The dreaded cry of fire rang out the morning of October 22, 1908.  The fire started in the city fire station in the area where the kitchen now stands, the fire quickly spread destroying fourteen frame structures and the wooden water tower, all on the west side of Cherry Street.  Help from Waverly and Waterloo was unable to arrive in time to save those buildings, but they did prevent the fire from going any further.  Since the fire started in the fire station, it was believed to have been deliberately set.  No one was ever charged.

The current cement block building was built in the fall of 1910.  The first floor housed the office of the mayor, the council chamber, and the fire truck and equipment.  The second story was owned and paid for by the Masonic Lodge.

In 1930, the public library was added to the city office.  There was the long council table, high back wooden chairs with arms, the librarian's heavy desk, book shelves, bare wood floors, a musty smell and on the other side of the the wall, the jail cell.  under the floor of the cell is one foot thick concrete supported by steel beams and two foot thick walls.  The jail was used mostly for Saturday night over indulgers to sleep it off.  The identity of the last cell occupant remains a mystery.  Many tales have been told by those who were "Guests" for the night.

In 1958, the city sold their lower portion of the building to the Masonic Lodge.  (The city offices had now relocated to the Boyd Building.)  In 1973, the Mason's sold the building to Ron Russell, who when doing some remodeling, found it nearly impossible to tear out the jail cell.  He used it as a focal point and opened a tavern called Russ' Cooler.

Since opening, owners have been Ron & Eunice Russell, Don Ball, Michael Jund, Kendall and Karen Kielman, Keith and Janice Berger.  Steve and Karen Maricle purchased the business in April of 2006.

Many families and friends have enjoyed a cool beverage or a hot meal inside the jail cell.  It remains a topic of discussion and interest after 75 plus years of use.

We invite you to take pictures or just relax and enjoy yourself in "The Cooler!"