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.

On June 1, 1874, a six-cell addition was approved for the eastern portion of the building to house female prisoners.

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.

The Dubuque County Historical Society took over operations, turning the gallery into the Old Jail Museum.