Pottawattamie County Jail, known as ‘Squirrel Cage Jail’, is in the United States and has a chilling history. According to reports, inmates have heard strange voices and unusual shadows in the jail. Read on to learn more about the scariest jails in the US.
Squirrel Cage Jail was built in 1885 (Photo credit: Library of Congress)
New Delhi: Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, has been sent to one of the most dreaded jails in America, according to several media reports. Anmol was wanted in many high-profile cases, including the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala in 2022 and the recent murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddiqui.
In this article, we will look at the story of the dreaded Pottawattamie County Jail, also known as Squirrel Cage Jail.
Pottawattamie County Jail: Location, design and history
Where is Pottawattamie County Jail located and when was it built?
The Pottawattamie County Jail, known as ‘Squirrel Cage Jail’, is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States.
The Squirrel Cage Jail was built in 1885 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, listed in 1972. It is one of three remaining “squirrel cage jails”, or rotary jails, and became a National Historic Landmark in 2023.
What does the jail design look like?
The Squirrel Cage Jail’s design is unique. It uses a revolving structure that brings prisoners to a single door by rotating their cells. This clever design has made the jail famous worldwide.
Know about the “scary” history of the Squirrel Cage Jail
The Squirrel Cage Jail’s history includes tragic events. There have been confirmed deaths in the jail. According to several reports, many people have ghostly experiences in the jail. They have heard strange footsteps, felt doors shake, and whispered voices. Visitors have seen dark shadows near the stairs, leading to many strange incidents. Experts have investigated the jail multiple times. They recorded unusual events like electronic voice phenomena (EVPs) and strange shadows and noted unusual field signals, adding to the jail’s mystery.
Inside view of the Squirrel Cage Jail (Photo credit: Facebook/Squirrel Cage Jail of Pottawattamie County, Iowa)
Deaths
The jail is linked to several tragic events over the years, resulting in at least four known deaths inside the building. A prisoner died from a heart attack. Another fell from a high place while trying to carve his name on the ceiling. A third prisoner died by suicide, and a guard was shot and killed during a mishap with riot training equipment.
Writings on the wall
Inmates scratched signatures and dates on the prison walls, showing its violent history. The prison closed in 1969 and was taken over for preservation by the Council Bluffs Park Board in 1971. It is now a museum run by the Pottawattamie County Historical Society.
Squirrel Cage Jail remains a popular spot for tourists and researchers, admired for its unique design and ghost stories.
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