Council Bluffs Attractions
Council Bluffs (pop. 58,000) was the site of American Indian powwows for centuries. Lewis & Clark met with the Otoe and Missouri Indians in 1804, a monument commemorates this meeting. Wabash Trace Nature Trail has become a sanctuary for wildlife including deer, turkeys, rabbits and migratory birds.
Historic General Dodge House
General Grenville M Dodge was chief construction engineer of the Union Pacific Railway. Built in 1869, Dodge's Victorian home is a fourteen room, three story mansion with parquet floors, cherry, walnut, and butternut woodwork.
Hours
February 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Historic Pottawattamie County Jail
Pottawattamie Jail in Council Bluffs is also known as the "Squirrel Cage". It has three floors of revolving pie-shaped cells inside a cage. The jail was built in 1885 to control prisoners with minimum attention from the jailer.
All values are in United States Dollars
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 12:00 | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 |
| Adult | $ 7.00 |
| Senior over 60 | $ 6.00 |
| Child 12 & under | $ 5.00 |
| Child 5 & under | FREE |
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Facilities
Gift shop
Kanesville Tabernacle
The Kanesville Tabernacle was built in Council Bluffs in 1847 by 200 Mormon pioneers. A replica of the building stands today as a reminder of the First Presidency which the members sustained on Brigham Young.
Railswest Railroad Museum and Model Railroad
The ailswest Railroad Museum and Model Railroad is located in the restored 1899 Rock Island Depot in Council Bluffs. Displays include railroad memorabilia, a model railroad and two restored steam locomotives.
Squirrel Cage Jail
Squirrel Cage Jail in Council Bluffs is one of the only three remaining rotary cell type jails left standing in the United States. Three floors of revolving pie shaped cells inside a cage in a "Lazy Susan" style.
All values are in United States Dollars
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 12:00 | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 |
| Adult | $ 7.00 |
| Senior over 60 | $ 6.00 |
| Child 6-12 | $ 5.00 |
| Child 5 & under | FREE |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Western Historic Trails Center
The Western Historic Trails Center in Council Bluffs traces the history of traveling west on the Mormon Pioneer Trail, the Oregon Trail, the California Trail and with the Lewis & Clark expedition. Displays include sculptures and photographs that depict life along the trails.
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
