Lyons in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Hofmann Tower
1908
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 15, 2026
1. Hofmann Tower Marker
Village of Lyons Landmark Illinois State Landmark - September 1978
National Register of Historic Places - December 1978
The Hofmann Tower Museum and the Village Of Lyons Riverwalk are owned and maintained through the cooperative efforts of the State of Illinois, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, and the Village Of Lyons
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 41° 49.239′ N, 87° 49.309′ W. Marker is in Lyons, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Barrypoint Drive west of 39th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3910 Barrypoint Drive, Lyons IL 60534, 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,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Hofmann Dam (within shouting distance of this marker); Hofmann Dam Removal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old River-Crossing (about 700 feet away); Veterans Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Avery Coonley House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bourbon Spring (approx. 0.4 miles away); Stephen Van Rensselaer Forbes Home Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lyons.
Regarding Hofmann Tower. As outlined on a nearby historical marker, the tower is located at a site that has long been used as a Des Plaines River crossing, first as a natural ford and then, as early as the 1820s, as a man-made dam used to provide power to a nearby mill. When George Hofmann Jr. acquired the site, including the dam, in 1907, he replaced the mill dam with
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 15, 2026
2. Hofmann Tower Marker
His entertainment complex, called Niagara Park, proved successful for many years, until Prohibition ended the sale of alcohol, while the horseshoe-shaped concrete dam collected pollution and made the site increasingly unpleasant. The dam was replaced in 1950 by a straight dam further downstream; that dam was taken down in 2012, with the goal of helping the ecology of the river. Elements of that 1950 dam can still be seen on either side of the river.
Hofmann's descendants sold the tower to the Cook County Forest Preserve in 1946. State officials ordered Hofmann Tower closed to the public in 2008 due to its deteriorating condition, and it remains vacant as of the start of 2026.
Also see . . .
1. Monument Moment: Hofmann Tower (Video). Chicago's Fox affiliate (WFLD-32) looks at the history of the Hofmann Tower. (Submitted on February 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Hofmann Tower and Dam. A history of the dam and tower from the Industrial Scenery blog. (Submitted on February 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 15, 2026
3. Hofmann Tower
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 15, 2026
4. Hofmann Tower
A view of the Hofmann Tower from across the Des Plaines River.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 15, 2026
5. Hofmann Tower turrets
Chicago Daily News Collection, Chicago History Museum, circa 1908
6. Hofmann Tower
Caption: "View of the Hofmann Tower under construction next to a dam in Lyons, Illinois. This image was taken as part of a Chicago Railways Company Trolley Trip."
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 6. submitted on April 15, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
