Historic Squirrel Cage Jail

Overview

Built in 1885, the Historic Squirrel Cage Jail is one of the most unusual and significant historic structures in the United States. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2023, it is the only surviving three-story rotary jail and one of just three remaining rotary jails in the country.

Designed to provide maximum security with minimal staff oversight, the jail featured rotating pie-shaped cells housed within a revolving cell block. Using a hand crank, jailers could rotate the structure and bring individual cells to a single opening for inmate movement, meals, and supervision. The innovative design made the facility one of the most distinctive correctional institutions of its era.

The Victorian-Gothic brick jail remained in continuous use until 1969 and today operates as a museum preserving its remarkable history and architecture. In addition to its historical significance, the jail has earned a reputation as one of Iowa's most intriguing paranormal destinations, attracting visitors year-round for flashlight tours, ghost stories, and paranormal investigations, especially during the Halloween season. Recognized as a finalist for the Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Award for Best Attraction in Pottawattamie County, the Historic Squirrel Cage Jail continues to captivate visitors with one of the nation's most unusual and memorable historic experiences.

Featured by Iowa PBS

• Historic Buildings of Iowa: Council Bluffs

Phone: (712) 323-2509
Category: Attractions