Squirrel Cage Jail of Pottawattamie County, Iowa

Squirrel Cage Jail of Pottawattamie County, Iowa Served as the Pottawattamie County Jail from 1885-1969. The largest rotary jail built of 18. It is now a museum.
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The Squirrel Cage Jail, originally known as Pottawattamie County Jail was built in 1885 and was used until 1969. We are open Memorial Day through Labor Day: Thursday - Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 1pm-4pm
Labor Day through Memorial Day: Thursday - Saturday 10am-4pm
No reservations are needed; all tours are self-guided.

Starting on April 29th, we will be extending our opening hours. Come visit our historic jail and museum, Thursday-Sunday...
04/24/2026

Starting on April 29th, we will be extending our opening hours. Come visit our historic jail and museum, Thursday-Sunday from 10am-5pm!

After being “open for business” for eighty-four years, the Squirrel Cage Jail housed its share of “clients” during its t...
04/18/2026

After being “open for business” for eighty-four years, the Squirrel Cage Jail housed its share of “clients” during its time as the county jail. Most offenses were minor, but did any of its inmates ever rise to notoriety in the criminal world? At least one did. Though he wasn’t the first to attempt an escape from Alcatraz, Thomas Limerick earned a place in the record books for masterminding the first escape attempt in which a guard was killed. Born in 1902 in Council Bluffs, Limerick began his criminal career as a boxcar bandit before escalating to bank robberies in small towns. Eventually, his luck ran out, and he found himself behind bars in the Squirrel Cage Jail. From there, he was transferred to Leavenworth Penitentiary and later to Alcatraz. On May 23, 1938, Limerick and two accomplices attacked a guard supervising a work detail on the top floor, striking him twice on the head with a hammer. Limerick made made his way out a window to the roof, but his bid for freedom was short-lived. Limerick was quickly shot and killed by other guards.

03/27/2026
This is the fingerprint card of Earl Kimball. He was arrested in February of 1922 because of his connection with the the...
03/22/2026

This is the fingerprint card of Earl Kimball. He was arrested in February of 1922 because of his connection with the theft of 100,000 of ci******es from the Illinois Central Railroad Box cars. Adjusted for inflation this is about $14,500 of ci******es.

Step back in time… and hunt for eggs behind bars! Join us this Easter for an Egg Hunt at the Squirrel Cage Jail! Explore...
03/21/2026

Step back in time… and hunt for eggs behind bars!

Join us this Easter for an Egg Hunt at the Squirrel Cage Jail! Explore the old cells, corridors, and hidden corners as you search for colorful eggs tucked away throughout this fascinating piece of history.

📅 Date: April 2nd-April 4th
📍 Location: 226 Pearl Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa
⏰ Time: 10am-4pm

*Limit of 2 eggs per person

03/15/2026

Check out the latest Collection Corner!

Did you get it right?
03/10/2026

Did you get it right?

Can you guess what this is called?
03/08/2026

Can you guess what this is called?

Address

226 Pearl Street
Council Bluffs, IA
51503

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

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