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

Today this bizarre rooftop phone booth seems like a piece of kitsch but it was once used to spot disastrous storms.

Partially submerged Buddha heads freckle Chicago’s neighborhoods.

A goddess-topped water fountain in Chicago was created thanks to the dreams of a thirsty newsboy.

A bloodstain from "the wound of the transverberation of the heart."

The oldest house in Chicago certainly doesn't look the part and there are some who say it doesn't deserve its title either.

An abandoned observatory in the middle of the Illinois prairie.

A historic beacon built in the aftermath of the worst maritime disaster on the Great Lakes.

The famous author's birthplace is preserved in a town that he once described as narrow-minded.

This deceivingly ordinary warehouse hides an enormous collection of pop culture treasures.

The hometown of Popeye's creator is littered with a growing collection of granite cartoon characters.

Museum dedicated to the art of cutting and polishing stones.

Man-made geyser that rises to the exact height of the Gateway Arch.

Roses and other fascinating flora fill this garden built to commemorate Britain's immortal Bard.

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

Orthodox church partially financed by Tsar Nicolas II.

Over 1,000 pieces of one of the most niche art objects imaginable: the glass paperweight.

Once called the "Polish Gold Coast" it is an icon of the neighborhood that bears its same name.

A Japanese temple, old German townhouses, and public chess tables offer a peaceful escape from the bustle of the North Side.

This architectural stunner is one of the few surviving Egyptian Revival theaters in the U.S.

Not to be confused with the iconic New York City skyscraper, this Chicago building is a vibrant hub for artists.

Take a break from all the boring business of death at this funeral home mini-golf course.

A sprawling outdoor museum filled with larger-than-life works of art.

This landmark of the Chicago silent film industry may not be in the picture business anymore but it still stands proudly.