Architectural Oddities in Illinois

Discover 27 architectural oddities in Illinois.

Chicago, Illinois

Monadnock Building

The last masonry skyscraper ever built reveals a transitional moment in architectural history.

Chicago, Illinois

300 South Wacker Drive

A 400-foot-tall tall map of Chicago makes this once-ignored building stand out.

Chicago, Illinois

World Artifacts on the Tribune Tower Walls

Fragments of architectural wonders from around the globe are embedded in the newspaper building's walls.

Chicago, Illinois

Pullman Historic District

First planned industrial community in the United States.

Kewanee, Illinois

Woodland Palace

The dream home of an iconoclastic renaissance man still stands as a monument to his domestically mundane vision.

Plano, Illinois

The Farnsworth House

Tour the luxe "glass cage" that inspired and unnerved the architecture world upon its debut.

Two-Story Outhouse

This historic lavatory leftover features two levels of defecation stations completely without context.

Elsah, Illinois

The Mistake House

First known as the "Sample House," this construction mash-up was meant to be a living catalogue of building styles.

Woodstock, Illinois

George Stickney House

This softly rounded mansion was built without corners not to avoid evil spirits, but to make them more comfortable.

Bartlett, Illinois

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha Mandir Chicago

This elaborate Hindu temple is located in a Chicago suburb, but looks like it was transported directly from India.

East St. Louis, Illinois

Armour Meatpacking Plant

An abandoned meat mecca now serves as an excellent locale for urban exploration.

Winnetka, Illinois

The Home Alone House

Recognized the world over as the home of the McCallisters in the 1990 movie Home Alone.

Harvey, Illinois

Dixie Square Mall

Urban explorers embraced America's now demolished first suburban mall, south of Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois

Ida Crown Natatorium

An eccentric park and pool.

Chicago, Illinois

Beer Baron Row

These mansions date back to Chicago's days as a brewer's paradise.

Chicago, Illinois

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Orthodox church partially financed by Tsar Nicolas II.