If you’ve ever been driving down I-94 near Gurnee and thought you saw a shimmering mirage of ancient Giza rising out of the cornfields, don’t worry. You weren’t dehydrated. You just spotted the Gold Pyramid in Illinois.
It’s real. Or at least, the 17,000-square-foot structure is very real, even if its history is a bit weirder than the average suburban ranch home.
Most people know it as the "Gold Pyramid House." For decades, it stood as a bizarre testament to one man’s obsession with "pyramid power" and a whole lot of 24-karat gold leaf. But honestly, if you haven’t checked in on it lately, the story has changed. Between massive fires and neighborhood disputes over blinding reflections, the pyramid has lived about nine lives by now.
Why a Gold Pyramid in the Middle of Illinois?
The whole thing started back in the 1970s. Jim Onan, a local contractor and a bit of an eccentric visionary, became fascinated by the "pyramid power" craze. Back then, there was this niche belief that the pyramid shape could preserve food, sharpen razor blades, and even focus cosmic energy.
Jim started small. He built little pyramids around the house. Then he built a 13-foot one in the yard. Eventually, his wife Linda reportedly told him, "If you like pyramids so much, why don't you just live in one?"
So he did.
Construction began in 1977 in Wadsworth. It wasn't just a house; it was a six-story statement. By the time it was finished in the early 80s, Jim had covered the entire thing in 24-karat gold plates. It cost about $1 million just for the gold—and that was 1980s money.
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It was officially the largest gold-plated structure in North America.
The Mystery of the Moat and the 50-Foot King
You can’t just have a gold pyramid. You need the accessories. Jim went all out.
- The Moat: A deep moat surrounds the house, turning it into a literal island.
- Ramses II: A 50-foot-tall statue of the Pharaoh stands guard. It’s massive.
- The Garage: Even the cars live in style. The three-car garage is made of three smaller pyramids.
- The Interior: Inside, it’s a maze. There are replicas of King Tut’s throne, Egyptian artifacts, and even a scale model of Tut’s tomb.
One of the weirdest bits of lore involves the water. Jim claimed that after the pyramid was built, a natural spring began to flow in the middle of the floor. He believed the pyramid’s shape actually "pulled" the water up. To this day, the moat is fed by that spring water.
The Fire and the Restoration Struggle
Things got dark in July 2018. A massive fire broke out on the property.
It was a nightmare for the Gurnee Fire Department. The building’s unique shape and maze-like interior made it incredibly dangerous to navigate. Firefighters actually had to call "Maydays" after getting disoriented inside the smoke-filled pyramid.
While the 80-year-old resident (Jim Onan himself) was rescued by painters who happened to be on-site, the damage was devastating. The top floors were gutted. Artifacts were ruined. The "Gold Pyramid" looked more like a charred husk.
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For a few years, it looked like it was over. But the Onan family is nothing if not persistent.
By 2022, they began a massive restoration project. They replaced the old gold plates—which had actually been removed years prior in 2011 because they were blinding neighbors on sunny days—with a new, gold-painted finish that’s much friendlier to local drivers’ eyes.
Can You Visit the Gold Pyramid in 2026?
This is where things get tricky. The Gold Pyramid in Illinois isn't always open like a standard museum.
As of early 2026, the grounds are generally open for visitors on weekends, usually from noon to 6:00 p.m., but the interior tours are hit-or-miss depending on the ongoing renovation status. It’s a family-run operation, not a corporate tourist trap.
If you're planning a trip, here is the "real talk" on what to expect:
- Check the Website First: Don't just show up. They update their schedule on the official Gold Pyramid site based on private events and construction.
- The Exterior is the Star: Even if you can't get inside, the 50-foot Ramses statue and the hieroglyphic-covered fence are worth the drive for the photos alone.
- Respect the Privacy: Remember, this was built as a private home. While they love the attention, it’s still their family legacy.
Is Pyramid Power Real?
Jim Onan certainly thought so. He used to claim that the plants grew twice as fast and the water in the moat had healing properties.
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Whether you believe in the "energy" or not, there’s no denying the power of the place to stop traffic. It’s one of those rare "Old Illinois" roadside attractions that survived the era of generic strip malls.
It’s weird. It’s gaudy. It’s arguably one of the most interesting pieces of architecture in the Midwest.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're going to make the trek to Wadsworth, do it right.
- Timing: Go in the late afternoon. The way the sun hits the gold paint makes the whole structure glow, which is exactly what Jim intended when he first dreamt the place up.
- Location: It's located at 37921 N. Dilleys Road. It’s a quick hop from Gurnee Mills, so you can pair it with a shopping trip or a visit to Six Flags.
- Photography: Bring a wide-angle lens. You can't capture the scale of Ramses and the pyramid in one shot with a standard phone camera unless you're standing way back by the road.
- Donation/Entry: Expect to pay a small fee for the grounds or the tour. This money goes directly into the millions of dollars worth of repairs needed after the fire.
The Gold Pyramid is a survivor. It has survived neighbors' complaints, literal fire, and the passage of time. It stands as a reminder that if you have a dream—no matter how golden or strange—you can probably build it in Illinois.
Make sure to call ahead at (847) 336-7777 before you drive out there. Schedules change, and you don't want to be the person staring through the hieroglyphic fence at a closed gate.