Spanish Steps (Tacoma, Washington) Explained

Spanish Steps
Image Place:Spanish_Steps_2015-06_459.jpg
Image Caption:The Spanish Steps in 2015
Location:Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Pushpin Map:Washington

The Spanish Steps, also known as the Spanish Stairs,[1] are stairs in Tacoma, Washington's Old City Hall Historic District, in the United States. Modeled after Rome's Piazza di Spagna, the stairs were built in 1916 to connect Broadway and Commerce.[2] The stairs are adjacent to the Elks Temple,[3] [4] and have served as a fire escape for the building.[5] Since McMenamins began operating in the building, the stairs have housed a cafe and patio.[6]

According to the Daily Journal of Commerce, "The staircase is an important east-west pedestrian connection within the north end of Tacoma's downtown. The Spanish Steps serve as an access point to transportation facilities, including those for Pierce Transit and LINK light rail, which connects with the Sounder commuter rail line."[7]

The stairs were restored in 2011. Fodor's has called the Spanish Steps "famous".[8] [9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: December 2004 . Spanish Steps: HISTORIC STRUCTURES REPORT . City of Tacoma.
  2. Book: Cleveland, Peggy . 100 Things to Do in Tacoma Before You Die . 2022-09-01 . Reedy Press LLC . 978-1-68106-393-5 . en.
  3. Web site: 2009-09-30 . The Notes of Spanish Steps Tacoma Daily Index . 2023-05-28 . . en-US . 2023-02-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230201195508/https://www.tacomadailyindex.com/blog/the-notes-of-spanish-steps/1633663/ . live .
  4. Web site: Peterson . Dave . 2019-07-08 . McMenamins Elks Temple . 2023-05-28 . Northwest Travel Magazine . en-US . 2022-01-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220119131916/https://nwtravelmag.com/mcmenamins-elks-temple/ . live .
  5. Book: Allison . Ross . Tacoma's Haunted History . Nordheim . Teresa . 2014-09-15 . Arcadia Publishing . 978-1-4396-4730-1 . en.
  6. Book: Tjossem, Donald R. . Tacoma . 2019 . Arcadia Publishing . 978-1-4671-0312-1 . en.
  7. Web site: Oden . Betty . 2010-03-12 . Spanish Steps Historic Rehabilitation . 2023-05-28 . . en-US . 2013-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130609171653/http://djcoregon.com/news/2010/03/12/spanish-steps-historic-rehabilitation/ . live .
  8. Book: Fodor's Bucket List USA: From the Epic to the Eccentric, 500+ Ultimate Experiences . 2021-10-12 . Fodor's Travel . 978-1-64097-464-7 . en.
  9. Book: Fodor's Pacific Northwest: Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, & the Best of Oregon and Washington . 2020-09-15 . Fodor's Travel . 978-1-64097-305-3 . en.