Climb the Famous Winding Stairs in Traer, Iowa

It's not often you can walk all over something that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But that's exactly what folks do on the famous Winding Stairs on Main Street in Traer, Iowa.

The 23-step iron staircase was fashioned in 1894 for the offices of the Traer Star Clipper newspaper. Founder E.E. Taylor wanted outdoor stairs to allow for more space inside the unusually narrow building.

During the Star Clipper's 60-year tenure in the second-floor offices, many prominent folks climbed the stairs to speak with Taylor, a respected journalist. In 1916, a catwalk was added to connect the building and the stairs, which had been moved out to accommodate wider sidewalks.

Hundreds of tourists stop in Traer to take photos of the stairs, and residents also hold the annual Winding Stairs Festival on the third weekend in August.

Traer is located where State Highway 8 meets U.S. Highway 63 in east-central Iowa, about 25 miles south of Waterloo. To learn more call Traer Community Betterment at 1-319-478-2346.