Dillinger History

Found some interesting news today in the local paper, www.thestarpress.com:

Historic Indiana building hopes to cash in on John Dillinger movie

CROWN POINT, Ind. — A group that gives tours of the former home of the Lake County Sheriff in Crown Point hopes to cash in on the publicity over a new movie about John Dillinger.

The Old Sheriff’s House Foundation is raising the price of its 30 minute tour from $2 to $10.

A portion of the movie “Public Enemies,” starring Johnny Depp as Dillinger, was filmed at the house in March.

Foundation member Dan Rohaley says the movie company helped restore portions of the home and the tour has been expanded.

Dillinger escaped from the Lake County Jail in 1934, driving away in the sheriff’s car.
Tours of the home are conducted on Saturday mornings.

Being born and raised in Indiana I have heard all kinds of stories over the years about Dillinger. My brother-in-law swears his grandpa told him Johnnie buried some stolen money on his farm. Many in the family have searched and dug around for 70 years and have never found a dime. Everyone has their "Dillinger hid out here" story. Kind of like 'George Washington slept here...' but only a few places are truly where Dillinger hid out.

There is a place about 6 miles from my parents house that was a one time hide out. It was where an Aunt and Uncle of one of the gang members lived and they did hide out there once over night. Also, the bar across the street from where I buy groceries was once the Bide-A-Wee Tavern (now the Oasis) that Dillinger robbed in June 1933. A lot of people said John Dillinger was there but Crown Point wasn't one of them to brag. In fact, when I was there for the filming, I talked to some of the older townspeople that were there watching too and there was quite a few of the older ladies and gentlemen who said they 'didn't agree with the filming and that Sheriff Holley would be rolling over in her grave' if she knew what was going on. I found it interesting that 70 years later the elder townspeople were still so adamantly protective of Sheriff Holley over Dillinger's escape.

Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia:

On March 3, 1934, Crown Point etched its name forever in the history books as the infamous bank robber and FBI "Public Enemy #1" John Dillinger escaped from the "escape-proof" (as it was dubbed by local authorities at the time) Lake County Jail which was guarded by many police and national guardsmen. Dillinger apparently escaped using a hand-carved wooden gun blackened with shoe polish, although this was disputed by some witnesses. Dillinger further embarrassed the city, as well as then-42-year-old Sheriff Lillian Holley, by driving off in her brand new V-8 Ford. The press augmented her chagrin with such headlines as: "Slim woman, mother of twins, controlled Dillinger as sheriff." Incensed, Holley declared at the time, "If I ever see John Dillinger again, I'll shoot him dead with my own gun. Don't blame anyone else for this escape. Blame me. I have no political career ahead of me and I don't care." Furthermore, Sheriff Holley made certain the Dillinger name would have no standing in Crown Point up until her death in 1994 at 102. Due mainly to her efforts, there is no mention of the "Great Escape" to be found anywhere in the city, save for a brief mention on a National Register of Historic Places plaque outside the old Sheriff's house.

Most businesses that tried to make some money off the Dillinger connection Crown Point floundered. I'm not sure about this new venture. It's only hope is for the tourists business because I feel like there is too much stigma attached locally. I had heard they were also giving tours of the jail house and people could actually be locked in the cell that Johnny Depp was in. I'm not sure if it's the same cell that Johnnie Dillinger was in but from what I've heard of Michael Mann it probably was.

Another thing I find disturbing is the fact that it says they are raising the price from $2 to $10 dollars!!! Geesh.....talk about bank robbery!! To me it sounds like someone is trying to make up for 70 years of not profiting by trying to get it all at once between now and when the movie comes out. I guess it's the new American way, or not so new. Maybe just the degradation of man in general. Wow, that last sentence sounded like I was getting too deep! Time for lunch break. Will try to add more later...