Crown Point, Indiana, is a city with a “small town” atmosphere. In Crown Point, there are many businesses, family and community gatherings, schools, and more. All represented and loved by many in the community. Many people who live in Crown Point were born and raised here due to generational settlement, but not many know they live in one of the most interesting cities in Indiana. Not only was Crown Point featured in Hollywood, but a movie starring Johnny Depp was filmed on the streets of downtown Crown Point.
The movie, Public Enemies, is about the final years of the life of famous bank robber John Dillinger, who is played by Johnny Depp. The movie took place in 1933-1934, and it follows the journey that federal agents on the case of John Dillinger and his gang. John Herbert Dillinger Jr. was a bank robber and fugitive. He led the Dillinger Gang during the Great Depression, where he and his gang escaped from many prisons. The story of John Dillinger can last many days, but today the story I would like to unfold is the story of how Dillinger used a fake wooden gun to escape the Lake County Jail, which is present-day “Old Sheriff’s House and Jail,” on March 3, 1934. During the Great Depression, the name John Dillinger turned heads. He was known for his bank robberies, car chases, and even murders. All leading up to the moment that shook Crown Point. John Dillinger was always on the run for his crimes. Leading up to March 3, 1934, Dillinger was in East Chicago, Indiana, where he robbed the First National Bank and killed Detective William O’Malley on January 15. After that robbery, Dillinger, his girlfriend, Billie Frechette, and gang member Red Hamilton, fled to Florida, then Texas, then finally Arizona, where they stayed at Hotel Congress under aliases. The Hotel later caught fire, where their weapons and stolen money were revealed on January 23, 1934. This hotel fire led to their arrest, where Dillinger was later transferred to the Old Lake County Jail in Crown Point on January 30.
During that time, the Old Lake County Jail was considered “escape-proof,” which made it an ideal spot to keep a high-profile criminal. While he was in the Old Lake County Jail, Dillinger was being charged with murder after being accused of killing Detective O’Malley during his robbery of the First National Bank of East Chicago. March 3, 1934. The escape shook the city. On March 3, 1934, John Dillinger was awaiting trial when he had another plan in place. Dillinger used a fake gun made out of wood and blackened with shoe polish to hold the guard hostage. Later during that day, Dillinger and his inmate Herbert Youngblood escaped and stole Sheriff Lillian Holley’s car, crossing the state line into Chicago. The stories of John Dillinger are endless. There are many stories, crimes, and adventures in this world, and Dillinger was an interesting one in history, yet as time passes and pages turn, it’s good to look back every now and again to realize the history around us.
