The Main Street Stairs

Stillwater's History—One Step at a Time

Stillwater is full of hills and valleys, and several staircases were built into the bluff to help pedestrians access neighborhoods on the hills.

The best-known set of stairs are those on South Main Street, commonly called the "Main Street Stairs." The steps lead from Main Street up to South Broadway, and have been used by generations of Stillwater citizens.

The Main Street stairs were established as early as the summer of 1857. An article in the Stillwater Messenger shouted, “Walk up!” It noted, “Our enterprising citizens on the bluff in “Nelson’s Addition,” with Mr. Estabrook at the head of the movement, have constructed a stair-way from Main Street to the top of the bluff—over one hundred feet in height—which will prove a great convenience to pedestrians. ... Persons desiring a view of the city, the lake and the surrounding country, from this bold and romantic point, can now get it without inconvenience. From no other point can be found a finer view of water and woodland scenery.” “Make the ascent,” the editor said, “it will repay the trouble, besides sharpening the appetite for breakfast.”

Nearly twenty years later, the Stillwater Lumberman of September 10, 1875 noted: "In accordance with instructions from the city council, the street commissioner is constructing a new series of steps from Main Street to Broadway, near the Brewery of Wolf, Tanner & Co. The new ones are to be located about twenty feet from the brewery, making it much more pleasant for those who have occasion to travel up and down them."

The stairs needed additional repairs over the years, especially when they were made of wood. In the Stillwater Democrat of December 1887, the new Main Street stairs were to be “built by Patrick Callan and W.S. Hudson for $480. They will furnish bonds in the sum of $200 to have them completed inside 30 days.”

Over time the Main Street steps would be repaired, moved slightly east or west, but they continue to help the residents and visitors of Stillwater get to where they want to go.

Today, as was the case more than 165 years ago, Stillwater residents rely on stairs to carry them from bluff-top neighborhoods to downtown.

Some things never change.

— Brent Peterson

Brent Peterson is the executive director of the Washington County Historical Society.