Squirrel Cage Jail

Elite '09

70

279

Clint U.

Washington, DC

10/10/2007 7 photos

THIS IS A MUST STOP.   If you are ever close to Omaha, NE, you have to try to come and see this jail.  If you like unusual buildings and architecture, this is worth a dedicated trip to see.

Officially it is called the Pottawattamie County Jail built in 1885. they say 18 were built and only 3 remain in the world.  It cost $30,000 then which is about $650,000 today.   It is a rotary jail.   The entire jail is on a turntable.   A jailer turns the squirrel cage where all the prisoners are by a hand crank.  It takes 5 min to rotate the whole cage one revolution.   There is only one opening out of the cage so the prisoners can only come out one at a time at each of 3 levels.   Its like a toothpick dispenser with a hole.   They put up to 6 people in an area no larger than a small walk in closet.

Totally fascinating and its a very "dark "place to visit.   You can feel the gloom and depression that must have been rampant there.  No wonder it's popular at Halloween.

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0

28

Fresh M.

Council Bluffs, IA

3/5/2009

Yes this is a major attraction for our small town here. It is located next to the city police offices and courts in downtown CB, The city just has also updated the park a block away for a real nice afternoon stroll once you visit the jail.

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