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Wadsworth, Illinois: Golden Pyramid House

An ostentatious private home of the Onan family, dazzling in sunlight, fit for the old gods of Egypt. Includes a three-pyramid garage, King Tut's Tomb replica, and towering statue of Ramses.

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Gold Pyramid House

The Gold Pyramid House is open for weekend tours again. The tour includes a lecture on the history of the house by Rocko Onan, who grew up in it.

[marsupial, 05/30/2017]

Gold Pyramid.

Gold Pyramid House

The Gold Pyramid was built in 1980 by Jim and Linda Onan as a place to raise their four kids. In the 1970s scientists discovered that pyramids could generate natural energy (later debunked), so Linda Onan, a Waukegan real-estate agent, began designing a pyramid-shaped home that, in theory, could generate half of its own electricity.

The home has 5 floors, 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 4 staircases, 4 garages and 3 fireplaces. The inside is an interesting layout, decorated like a normal Illinois elderly person's home. Crucifixes and family pictures line walls decorated with floral wallpaper. It's a little dated, but it's actually really cool to see how the pyramid functions as a home.

[Ben Perdue, 02/08/2017]

Golden Pyramid House.

Golden Pyramid House

The Golden Pyramid House is open again for tours of the bottom two floors of the 55-ft. tall house, and the King Tut tomb replica. There is also a presentation about the Golden Pyramid House's history.

[Kirby Bartlett-Sloan, 07/01/2011]

Pyramid House.

Golden Pyramid House

We accidentally found this house -- we were driving to Gurnee and passed it. I mean, how can't you notice it? The gate was open and we saw a sign which said Gift Shop on a building ... so we drove on in. We drove up to the pyramid (across a small sphinx-lined bridge) and it seemed like no one was there.

As we were driving out, a car came in. It made a beeline to us and the driver had his window rolled down (note this was January, so he obviously wanted to talk to us). He asked what we were doing there. We said, hey, the gate was open (there was no "no trespassing sign), we saw a gift shop sign (and lots of tire tracks), so we came in to see what it was about. He just shook his head and drove forward. I yelled to him, "Nice to meet you!" ... after all, you reap what you sow. If you build such a structure (with an absolutely HUGE Egyptian statue), leave the gate open, and have no "No Trespassing" sign -- and still have a sign for a gift shop - what the heck does he expect?

Anyway, my wife did get a couple of nice pictures and we had a good laugh in the end.

[Dave, 02/07/2007]

The Golden Pyramid House is a private residence, though at times it has been opened for tours and even operated a gift shop. Usually that gate is closed!

Gold Pyramid House

The Gold Pyramid house from the outside looks pretty cool. It is a wonder that they put so much effort into it. I visited the house interior a few years ago and it looked nothing like what I expected. It had modern colonial/country decor and just a few Egyptian statues in the sitting area. We sat down and were given a brief history by the owners son -- and not allowed on the upstairs because it was against fire safety. I say go take the outside picture and keep imagining!

[meg, 04/05/2005]

Golden Pyramid House

Address:
37921 Dilleys Rd, Wadsworth, IL
Directions:
Tri-State Tollway (I-94) exit onto Hwy 132/Grand Ave. Drive east and then immediately turn left onto Hwy 15/Dilleys Rd. Drive north about three miles. On the right. Still visible from the highway.
Hours:
Tours canceled indefinitely after 2018 fire. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Planes, Trains And Automobiles MotelPlanes, Trains And Automobiles Motel, Gurnee, IL - 2 mi.
Big Onan Man with GarageBig Onan Man with Garage, Waukegan, IL - 3 mi.
Russell Military MuseumRussell Military Museum, Russell, IL - 5 mi.
In the region:
Half-Buried Giant Woman, Schaumburg, IL - 27 mi.

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