Dubuque County Jail
|
Dubuque County Jail
|
|
| File:Dubuque County Jail, 36 East Eighth Street, Dubuque (Dubuque County, Iowa).jpg | |
|
Dubuque County Jail
|
|
 |
|
| Location | 36 East 8th St., Dubuque, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Built | 1858 |
| Built by | David Armstrong |
| Architect | Rague & Drake |
| Architectural style | Exotic Revival, Other |
| NRHP Reference # | 72000473 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 1972[1] |
| Designated NHL | May 28, 1987[2] |
The Dubuque County Jail is an historic building at 36 East 8th Street in Dubuque, Iowa. Completed in 1858, the jail is an example of the uncommon Egyptian Revival style. It is architecturally a highly original work of John F. Rague, who also designed the 1837 Old Capitol of Illinois and the 1840 Territorial Capitol of Iowa.[3] The building was designated a National Historic Landmark for its architecture in 1987. It is now a museum.
Contents
History
The first Dubuque County, Iowa jail was a stone building nicknamed the "calaboose" built in 1836. It was succeeded by a log building at the corner of 8th and Clay Streets that was intended to be built as a county courthouse. By 1855, it was apparent that a larger structure was needed. On April 1, 1856, citizens of the county voted to approve the construction of the current structure for $40,000. On April 17, the construction contract was awarded to David Armstrong. Rague & Drake designed the structure.[4]
The new county jail was built with blue limestone from Dunleith, Illinois. Completed in 1858, the jail had thirty-two cells and a Sheriff's residence. On June 1, 1874, a six-cell addition was approved for the eastern portion of the building to house female prisoners. It was completed that December for $5,600.[4] The building was used as a jail until 1971.[5]
On June 27, 1972, the building was recognized by the National Park Service with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1975, the Dubuque Art Association rented the building as a museum. In 1983, the Dubuque County Supervisors extended the lease for twenty more years; this marked the first time that the association had a long-term home.[5] The jail was declared a National Historic Landmark on May 28, 1987.[2][3][6] When the lease expired in 2003, the association moved into a bank building by Washington Park. The Dubuque County Historical Society took over operations, turning the gallery into the Old Jail Museum.[5] The museum exhibits part of the Society's collection of local history artifacts, as well as a sound and light show, "The Hanging of Patrick O'Connor", about a local murder and execution which occurred 20 yards (18 m) from the jail. It is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.[7]
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Iowa
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Dubuque County, Iowa
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.cityofdubuque.org/index.aspx?NID=704
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.mississippirivermuseum.com/features_historicsites_jail.cfm
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dubuque County Jail. |
- Old Jail Museum - Dubuque County Historical Society
- Pages with broken file links
- Commons category link is defined as the pagename
- National Historic Landmarks in Iowa
- National Register of Historic Places in Dubuque County, Iowa
- Jails on the National Register of Historic Places in Iowa
- Government buildings completed in 1858
- Defunct prisons in Iowa
- Prison museums in the United States
- History museums in Iowa
- Museums in Dubuque, Iowa
- Jails in the United States
.jpg){kind=link}