Squirrel Cage Jail of Pottawattamie County, Iowa

It's spooky season! Flashlight tours are back with more nights. We will be hosting flashlight tours every Friday and Saturday night of October. The first tour starts at 7pm with tours every half hour, the final tour starting at 10pm.
Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door.

https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/hsopc/items/568962/calendar/2024/09/?full-items=yes

Please note that strobe lights and fog machines are used during the tours.

Jump into spooky season by securing your spot to investigate at one of our locations, the RailsWest Museum or the Squirrel Cage Jail. We will be doing two investigations, one on September 20th at the RailsWest Museum and the other on September 2st at the Squirrel Cage Jail. Both events will be led by local investigators Christie and Sarah. They will lead you through guided sessions, followed by a free roam.


RailsWest Museum
7pm-1am
$70

Squirrel Cage Jail
8pm-2am
$75

Events can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/paragypsy-paranormal-events-31800458821

We will be having our scare actor training on September 17th at 6pm. Please reach out for details if you are interested in helping with flashlight tours. 👻👻
Happy spooky season!

Update--Original post had the incorrect date. Training will be September 17th

Spooky Season Scares at the Squirrel Cage Jail
Flashlight Tour Volunteers Needed!
• Scare Actor for Flashlight Tours
o Family fun scares
• 18 years of age and up
• Please have own method of transportation
• We will provide costume masks
o Recommend wearing black clothing
o Can bring personal costume on approval
o No fake blood..
• Training will be provided
o And snacks!
• October Friday and Saturday nights
o 6:30pm-8:45pm
o 8:45pm-11pm
o Please be available for at least two shifts out of the 16
• Location:
o 226 Pearl St. Council Bluffs IA
Contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering with us this spooky season!
*Strobe lights and fog machines are used during tours*

Squirrel Cage Jail of Pottawattamie County, Iowa Served as the Pottawattamie County Jail from 1885-1969. The largest rotary jail built of 18.

Good morning! It's finally here, Open Omaha/ Open Council Bluffs! Come down and explore the jail today for FREE. We will be here 10am-4pm today and tomorrow

Omaha by Design

Don't forget to come see us this weekend, August 3th & 4th! We are so happy to be a venue for Open Omaha/Open Council Bluffs! The jail will be open 10am-4pm both days and no admission fee.

We’re a featured venue in Open Omaha 2024! Come visit us on August 3rd & 4th for free! Open Omaha is a weekend-long showcase of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro’s most fascinating spaces. Hosted by by Design , the event invites you to explore the places, projects, and stories that shape our city.

Come join Sarah and Christie for an investigation at one of their favorite haunts! This location was featured on Ghost Adventures and Most Terrifying Places in America. Come experience the spirits that remain and learn of the incredible history that is the Squirrel Cage Jail! We can't wait to see you there!
The event begins at 7 pm and ends at your appropriate ticket selected times.
***PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING TICKETS***
Investigation til 2 am tickets are for 16 and up. Anyone under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
There will be NO drug or alcohol use of any kind.
If you are spending the night you need to bring your own sleeping bags and gear. There are some places to sleep but they are the jail beds and not all of them will be available. You will still need blankets, pillows or whatever else you will need for sleep.
There will be some snacks and drinks provided BUT you should have dinner before coming or bring yourself something else if you need more than just a snack.
You attend at your own risk and we reserve the right to ask anyone to leave for any reason without a refund.
OUR REFUND POLICY IS NO REFUNDS!!
Don't hesitate to email with any questions!

Reminder! We are closed today due to the extreme winter weather, stay warm and safe at home! ❄️❄️

We will be open Saturday 11am-4pm for your last minute holiday needs. 🎄🎅☃️

Starting January 1st, the price of an overnight will be increasing. If you book your investigation for 2024 before January 15th and use our code JAILBIRD you will receive a 15% discount on your investigation.

https://www.thehistoricalsociety.org/paranormal/faq-about-booking-an-overnight-investigation.html

Spaghetti and Meatballs is What Inmates Wanted
By Phyllis Gillespie (Council Bluffs Nonpariel November 28, 1969)
“They didn’t want turkey and dressing for Thanksgiving dinner,” Mrs. Jesse Poor, Pottawattamie County jail cook, said of the 11 prisoners she fed on Thursday, her last holiday in the jail.
“All they wanted was a great big pot of spaghetti and meatballs,” she explained, “so that’s what I made.”
The eleven also ordered more than $22 worth of “catered foods.”
“Deputy Sheriff Danford allowed them to buy extra food for themselves.” Mrs. Poor said. “It was mostly salads, pop, ice cream and things like that.
Made A List
“They made a list,” she continued, “and I wend and bought it for them. They even had beer down on the list, but of course they didn’t get it.”
Some of the prisoners fared better than others. Two of three called their families for “extra extras” like pumpkin pies, cake and gelatin desserts, according to the jailer’s wife.
They were all undoubtedly well fed and content Thursday night, like most Americans.
“I think last night was the first night they went to bed like they were supposed to,” said Mrs. Poor with a sigh, “They’re all young guys who like to raise a little kane.”
It was also an easier Thanksgiving Day for the jail keepers. “Last night was the first time in a long time we had less than 13 prisoners,” the busy cook explained. “Thirteen seems to be the lucky number around here.”
Close Jail
Soon it will be much easier for the jailer and his wife. The 84-year-old jail is slated to be closed Monday.
But the Poors, 1410 Avenue E, have made plans for their upcoming unemployment. “We’ll just go home and retire,” Mrs. Poor said. “We would have been here three years next August.”
The jailer had his turn.
“The sheriff’s department sure has the nicest people to work for,” Poor said, “but the job is kind of crazy. It’s 24 hours and seven days a week every week.”
Council Bluffs Nonpariel November 28, 1969

PRISONERS THANKFUL--1901
Jailer Martin Banquets Those at County Jail

Jailer George L Martin of the county jail yesterday treated his prisoners to a Thanksgiving dinner that rivaled almost any feast in the city. That the unfortunates might have cause for thankfulness, Mr. and Mrs. Martin prepared a special dinner for them consisting of turkey, potatoes, two kinds of pie, two kinds of cake, bread, coffee and cream. So much of the good things were provided the prisoners at noon that they send word to the jailer in the evening that they had more than enough for all the supper they could eat. One of the prisoners, of whom there were five men and one woman in the county jail yesterday, declared that he wouldn’t have had such an elaborate meal if he had been at liberty, and they all extended their heartfelt thanks to Jailer Martin and his wife of the generosity and consideration.

Daily Nonpareil Nov 29, 1901

Extended Holiday Hours
Tuesday November 21st 1pm to 4pm
Wednesday November 22nd 1pm to 4pm

Congratulations to our giveaway winner Cara McCutchin ! We can't wait to see you and your boostie on October 28th for the full moon flashlight tours! 👻🔦
Thank you to everyone who entered, we wish you a wonderful spooky season 🎃

Please remember that we can only confirm the authenticity of the tickets for flashlight tours if purchased through our website. It has come to our attention that individuals are offering tickets that may not be legitimate. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.

We are now sold out for all nights of flashlight tours 2023!
We can't wait to see you and kick off your Halloween 🎃
We will be back with more flashlight tours October 2024 👻🔦