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Historic Kootenai Jail Museum opens for season June 1

| March 28, 2018 1:00 AM

RATHDRUM — The historic Kootenai County Jail Museum will open for the season June 1.

The jail, located at 7940 W. Second St. in Rathdrum, was built in 1892 when Rathdrum was the seat of Kootenai County. The first sturdy brick jail, it was built around eight cells stacked four-on-four and made of riveted steel since welding was not yet in use. It also had room on the second floor for a county hospital and a place for the insane on their way to Blackfoot.

When the county seat was moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1908, the jail became the city hall and then the town library for many years. It was then used as a maintenance building, fell into disrepair and was given to the local historical society. Don and Dorothy Jacklin saw the potential of the building and donated money to restore it in 2010.

The Rathdrum/Westwood Historical Society is dedicated to running and maintaining the historic Kootenai County Jail Museum and making it available to the public. The society maintains current and historical news records; local families have donated antiques, photos, artifacts and much more.

The society is continuously looking for ways to preserve and share the heritage of the Rathdrum area while educating and enlightening the public.

The jail museum will be open on the weekends from late spring to fall. Group tours are available upon request and weather permitting.

Admission is a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for kids.

Info: 208-625-0014, www.rathdrumhistory.com or www.facebook.com/rathdrumhistoricsociety