Dubuque County Jail
Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
The Dubuque County Jail is a historic building at 36 East 8th Street in Dubuque, Iowa, United States. 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.[1] The building was designated a National Historic Landmark for its architecture in 1987. It served as a jail for more than a century, became a museum in 1975, and was converted into county offices in 2016.
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.[2]
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.[2] The building was used as a jail until 1971.[3]
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.[3] The jail was declared a National Historic Landmark on May 28, 1987.[4][1][5] 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.[3] The county felt the space was underutilized, and converted it to office space in 2016 for the county medical examiner, I.T. department and veteran's affairs office. the renovation cost $800,000 and maintained and restored much of the original character of the building.[6]
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Iowa
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Dubuque County, Iowa
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
Script error: No such module "Side box".
- County Jail - City of Dubuque
Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:NRHP in Dubuque, Iowa
- Pages with script errors
- Pages with reference errors
- Pages with broken file links
- National Historic Landmarks in Iowa
- National Register of Historic Places in Dubuque, 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
- Egyptian Revival architecture in Iowa
- 1858 establishments in Iowa