Toledo in Tama County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Tama County Historical Museum
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 19, 2025
1. Tama County Historical Museum Marker
Built in 1870
Erected by Toledo Business and Professional Women.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 41° 59.809′ N, 92° 34.687′ W. Marker is in Toledo, Iowa, in Tama County. It is at the intersection of North Broadway Street and East State Street, on the left when traveling south on North Broadway Street. The marker is on the southwest corner of the former jail, facing North Broadway Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 North Broadway Street, Toledo IA 52342, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana
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Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hope Fire Company Engine House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chicago Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Depot Site (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Historic "Lincoln Highway" Bridge (approx. 2.4 miles away); Tama County Iowa Veterans Memorial (approx. 14.4 miles away); Gladbrook Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 14.4 miles away).
Regarding Tama County Historical Museum. National Register of Historic Places № 81000270.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Ralph J. Christian, July 17, 1981:
For well over a century the Tama County Jail, situated on the edge of the business district diagonally across from the courthouse, has been a visual landmark for residents of Toledo and Tama County. David Stoner, a local contractor who built an adjacent church and several other buildings in Toledo, designed and erected this two-story, red brick edifice in 1870.Although Stoner's chief concerns in designing the jail were utilitarian, he did incorporate features from the Italianate
and Romanesque modes. The almost squarish feel of the structure, the two-over-two wood sash windows set in round arched brick surrounds, overhanging bracketed cornice, and low-pitched hipped roof are characteristic of the Italianate. At the ground floor level on the south side, however, Stoner used semi-circular Romanesque arches, most likely to make the jail compatible with the adjacent Romanesque Revival courthouse erected four years earlier. In the late 19th century, the jail was enlarged by the addition of a two-story rear (east) wing. Inside, the jail contained a large cell block and several rooms on the first floor while the upper floor served primarily as the sheriffs residence but did contain four cells.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 19, 20252. Tama County Historical Museum MarkerThe marker is mounted on the southwest corner of the former County Jail, facing North Broadway Street.This building served as the Tama County Jail until 1970 when it was leased to the Tama County Historical Society and converted into a museum. At that time, the interior, which was in extremely poor condition, underwent renovation which included pouring a cement floor on the first story and paneling walls and installing drop ceiling in some areas of the building. The exterior appears to have undergone little change and the bars
over the windows have been left in place.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 19, 20253. Tama County Jail (1870) (northwest elevation)
Also see . . . Tama County Jail (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Tama County was established in 1853 but did not have a jail. It sent its convicted criminals to neighboring counties. A courthouse was completed in 1865, and discussions turned toward providing a jail. The county Board of Supervisors decided in January 1869 to proceed with plans, and in June 1870 they contracted with Toledo builder David Stoner to design and build the new building. It was completed by the end of the year. The sheriff and his family lived on the second floor and acted as the jailers. A two-story addition was built onto the rear of the building in the late 19th century to provide more space.(Submitted on August 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)By the 1960s the building was inadequate, and was condemned by a grand jury. It closed in 1970, and the county once again started to send its convicted criminals to neighboring counties. The county Historical Society has leased the building to be used as a museum. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 19, 2025
4. Tama County Jail (1870) (south window detail)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 19, 2025
5. Tama County Jail (1870) (southwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
