San Francisco’s Painted Ladies Have an Incredible Backstory

Photo by Cosmic Timetraveler on Unsplash

The iconic row of old Victorian homes, commonly known as the Painted Ladies, is one of San Francisco’s quirkiest attractions. There’s a reason why they look the way they do, and their incredible backstory will make you appreciate them even more.

Thousands of Victorian and Edwardian style-homes were built in San Francisco before World War I and often came in eye-catching, vibrant colors. Many ended up being demolished or painted battleship gray during World War I and World War II.

Artists Butch Kardum decided to restore their former beauty when in 1963 he repainted the exterior of his Victorian home. Some of his neighbors and fellow artists followed suit and ended up transforming entire streets and neighborhoods of San Francisco along the way.

Rows of colorful Victorian homes can be found scattered around the city, but the most popular one is situated across Alamo Square Park. It’s also known by the nicknames Postcard Row and the Seven Sisters, and it was even featured in the opening sequence of Full House.