Editor’s note: This post was originally published in February 2017 and has been updated with the most recent information.

Ask anyone to describe what makes San Francisco so special and Victorian architecture would be right up at the top of the list, Family-Feud style. Here now is a crash course in Victorian buildings found around the city. This map is a focused primer on architectural styles and is by no means comprehensive, so don't be offended if your favorite neighborhood gem didn't make the cut.

Before we get started, let's put on our architecture nerd hats and clear something up: Victorian refers to a period, not a style. To call a building "a Victorian" means it was built during the period of Queen Victoria's reign, specifically 1837 to 1901. There are a whole slew of architectural styles that reigned supreme during that time period, and we'll delve into a few of the variations. Here in San Francisco, the styles were primarily applied in late 19th century single family houses and the reconstruction efforts after the 1906 Earthquake and Fire.

But wait, didn't we just say that the Victorian Period only lasted until 1901? Many elements of what is typically referred to Victorian architecture didn't become popular until later in Victoria's reign; it was even slower to be adopted here in the United States. Rapid industrialization and advances in technology resulted in the mass-production of housing materials and innovations in construction techniques, well after her majesty's death.

Rewind the clock a bit further and many of these style were a la mode just as SF was transition from a one-horse- town to urban metropolis during the Gold Rush. The ornate detailing and revival styles were still extremely popular during SF's reconstruction, which is one of the reasons why the City is so well known for it today.

Take a closer look inside some of San Francisco's most storied Victorians: Jim Siegel's historic Alamo Square Victorian, artist Windy Chien's apartment that doubles as an art studio, or this maximalist-designed flat in the heart of the Castro.