Squirrel Cage Jail, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Additional Details:
| This unique jail constructed in 1885 was one of 6 built in the Midwest. It was called The Human Squirrel Cage. It is a 3 story metal drum surrounded by a gridded, stationary cage. The inner drum is divided into 3 levels, each containing 10 pie shaped cells. There is only one door at each level gained by rotating the entire squirrel cage by a geared crank. Within two years after construction, the huge rotary jail would not revolve properly, although it continued to be used until 1970. |
