What is a squirrel cage jail?
In the late 1800s, two inventors patented a peculiar idea: a jail where the cells rotated. Instead of guards walking among prisoners, a single hand-crank turned the entire cell block, lining up one cell at a time with a single doorway. One prisoner accessible, all others sealed in.
It was efficient, secure, and ultimately impractical — the mechanisms jammed, fires were impossible to escape, and reform-minded officials condemned the design within decades. Only about eighteen rotary jails were ever built in the United States. Fewer than half a dozen survive today.
The Daviess County Squirrel Cage Jail is one of those survivors.
Today it stands as a museum of a forgotten era of American justice — preserved by the local community and opened to visitors by appointment.
Planning your visit
Tours
By appointment only.
Call Trudi at least a day ahead to schedule. Tours typically last 30–45 minutes.
Admission
Free.
Donations are gratefully accepted and go toward preserving the jail for future visitors.
Location
310 W Jackson St
Gallatin, MO 64640
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Caretaker
Trudi Burton
Call: 660‑663‑7342
Email: [email protected]
Ready for a tour?
Trudi has been keeping the jail open and welcoming visitors for years. She'll meet you on site and walk you through the history.