Glen Ellyn in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Johansen Tower
"World Smallest Office Building"
| | Built 1924 | |
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2025
1. Johansen Tower Marker
480½ Main
Erected by Glen Ellyn Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 41° 52.618′ N, 88° 4.01′ W. Marker is in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on North Main Street south of Pennsylvania Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker is one of several embedded into the sidewalk in downtown Glen Ellyn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 480½ North Main Street, Glen Ellyn IL 60137, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Creek Went Under Main Street Here (here, next to this marker); First Glen Ellyn Movie Theater (a few steps from this marker); Val and Rose Sikler Cobbler Shop (a few steps from this marker); McChesney & Miller Grocery Store (a few steps from this marker); Flour Barrel Bakery (a few steps from this marker); Glen Ellyn's Great Fire of 1891 Started Here (a few steps from this marker); McChesney Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Woolworth's Five-&-Ten Cent Store (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glen Ellyn.
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Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2025
2. 480½ N. Main
Today, the Johansen Tower houses a bake shop.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 39 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
