In 1881, Sarah Winchester inherited more than twenty million dollars and a fifty percent stake in the rifle company her late husband founded. With her fortune, Winchester commenced construction on what would eventually become the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, one of the most unusual private residences in the country.

She kept the house continuously under construction for over 35 years without any master plan, which means that the building grew in a haphazard, maze-like fashion, thanks to twisting hallways, secret passages, and false staircases. Eventually the house grew to seven floors, with hundreds of rooms, dozens of fireplaces, and countless unique features that serve as a testament to Winchester’s extravagant wealth, refined taste, and peculiar personality. Today, guided tours allow visitors access to the mansion and estate, and reviewers agree the tours are well worth your time.

Tickets are available online, and must be purchased 24 hours in advance.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Seldom Scene Photography