John Dillinger escape (March 3, 1934)

John Dillinger was a famous bank robber during the Great Depression. He was being held at the Lake County jail while awaiting trial for the murder of a police officer. Authorities assured the court that the jail was escape-proof, but Dillinger managed to escape on March 3, 1934. Less than five months later, Dillinger was killed by FBI agents in Chicago.

This site served as a filming location for the 2009 film "Public Enemies", in which Johnny Depp portrays Dillinger.

The jail closed in 1974 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Visitors can tour the restored jail, now known as "The Old Sheriff's House", from May through October.