Greencastle in Putnam County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

John Dillinger Was Here

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

1. John Dillinger Was Here Marker

Inscription. On October 23, 1933, the nation’s Public Enemy No. 1 John Dillinger and some of his gang (Harry Pierpont, Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Walter Dietrich, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and George “Baby Face” Nelson) drove to the Central National Bank on the southwest corner of the Greencastle Town Square and made the biggest “haul” of their criminal careers - - $74,728.00 in cash, and equities. Already under indictment for the death of Sheriff Jess Saber of Michigan City, In., the gang managed the Greencastle holdup without killing anyone, driving out of town without obstruction. Dillinger was finally gunned down by FBI agents in Chicago at the Biograph Theater on July 22, 1934, ending an eleven year career of crime. Others of the gangster mob were killed in later gun battles with police. Because the Great Depression forced many bank foreclosures on private properties, the Dillinger gang was beheld by foreclosure victims as a kind of folk-hero.

Erected by Heritage Preservation Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1930.

Location. 39° 38.634′ N,

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86° 51.813′ W. Marker is in Greencastle, Indiana, in Putnam County. It is at the intersection of South Vine Street and East Washington Street (U.S. 231), on the right when traveling south on South Vine Street. Located on the "Heritage Wall". Bottom Row - - fourth from the right end. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greencastle IN 46135, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Founding of the Lilly Family in Greencastle, Indiana (here, next to this marker); The Founding of Greencastle, Indiana (here, next to this marker); Donald J. Cook (1915 - 2005) (here, next to this marker); Putnamville United Methodist Church (here, next to this marker); Women in Greencastle History

Plaque Photo - - "John Dillinger" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

2. Plaque Photo - - "John Dillinger"

(here, next to this marker); Abraham Lincoln's Biography (here, next to this marker); Indiana Asbury - - DePauw University (here, next to this marker); Minshall Laboratory, DePauw University (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greencastle.

More about this marker. If anyone has better photos, they are welcome to place on this page. Indeed top quality photos are needed ! ! Al Wolf

Also see . . . Video - Old footage - - John Dillinger ::. (Submitted on June 14, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

Plaque Photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

3. Plaque Photo

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

4. Plaque Photo

One of Dillinger's Cars image. Click for full size.

Courtesy:: "Cook County Archives"

5. One of Dillinger's Cars

"Biograph Theater" image. Click for full size.

Courtesy:: "Cook County Archives"

6. "Biograph Theater"

"Heritage Wall" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

7. "Heritage Wall"

Marker can be seen in this photo on the bottom row - - fourth from the right end.

Other View - - John Dillinger Was Here Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

8. Other View - - John Dillinger Was Here Marker

Full View - - John Dillinger Was Here Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

9. Full View - - John Dillinger Was Here Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,005 times since then and 175 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 14, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.