The Mysterious Staircase Hidden in the New Hampshire Woods

It's spooky season and New Hampshire is steeped in the spooky.  Welcome to Garret's Creepy Fact Storytime, where we're digging into the strange, mysterious, and sometimes downright disturbing stories hiding in New Hampshire's history.

Some are true. Some are local legends. And some are just plain creepy. Each weekday a new Creepy Fact Storytime.

Credit: Getty Images

A Staircase That Leads to Nowhere

Imagine you're walking through the woods in New Hampshire. Nothing but trees, leaves crunching under your feet, and maybe the occasional squirrel.

Then suddenly, you come across this massive stone staircase.

No house. No building. Just a staircase that seems to lead absolutely nowhere.

A little creepy, right?

Well, this place actually exists in Chesterfield, New Hampshire. And the story behind it is almost as strange as the staircase itself.

Who Was Madame Sherri?

According to the Chesterfield Historical Society, back in the early 1900s, a woman named Madame Antoinette Sherri built an elaborate summer retreat in the woods of Chesterfield.

I read that she was a costume designer with connections to Broadway's famous Ziegfeld Follies. And apparently, she loved to throw a party.

We're talking extravagant gatherings, and she loved to wear fur coats and pearls. Yes, she loved the fancy clothes and reportedly drove around town in a Packard.

READ MORE: The New Hampshire Couple Who Lost Two Hours and Couldn't Explain Why

Basically, Madame Sherri was living her best life long before Instagram existed.

Her house, which locals called her "castle," was just as over-the-top as she was. And that enormous stone staircase was part of it.

But eventually, the parties stopped. Her money ran low. The property fell into disrepair.

Then, in 1962, the castle burned.

All that remained were pieces of the foundation, chimneys, and that incredible stone staircase.

Madame Sherri died in 1965 at the age of 84. Bud did she really leave the castle?

Credit: Getty Images

But Here's Where It Gets Creepy...

Over the years, stories began circulating about strange things happening near the ruins.

Some people claim they've heard music or laughter coming from the woods.

Others tell stories about seeing a mysterious woman near the staircase.

And according to local legend, Madame Sherri herself might still be hanging around the property where she once threw those extravagant parties.

Now, is any of that actually true? Nobody has proven the place is haunted.

But imagine standing alone in the woods, looking at what's left of a mansion where people once danced, laughed, and partied.

And then hearing what sounds like music coming from the trees.

Nope. I'm good. I'm not investigating. I've seen how that movie ends.

Credit: Getty Images

Can You Visit Madame Sherri's Staircase?

You can! The ruins are near the entrance to Madame Sherri Forest in Chesterfield, off Gulf Road.

One important thing, though: Part of the staircase collapsed in 2021, and the remaining ruins are unsafe to climb. Visitors are asked to stay behind the barriers.

Personally, I'd love to see this place.

During the day.

With other people.

And preferably without Madame Sherri making an unexpected appearance.