Squirrel Cage Jail
226 Pearl Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Location & Phone number
226 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, United States
About the Business
The Squirrel Cage Jail, located at 226 Pearl Street in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is a unique museum and tourist attraction. Originally built in 1885, this historic jail was in continuous use until 1969. It was acquired by the Council Bluffs Park Board in 1971 for preservation and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
This one-of-a-kind structure is the only three-story revolving jail ever made, with pie-shaped cells inside a cage that rotates. Visitors can explore the jail's cell section, which remains much as it did in 1969, with signatures and dates of infamous prisoners scratched into the walls.
The Squirrel Cage Jail is now owned and operated by the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County, and offers custom wines at its museum gift shop. Members of the Historical Society receive free admission to the museum.
The jail provides a unique opportunity for students and adults to experience a piece of cultural and architectural history. It is one of only three revolving jails remaining in the United States, and offers a glimpse into a fascinating era of our society.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to fully enjoy the exhibits, and can also listen to podcasts about the jail's history and even paranormal investigations. Don't miss the chance to explore this fascinating piece of American history at the Squirrel Cage Jail in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Photos
Hours open
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday:
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday:
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday:
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Reviews
"So much history here! The staff does a Great job of "bringing it to life" for visitors. You could spend 2 hours in here and it would be quality time well-spent!"
"Cool place with interesting history. Went on a flashlight tour for Halloween, and it was definitely spooky! I highly recommend checking it out."
"I've been to the squirrel cage jail for their day tour and their flashlight tour. Both were very insightful and fun, but I recommend the day tour is you want to see more of the place. Great history"
"A fun self guided tour of how things were. Cutting edge in its day. :-)"
"Whether you're a nearby resident or passing through this is worth a visit. This very unique historic building will transport you back in time during your self guided tour. Everything from furnishings, to items in the inmate cells, to inmate graffiti are displayed as they were left when the inmates were removed in 1969. Many items are preserved in place as they were installed in 1885! The self guided tour takes about an hour and has a lot of information along the way. Located near I-80 and I-29, it's a quick stop for travelers."
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