COUNCIL BLUFFS GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Inside the Squirrel Cage: A 45‑Minute Walk Through Council Bluffs’ Three‑Story Rotary Jail
A focused, 45‑minute guided visit to the 1885 Squirrel Cage Jail reveals its rare three‑story rotary design and its role as the county lockup until 1969.
Inside the Squirrel Cage: A 45‑Minute Walk Through Council Bluffs’ Three‑Story Rotary Jail.
Perched in Council Bluffs, the Squirrel Cage Jail is a compact, mechanical experiment in incarceration: a three‑story, revolving or rotary jail built in 1885 that served as the county jail until 1969. Join a 45‑minute public tour to trace its architectural logic and the stories embedded in iron and timber at one of only three surviving rotary jails.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Late‑19th Century County Jail
Constructed in 1885 and in use as Pottawattamie County’s jail until 1969, the Squirrel Cage Jail anchors local history with nearly a century of service to the community.
The Rotary Cell Block
The site’s defining feature is its revolving cell block — part of a short‑lived experiment in jail design — a mechanism that made it one of only 18 such structures ever built.
One of Three Survivors
Uncommon by design and survival, this is the only three‑story rotary jail ever constructed and stands today as one of just three remaining examples.
What the day feels like
What the visit feels like
The experience is compressed and deliberate: a scheduled, guided walk through a single, extraordinary structure. In about 45 minutes the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County leads visitors through the jail’s story — its construction in 1885, the rotary design that sets it apart, and its decades of operation through 1969 — giving a concentrated look at both form and function.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this visit suits — and who should plan accordingly.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The standard offering is a 45‑minute guided tour; check with the operator for scheduled public tour times.
No special equipment is specified in the site description; visitors should plan for a short, on‑site walking tour.
The site is managed by the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The visit is a 45‑minute public tour.
When was the Squirrel Cage Jail built?
The jail was built in 1885.
Until when did it operate as a county jail?
It served as a county jail until 1969.
How rare is this type of jail?
It was one of 18 revolving or rotary jails built and is the only three‑story example ever constructed; it is one of three remaining today.
Who operates the tours?
Tours are offered by the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County.
Is there a minimum age for the tour?
Tours are noted for ages 6 and up.