Dillinger Sites Tour - Crown Point Indiana

By John Emmering

An adventurous assembly of Northern Illinois Regional Group 1930’s crime buffs gathered early Saturday morning June 25^th at the Lincoln Oasis to begin their journey back to the “Dillinger Days” of the 1930’s.  The destination was the town Dillinger made famous with his daring escape: Crown Point, Indiana. 

Leaving the Lincoln Oasis on the 40 minute drive to Crown Point were Ken and Carolyn Bounds, 1950 Ford Custom Convertible, Ron Dopke, modern, John Emmering, 1951 Ford Custom Fordor, Michael and Grace Mohawk, modern, Joe Novak and Millie Olds, 1953 Mercury Monterey, John and Barbara Slobodnik, modern, Ron Steck, 1940 Ford Pickup and Robin Emmering also in her modern air conditioned car. John and Robin Emmering were the event sponsors.

After a pleasant country drive the convoy entered the town square of Crown Point, Indiana seat of Lake County government.  After parking it was a short walk to the rear of the old Crown Point Jail where we were met by our guide who had his eye peeled for our arrival. Our guide gave us some information on the building’s exterior and ushered us into the front of the building where the old Sheriff’s living quarters were once located.  We learned about the history of the jail, taking shape in 1908 and expanded in 1928, when it was considered one of the largest most modern county jails in the Midwest.

The interior booking area and second floor cell blocks held much interest as the site of John Dillinger’s jail break using a wooden gun March 3, 1934.  Also it was interesting to learn that filming was done by Universal Studios in the jail for the 2009 Johnny Depp film about the Dillinger Gang, “Public Enemies”. Evidence was seen of some modifications the film crew made for shooting the picture.

After the jail tour, with temperatures hovering at 95 degrees it was time to visit the Crown Brewery Restaurant for lunch and for some, a glass of craft beer. After an enjoyable meal the group crossed the square and entered the first floor of the old 1878 Lake County Court House to pay a visit to the John Dillinger Museum.  Walking through the museum, participants could review the criminal career of former Public Enemy #1.  Dillinger’s connection to Ford V-8’s was also chronicled in a couple of the museum’s pictorial displays.

Just as Dillinger had done after his 1934 escape, several of us left Crown Point in our Ford V-8’s; however there were no police in pursuit as we obtained our cars legally unlike Dillinger who stole the Sheriff’s 1933 Ford.  The trip proved to be an enjoyable foray back to the crime prone era of the early 1930’s.