Squirrel Cage Jail of Pottawattamie County, Iowa

06/11/2026

It’s hard to imagine today, but children were once housed in the county jail. Before modern juvenile justice systems, young people who committed crimes were often sent to jail just like adults. Children also joined their incarcerated parents behind bars if they had no where else to go.

When you visit the Squirrel Cage Jail, you can still see the section that was designated for juvenile inmates and learn more about this often overlooked part of local history.

What surprises you most about life in a 19th-century jail?

06/09/2026

Have you ever experienced something unusual at the Squirrel Cage Jail? 👻 Share your story in the comments below!

Interested in conducting your own paranormal investigation? Visit the link in our bio to learn more and book your experience!

06/06/2026

Have you ever visited our historic Squirrel Cage Jail? Let us know in the comments!

06/02/2026

We are thrilled to congratulate the President of our Board of Directors, Dr. Richard Warner, on receiving the Mercy Heritage Award!

For 43 years, Dr. Warner has served the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County, dedicating countless hours to preserving and sharing our community's history. As a leader, advocate, and supporter of our mission, he has played an important role in helping ensure that the stories of Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County continue to be remembered for generations to come.

This honor is a testament to years of hard work and commitment, and we couldn't be happier to see his efforts recognized.

Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved achievement!

Join us for the annual Mercy Heritage Awards on Thursday, June 4th! Celebrate with us as we honor Dr. Richard Warner for his contributions in Arts & Humanities.

Individual tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now:
https://ow.ly/b0ob50Z1ceu

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!

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

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.

03/15/2026

Check out the latest Collection Corner!