As the nights grow longer and a chill settles in the air, there’s no better time to explore the haunted side of Council Bluffs. From eerie cemeteries to ghostly legends, the city is filled with spine-tingling stories that will leave you looking over your shoulder. At the heart of it all is the Historic Squirrel Cage Jail—a one-of-a-kind structure with a dark past and paranormal activity that continues to this day. Step inside, if you dare… and keep the fun going by booking your stay in one of CB’s hotels for the ultimate haunted getaway.
If you dare to step inside Council Bluffs’ most haunted attraction, the Historic Squirrel Cage Jail awaits. Built in 1885 on the site of a former church morgue, this three-story, revolving jail is one of only three left in the country—and the only one with three levels.
Revolving cells? Yes. Each pie-shaped cell rotates inside a giant cage with just one door. To release a prisoner, jailers had to spin the cells until the correct one aligned with the opening. Imagine the tension, the creaks of iron, and the eerie silence surrounding the other trapped cells… chills guaranteed.
The jail closed in 1969 and now operates as a museum under the Historical and Preservation Society of Pottawattamie County (HSPS). But even as a museum, the shadows linger. From the early 1900s to the 1950s, staff noticed strange happenings—footsteps in empty halls, doors opening on their own, and a jailer who refused to live in the fourth-floor apartment after hearing unexplained noises. He chose the second floor instead, haunted by whispers he couldn’t ignore.
Today, museum staff and volunteers continue to report ghostly experiences. The jail’s dark history adds to its chilling reputation. There are four known deaths on-site: a prisoner died of a heart attack, another fell three stories trying to carve his name into the ceiling, one hung himself, and an officer was shot during a riot training accident.
Paranormal teams have investigated extensively, capturing EVPs, shadowy figures, photos, and EMF spikes in places that should have none. The Squirrel Cage Jail has even been featured on Travel Channel’s Most Terrifying Places and Ghost Adventures Serial Killer Spirits.
Overnight Paranormal Investigations
Think the findings are true? Keep an eye on our calendar for paranormal investigations at the jail throughout the year! Choose from a four, eight, or 12-hour paranormal investigation, and bring your family and friends along for a thrilling, bone-chilling time. During your visit, ghost hunters will use various pieces of equipment to collect evidence of the paranormal.
Learn more about the Squirrel Cage Jail’s paranormal history and book your overnight paranormal investigation on the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County’s website!
Other Haunted Attractions to Visit
Looking for more creepy spots to visit? Check out the Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial (Black Angel Statue pictured above) and Fairview Cemetery. There’s no reported paranormal activity at Fairview, but with gravestones dating back to 1826, you’re sure to get the chills walking through.
The Black Angel Statue is right on the edge of the historic cemetery. Though the statue has been the subject of rumored paranormal activity, its true eeriness lies in how it came to be. The statue is based on an angel that appeared in dreams to prominent community member Ruth Anne Dodge three times before her death.
*If you take a self-guided tour through the cemetery, remember to be respectful, especially of other guests who may be visiting loved ones who have passed away.
But Wait! There's More
After a day of checking out CB's most haunted attraction, unwind with a relaxing stay in a Council Bluffs hotel. Click on our hotel options below to browse and book today!
