About This Resource
Karen Gsteiger is a Chicago-based writer and photographer who has documented the city's often-overlooked public stairways. Her book 'Chicago Stairways: The History and Landmarks of Chicago's Unique Public Steps' explores how Chicago, despite its relatively flat terrain, developed numerous public staircases to navigate topographic variations near the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. The book combines historical research with contemporary photography, examining both grand architectural staircases in public buildings and modest neighborhood steps. Gsteiger's work highlights how even in a predominantly flat city, staircases serve as important pieces of urban infrastructure and architectural history.
