This Astounding Staircase is Long on Legend, Short on Fact

Photos courtesy of Loretto Chapel

Hammer, saw and T-square. These are the only three tools the builder of this staircase used to create this magnificent example of inspired craftsmanship, according to pious legend. In effect, there are more questions surrounding the staircase, located in Santa Fe, N.M.'s Loretto Chapel, than facts. The story goes that the chapel's original architect passed away, circa 1879, before a staircase to the choir loft roughly 22 feet overhead could be built. The sisters sought the help of local carpenters but none passed muster, so they commenced a novena-nine days of prayer-in hopes God would help. "On the ninth day of the novena, this man rode in from the desert by himself on a donkey and offered to build the staircase," says Richard Lindsley, curator of the chapel, which is now a non-denominational museum. "Because they thought it was an answer to their prayers, they hired him right on the spot." Over an unknown amount of time the man—the sisters believed he was Saint Joseph, patron saint of carpenters—worked inside the chapel behind closed doors. He eventually left, and later the sisters entered the chapel to discover the staircase (originally built sans banister). Also unknown is exactly how a spiral staircase with two 360-degree turns and no center post remains standing-the carpenter used pegs over nails, to boot! Regardless of the staircase's provenance and physics, that it deserves admiration is indisputable.