Drive about forty-five minutes north of Chicago, past the typical suburban sprawl and strip malls of Lake County, and you’ll see something that feels like a glitch in the Midwest landscape. It’s a 24-karat gold-plated, six-story tall replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Honestly, the Gold Pyramid Wadsworth IL is the kind of place that makes you double-check your GPS. It isn't a museum or a government building. It was a house. A literal, lived-in family home built by a man who was utterly convinced that pyramids possessed a mystical, life-altering power.
Jim Onan wasn't an architect or a pharaoh. He was a successful garage builder. In the 1970s, he became obsessed with "pyramid power," a pseudoscientific theory suggesting that the specific geometry of a pyramid could preserve food, sharpen razor blades, and even heal the sick. While most people in the seventies were busy buying pet rocks or shag carpeting, Jim was in Wadsworth, Illinois, pouring concrete and gold leaf.
The Man Who Put a Pharaoh's Dream in Lake County
Jim Onan didn’t do things halfway. When he decided to build the Gold Pyramid Wadsworth IL, he committed to the bit with a level of intensity that is both terrifying and admirable. The structure itself is a 1/50th scale model of Giza. He didn’t just paint it yellow; he covered the exterior in $1 million worth of 24-karat gold plates. It shone so brightly in the sun that neighbors reportedly complained about the glare.
It's massive.
The house spans 17,000 square feet. Inside, the "Egyptian" theme wasn't a suggestion—it was the law. We are talking about gold-plated furniture, sarcophagi, and murals that look like they were ripped straight from the Valley of the Kings. Jim and his wife, Linda, raised five children inside this thing. Imagine doing your homework in a dining room guarded by a statue of Anubis. It’s weird. It’s undeniably Illinois.
The Weird Science of the "Pyramid Power"
The most famous story about the house involves the water. According to the Onan family and various local legends, a spring began to bubble up from the ground underneath the pyramid shortly after construction. Jim believed the pyramid's shape "activated" the water. He claimed the water from the pyramid's indoor spring had healing properties.
Did it? Probably not in a medical sense. But the psychological impact of living in a golden triangle is real. People flocked to the site. It became a local landmark, then a regional curiosity, and eventually a spot on the "weird Illinois" map for travelers across the country.
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The Onans eventually opened the home for tours. For a few bucks, you could walk through the gold-leafed halls and see the 55-foot statue of Ramses II that stands guard in the driveway. This wasn't just a house; it was a testament to one man's refusal to live a boring life.
Tragedy, Fire, and the Struggle to Stay Standing
Living in a gold pyramid isn't all mysticism and tourists. The Gold Pyramid Wadsworth IL has faced its share of literal and metaphorical storms. In 2018, a massive fire broke out in the structure. Because of the unique architecture and the materials used, it was a nightmare for local firefighters. The fire started in the kitchen—a mundane origin for such an exotic building—and caused significant damage to the upper floors and the golden exterior.
It was devastating.
For a while, the pyramid sat charred and silent. The statues were soot-covered. The gold was peeling. Many people thought it was the end of the Wadsworth landmark. But the Onan family is nothing if not persistent. They spent years working on restorations, trying to bring the shine back to the Giza of the Midwest.
Why the Gold Pyramid Matters Today
You might wonder why anyone cares about a giant gold house in the middle of a cornfield. It’s about the "Great American Eccentric." In a world where every suburb looks like the next, the Gold Pyramid Wadsworth IL is a middle finger to architectural conformity. It represents a specific era of American history—the 1970s New Age movement—blended with blue-collar success.
It’s also a case study in structural engineering. Building a pyramid that functions as a house requires complex HVAC solutions and a unique understanding of load-bearing walls. Jim Onan might not have been an academic, but he solved engineering puzzles that would make modern contractors sweat.
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- The exterior features roughly 8,000 gold plates.
- The moat surrounding the house isn't just for show; it's part of the cooling and "energy" system.
- Inside, there are three separate "pyramid" guest houses.
- A 50-foot tall statue of Ramses II greets visitors, which reportedly cost a fortune to transport.
Visiting the Pyramid: What You Need to Know
If you’re planning a trip to see the Gold Pyramid Wadsworth IL, you need to manage your expectations. This isn't a polished Disney experience. It’s a family-run labor of love that has survived fires, lawsuits, and the passage of time.
- Check the Status: Because of the fire and ongoing renovations, the pyramid isn't always open for interior tours. Always check their official social media or website before driving out.
- Respect the Neighbors: Wadsworth is a quiet town. The pyramid is in a residential area. Don't be that person who blocks driveways for a TikTok.
- The Photo Ops: Even if you can't go inside, the view from the road is incredible. The Ramses statue and the golden peak are visible from a distance.
- Bring Cash: If they are running tours, they often prefer cash for the gift shop and tickets.
The interior is—honestly—a bit dated. It feels like a 1980s interpretation of ancient Egypt. But that’s the charm. It’s a time capsule. You see the 24-karat gold-plated sink and you realize this wasn't about "good taste." It was about a vision.
The Mystery of the Moat
One of the coolest features is the moat. Jim Onan claimed that the pyramid's shape caused the water in the moat to behave differently. He once said that fish in the moat grew twice as fast as fish in other ponds. Skeptics point to the fact that the water was likely heated by the house's unique thermal properties, but followers of the pyramid power theory insist it was something more.
Regardless of the "magic," the moat serves a practical purpose. It helps with drainage and provides a buffer between the massive structure and the surrounding Illinois soil, which can get quite swampy.
Debunking the Myths
Let’s be real for a second. The Gold Pyramid Wadsworth IL is not an ancient site. It was built in 1977. It doesn't have secret tunnels leading to Cairo. The "healing water" hasn't been verified by any scientific body.
However, acknowledging the lack of supernatural power doesn't make the place less impressive. The fact that a garage builder from Illinois managed to plate a six-story building in gold is a feat of human will. That’s the real story. It’s about the audacity to build something ridiculous just because you want to see if you can.
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Practical Steps for the Curious Traveler
If you want to experience the Gold Pyramid for yourself, don't just wing it.
Start by checking the local Wadsworth zoning updates. There have been ongoing discussions about the site's future as a public museum versus a private residence. Since the fire, the "Onan Gold Pyramid" has had to jump through several legal hoops to remain a tourist destination.
Look for the "Ramses II" statue. It’s the easiest landmark to spot from the road. If the gates are closed, you can still get a great view of the exterior from the public right-of-way.
Actually talk to the locals at the nearby gas stations or diners. Everyone in Wadsworth has a story about the Onans. Some remember the construction; others remember the "glare" years when the gold was brand new. It adds a layer of community history that you won't find on a Wikipedia page.
Pack a camera with a good polarizer. The reflection off the gold—even the aged gold—can blow out your photos if the sun is high. Golden hour (pun intended) is the best time for shots, as the light hits the western face of the pyramid and makes it glow with an orange hue that feels almost otherworldly against the green Illinois fields.
The Gold Pyramid Wadsworth IL stands as a reminder that the world is still a little bit weird. It’s a monument to a specific brand of American dreaming—one where you can build a pharaoh's tomb in your backyard and call it home.