Maryville College Landmark: Carnegie Steps

Driving up Court Street towards Maryville College, have you ever noticed the ancient-looking stone stairs that climb the corner of Lamar Street?

Known as “The Carnegie Steps,” these stone stairs were built during the 1933-34 academic year so that Maryville College students could walk into town. They access campus just behind Carnegie Hall.

According to Maryville College Archivist Amy Lundell, the original design featured a rock garden surrounding the steps. Now, mature trees provide pleasant shade to the renovated stairway.

The steps have had a few different nicknames over the decades. Early on, students referred to them as “Tobacco Road.” The wooded slope provided a spot where students could hide from college staff and smoke, which was against the rules in those days. Later, by the 1960s and 1970s, the stairs had degraded, and students commonly referred to them as “The Ruins.”

The stairs’ construction was a project of the MC Class of 1930. Philanthropist Susan Wiley Walker provided key funding. She funded many campus improvements. Some of these other projects that Mrs. Walker supported include construction of the House in the Woods, access to the College Woods and restoration of the MC Cemetary. Mrs. Walker was a wealthy widow whose sister had married the Maryville College chaplain, Rev. Stevenson. In honor of her philanthropy, the college dedicated the 1940 yearbook, The Chilhowean, to her.

Perhaps her best-known project was her home in the Maryville College Woods, which she dubbed Morningside. Morningside was a bed-and-breakfast and restaurant for years. Now, the former Morningside is RT Lodge, a restaurant and boutique lodging and event venue.

Next time you traverse Court Street, especially if you’re headed away from town, keep your eyes peeled just past First Christian Church to spot these steps into local history!