Thursday, April 18, 2013

The squrrel cage jail and legos

Are you all wondering how we manage to find such wonderful places to visit? Well some were suggestions and some were from our own natural talent for finding them. Today was a winning day. We went to The squirrel cage jail. It was fascinating. The outside of the building looked like a really nice house. The inside was really different. The inside was all metal. On the first floor, down a narrow hall, was a room about the size of a gym locker. Don went in and couldn't even sit down. Depending on how angry the jailer was with an inmate, solitay confinement might lastt five  to ten days.

This was a rrotary jail. The cells were wedge shaped. There were 3 layers. Each cell had 1 set of bunks made of metal. There was a toilet called a privy in each cell. There was only one entrance into the cells on each floor. By turning a crank for 3 minutes, the jailer could cause the entire center of the jail to rotate. Prisoners could leave their cell when it arrived at the opening. They wore only the clothes they were arrested in, wearing them occasionally in the shower to launder them and then were wearing the same clothes when  they were released.  Water was pumped to the top and ran down to flush the privys. This was built in the 1800,s and lasted until 1969. 2 bunks in each cell, but usually 5 inmates. 2 fannel blankets each, no pillow, no mattress.  Boy, if I knew about this jail, I would be very, very good.

Look at the model and I think you can see how ingenious this was.

Next a happier place. The Laurtzen Gardens combined with a lego exhibit. 500,000 lego bricks were used to make 27 sculptues in 14 displays. Beautiful plants.

Oh did I mention It's snowing again?  I'm starting to worry. After dinner tonight when we eat Danna's last 4 lemon bars, all my comfort food is gone. Things better warm up. Bye for now..

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