Wallace, Idaho is one of the most charming small towns in Idaho. It’s got a whole lot going for it. It’s even considered to be the center of the universe. It’s also one of the most beautiful places in the Gem State. Located in the panhandle, this ex mining town is nestled in between tree covered hills. Scattered throughout the town are several staircases which have been there since the late 19th century. Although they signify an important part of the town’s history, few of the town’s visitors know about the beautiful stairways that seem to go on forever.
Tucked away in Idaho's Silver Valley, Wallace is a hot spot town for outdoor recreation. With tons of hiking and biking trails, this quaint town is the perfect place to take in all of the natural beauty that North Idaho has to offer.
Wallace is special for many reasons, but many people don't know about one of the most magical aspects of this town...
Scattered around Wallace are several sets of staircases, most of them 100 feet long or more. These stairs begin at the main street in the town's downtown area and climb the surrounding hills.
The stairs are simply beautiful and impressively built, to say the least. Looking up at them from the bottom, they seem to go on for as far as the eye can see! Where do these stairs lead to? You have to climb them to find out.
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The stair's origins go back for more than a century. Since the downtown portion of Wallace is located in the valley beneath the town's surrounding hills, the townspeople used these stairs to climb to their homes located at the top of the steep hills.
Today the stairs remain only for recreational and historical purposes. It's crazy to think that in the past the majority of Wallace's locals used the stairs as their sole way of commuting to and from work.
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Sometimes they used the stairs for more...recreational purposes. In the photo below you can see the locals gathered on one of the staircases as a ski jumper uses one of the stair's platforms as a launching pad.
Remarkably, the stairs still stand today and can be used for hiking purposes. A climb up one of these century-old staircases surrounded by forestry is an excellent way to take in the view!
At the top you will be treated to breathtaking views of mountains, rivers, and the town below.
Although many portions of the stairs have undergone recent renovation, some portions remain wearing the effects of weather over the many years. Organizations such as Idaho Heritage Trust have taken it upon themselves to campaign to raise money to update the stairs so their legacy can continue to live on.
The town of Wallace just wouldn't be the same without these stairs standing as a reminder of the past.
The stairs are particularly gorgeous during winter, when snow covers the steps. A recurring tradition among children over the decades was to turn the snow covered staircase into a giant slide and use it to sled down from the top!
Wallace's historic staircases are a fascinating symbol of the town's past. It just goes to show that Idaho is full of small towns with captivating stories, you just have to know where to look for them!
