While the efforts to keep the historic jail in Shellsburg did not succeed, those who led the effort are pleased with one result of the silent auction.

While local residents contributed enough to bid more than $1,500 on the jail cell – which may have been the work of the Mesker Brothers at the beginning of the 20th Century – the high bid of $6,100 was from a Solon man named Mike Cooper.

“The bad news is that the jail is leaving Shellsburg, but the good news is the City Council earmarked that money for a new park pavilion,” said Ed Sass.

Sass said some research on the historic structure indicates that a Mesker Brothers catalog from 1903 offered a jail very similar to the one in Shellsburg for $75 with an option of $15 for a sleeping bunk.

“So, it might be worth a lot more than what we think,” he said.