The coolest thing you will read today. This is a fascinating story.
The History of the Mysterious Loretto Chapel Staircase
https://www.historydefined.net/loretto-chapel-staircase/
#grownostr
Discussion
I remember watching an episode of Unsolved Mysteries about this.
When I walked out in the streets of Loretto,
when I walked out in Loretto one day,
I spied a young cowboy all wrapped in white linnen,
All wrapped in white linnen as cold as the clay.
Beat the drums slowly, play the fife lowly,
Play the death march as you carry me along.
Take me to the green valley, lay the sod o'er me,
For I'm a young cowboy and know I've done wrong.
Sorry I couldn't help it
Check out the holy house of Loretto for an even crazier story
Yup, it was. My wife tells me she saw an episode of "The UnXplained with William Shatner"; 'Mysterious Structures' (on Netflix) that had a segment on the Staircase.
What I find incredible about early carpenters was the tools (or lack of) that were used. Also, there wasn't hardware stores or big box lumber yards to run down to when you need a new blade or a different screw. The saying measure twice, cut once could not of been more important on a double helix staircase in the middle of nowhere with a very exotic wood.
I've heard Amish still built very much like that, and that their woodcraft skills are unmatched.
My Dad was actually able to walk up it and check it out when it was still allowed. I don't think they let anyone walk up it anymore.
One of the things that wasn't mentioned is that it has no center support. Somehow the weight is transferred from top to bottom without it collapsing on itself.