The antique Pottawattamie County Rotary Jail at Council Bluffs, IA, is the largest of the three rotary jails existent in the United States.
The Pottawattamie County Rotary Jail in Council Bluffs, IA, was built in 1885. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
This jail is impressive since its squirrel cage housed inmates on three levels. Although no longer operational, all three levels once spun simultaneously on a central axle much like the simpler single-story squirrel cage which operated at Gallatin, MO.
Pie-shaped jail cells at Council Bluffs was similar to the jail cells in Daviess County. Historical Society leaders from Gallatin, MO, visited rotary jails at Crawfordsville, IN, and at Council Bluffs, IA, to gain insights on what might be done at the squirrel cage jail in Gallatin, MO.
The grub hole allowed inmates to access food while behind bars. Daviess County Historical Society leaders visited rotary jails at Crawfordsville, IN, and at Council Bluffs, IA, to gain insights on what might be done at the squirrel cage jail in Gallatin, MO.
The drive chain of the rotary jail was inspected by Daviess County Historical Society leaders who visited rotary jails at Crawfordsville, IN, and at Council Bluffs, IA, to gain insights on what might be done at the squirrel cage jail in Gallatin, MO.
This shows ventilation atop the rotary jail at Council Bluffs. Daviess County Historical Society leaders visited rotary jails at Crawfordsville, IN, and at Council Bluffs, IA, to gain insights on what might be done at the squirrel cage jail in Gallatin, MO.
Pie-shaped jail cells at Council Bluffs are very similar to those found at Gallatin, MO. Daviess County Historical Society leaders visited rotary jails at Crawfordsville, IN, and at Council Bluffs, IA, to gain insights on what might be done at the squirrel cage jail in Gallatin, MO.
A hand crank fit onto this driveshaft knob at the jail’s entrance. Daviess County Historical Society leaders visited rotary jails at Crawfordsville, IN, and at Council Bluffs, IA, to gain insights on what might be done at the squirrel cage jail in Gallatin, MO.
Stairs led to the different levels in the 3-story rotary jail at Council Bluffs. Daviess County Historical Society leaders visited rotary jails at Crawfordsville, IN, and at Council Bluffs, IA, to gain insights on what might be done at the squirrel cage jail in Gallatin, MO.
Although similar in rotary jail design, each squirrel cage jail has its own history and unique stories. Here a tour guide at the Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs explains the confinement of Bohemian farmers during a milk riot.
Rotary jail cells at the Pottawattamie County Rotary Jail in Council Bluffs, IA, looks similar to the jail cells at Gallatin, MO. The rotary jail was iin use as designed until 1960.
The 3-story antique jail measures 28 feet tall which originally operated much the same as the 1-story rotary jail in Gallatin, MO. The Fire Marshal required doorways to be cut in the stationary cage in 1960.
Apartment accommodations above the rotary jail were offered to one inmate selected to act as jailer for other prisoners at Council Bluffs. The apartment was furnished, although not as elequently as with period pieces on display today. Perched above the jail cells, the apartment was odorous especially during the hot summer season.
The 3-story antique jail at Council Bluffs measures 28 feet tall. A hand crank fit onto a driveshaft at the jail’s entrance; turning the crank turned the rotary jail. The rotary jail operated as designed until 1960 when the Fire Marshal required doorways to be cut in the stationary cage.
Jail cell ventilation was of particular interest. Apartment accommodations above the rotary jail were offered to one inmate selected to act as jailer for other prisoners at Council Bluffs. The apartment was furnished, although not as eloquently as with period pieces on display today. Perched above the jail cells, the apartment was odorous especially during the hot summer season.
Each rotary jail has its own history and unique stories. For instance, tour guides at the Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs will explain the unusual confinement of Bohemian farmers during a milk riot.
Related
