The Squirrel Cage In Iowa Just Might Be The Strangest Tourist Trap Yet

In Council Bluffs, you’ll find one of Iowa’s weirdest attractions – it’s certainly one of its creepiest. This is a place you have to visit, but you won’t want to stick around too long. It’s called the Pottawattamie County Jail, but it’s much better known by its other name – the Squirrel Cage.

The Pottawattamie County Jail was built in 1885. It's an impressive brick building that's listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

But what it's really known for is inside. The jail was built as a rotary jail, meaning that the prisoners were housed in a giant rotating cage that was designed to be more secure. Cells were wedge-shaped, like slices of a pie.

The jail's design was a Victorian-era innovation, designed to be more secure because there was only one way in and one way out. Inmates were like squirrels held in a 90,000-pound cage.

The jail was in service from 1888 until 1969. While there haven't been prisoners living here for more than 50 years, they left marks that will be here forever. The jail's weird design also left a mark on the prisoners - some were injured by the cage.

The jail was considered escape-proof, even when there were few jailers in the building.

Today the jail is open as a museum and if you love things that are weird - and a little creepy - you have to visit. While you'll never be a permanent resident here, just in case, here's a diagram to help you plan your escape.

The Pottawattamie County Jail is open to visitors April through October on Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sundays, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. From November through March, the jail is open Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Be sure to arrive at least a half-hour before closing to make it through all the exhibits – and back out!

Looking for more offbeat Iowa attractions? Here are 13 more weird places you can go.

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Squirrel Cage Jail, 226 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA

The Squirrel Cage In Iowa Just Might Be The Strangest Tourist Trap Yet

Ben Jones

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