There's no place like home: The five quirkiest houses in Illinois

As the birthplace of some of architecture's most cutting-edge and innovative advancements, it comes as no surprise that Illinois plays host to a wide collection of unique, unusual, and quirky establishments. From sprawling historical complexes to artistic bungalows, these homes push the boundaries of what a house can be, inspiring and stirring guests' imaginations along the way.

The Gold Pyramid — Wadsworth, Illinois

Standing at an imposing five stories and sitting on an island surrounded by a 3-acre moat, the Gold Pyramid of Wadsworth, Illinois, remains one of the most unique structures in the state. Featuring 17,000 sq. ft. of authentic Egyptian reproductions, artifacts, and custom art, the pyramid takes guests on a one-of-a-kind Arabian adventure. Per its website, the pyramid is a private home built in 1977 by builder Jim Onan, who became obsessed with the “power of pyramids” and only recently opened up to the public for events and other village occasions. The location previously made headlines when Onan spent $1 million to cover the entire pyramid in 24-karat gold, making it the largest gold-plated structure in North America at the time. 

Ruth and Sam Ford House — Aurora, Illinois

Growing out of the “Organic” architecture movement popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright, an Aurora art teacher and her civil engineer husband commissioned a dome-shaped home with Quonset ribbing, leaving a portion of the structure exposed to the outdoors. According to Hidden Architecture, the abode was designed by Bruce Goff, a mid-century architectural protege who ascribed to Wright’s philosophy that homes should blend seamlessly with their surroundings and live in harmony with nature. The house was completed in early 1950 and is said to be styled after a Tibetan nomad hut. Inside, the expansive circular space features multiple levels and cozy nooks perfect for relaxing or hosting company.

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Candyland House — Rogers Park, Illinois

They say a home is a reflection of its owners, and that is certainly the case when it comes to what has been dubbed the “Candyland House” in Rogers Park. Bursting with pastel colors and playful accents, the home was the longtime residence of artists Jackie and Don Seiden, who saturated the place with their flair and creative vision. The Victorian house was originally built in 1891 and was recently featured on an episode of HGTV’s “Ugliest Houses in America.” The Seidens sold the property in 2021, with the new owners vowing to maintain the home's eclectic aesthetic. 

Villa Katherine — Quincy, Illinois

Perched atop an idyllic bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in Quincy, IL, sits Villa Katherine, a turn-of-the-century masterpiece constructed to look like a Moorish castle. Built in 1900, the Moroccan-style chateau was inspired by its owner, George Metz, personal travels through the Mediterranean and North African regions. He returned to his hometown and spent just $7,000 (roughly $270K in today's money) to complete the home. Metz never married and lived alone in the house with his beloved dog “Bingo,” who, according to the villa’s website, was a giant mastiff once in the running for the largest canine in the world. Amazingly, after Metz death, the house sat abandoned and in disrepair for many years before the Quincy Park District purchased it in 1955 and turned the manor and surrounding land into a public park and tourist center.

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The Tower of Baa — Windsor, Illinois

Not all of the state's most unique homes were built for people. In Windsor, Illinois, a couple, Dave and Marcia Johnson, created a spiraling mansion for their livestock. According to Atlas Obscura, the tower is home to a flock of Swiss mountain goats, animals known for climbing and making homes out of the highest structures they can find, an evolutionary trait developed to avoid predators. Inspired by similar towers at wineries in South Africa and Portugal, the Johnsons built the 30-ft-tall pillar with 276 surrounding steps and hollowed out “apartments” on each level where the goats rest at night. The units must be rent-controlled because the tower was built in the late 1990’s and has been inhabited by the same family of furry friends ever since. The entire Johnson homestead has been declared a certified wildlife habitat, with the owners opening specific times for guests to come explore the property and see the famed goats and tower for themselves.