Pottawattamie County Jail

The Pottawattamie County Jail is a former correctional facility built as a cylinder with three levels of wedge-shaped cells inside a metal cage. Its height makes it the tallest rotating jail structure ever constructed.

The facility opened in 1885 and served as a working jail for 84 years before closing in 1969. It was built during an era when architects experimented with new designs to improve prison security.

The jail reflects how people in the late 1800s thought about confining prisoners and managing security. Walking through the rotating cells shows the era's approach to order and control in confined spaces.

Entry is by guided tour only, leading you through the cell areas, offices, and staff quarters on each level. The narrow stairways and tight spaces inside the cylinder require careful movement.

A hand crank controlled the entire rotating mechanism, allowing guards to position just one cell at the entrance at any moment. This clever design reduced opportunities for escape or violence during prisoner interactions.

Location: Iowa

Website: https://thehistoricalsociety.org/museums/squirrel-cage-jail.html

GPS coordinates: 41.27639,-95.84417

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49