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at its base.