San Francisco's Flamboyant Landmark: Painted Ladies' Victorian Homes

San Francisco is a world tourist destination. Speaking of its many attractions, it is worth mentioning the unique houses of the Victorian era that have been preserved in the western and southern parts of the city. Most of them were built in 1892-1896, due to their bright colors they received the name "Painted ladies".

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1. Steiner Street is one of the most unusual in San Francisco. It is here that the old houses that survived the earthquake of 1906 are located.

2. Victorian buildings attract the attention of tourists, they are often written about in the media, their images can be seen on postcards, and, of course, films, TV shows and commercials are constantly filmed in the area.

3. The name “Painted ladies” came from writers Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen, who in 1978 published a book about an unusual area of San Francisco in the Victorian style.

4. The definition has taken root among Americans so much that now they call houses built at the end of the 19th century, which can also be seen in Baltimore (Maryland), St. Louis (Missouri), Cincinnati (Ohio), Cape May (New Jersey) and other cities.

5. Total in the period from 1849 to 1915. more than 48,000 houses were built in San Francisco, most of them multi-colored to highlight the filigree architectural details.

6. Bright colors were in fashion: red, yellow, chocolate, orange ...

7. During the wars, many houses were repainted grey, about 16 thousand buildings were demolished, and those that survived were eventually bricked or sheathed with siding.

8. Some suffered from the fires that followed the 1906 earthquake.

9. Interest in these houses arose only in 1963. Inspired by the former splendor of his old home, artist Butch Kardum repainted it blue and green. Some criticized such a bold decision, while others began to revive their homes.

10. Butch soon began to advise anyone who wanted to bring bright colors to the gray streets of San Francisco. This artist was joined by like-minded people - Tony Kataletich, Bob Buner and Jazon Wonder.

11. Through their efforts, dozens of gray houses were transformed, the process of the revival of "Painted Ladies" by the 1970s. reached its climax: as if by magic, whole streets and quarters flourished.

12. It is gratifying to note that this process continues to this day.

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14. Steiner Street is one of the most famous in San Francisco. The media work almost constantly on it, postcards and photographs of the city are made on it, about 70 films, television programs and advertisements were filmed here.