Delmar Calaboose

The Delmar Calaboose features thick sandstone walls, a vaulted concrete roof, and narrow window slits secured with metal grates on both sides.

Construction of this limestone jail occurred in 1878 following the town's incorporation and growing concerns about disorder from railroad workers and liquor sales.

The building name derives from calabozo, reflecting the Spanish influence on American frontier law enforcement terminology during the nineteenth century.

Located at 520 Vane Street, the structure measures 10 by 12 feet with 2-foot-thick walls and stands as the oldest public building in Delmar.

The heavy cast iron entrance door with strap hinges remains intact, demonstrating the original security features of this nineteenth-century detention facility.

Location: Iowa

Architectural style: vernacular architecture

GPS coordinates: 42.00056,-90.60583

Latest update: April 4, 2025 00:52