Site of Dillinger’s Last Bank Robbery on the Auction Block

By Camela Furry in Miscellaneous on Jul 4, 2009 2:40PM

Just in time to cash in on the opening of “Public Enemies” this week, the site of John Dillinger’s last bank robbery shootout in South Bend, Indiana is up for sale. The historic State Theatre formerly known as the Blackstone Theatre Vaudeville House still bears bullet marks from the over 100 bullets that flew during gunfight between police and Dillinger’s gang in the 1934 robbery of Merchant Bank. The shootout left one police officer dead and eight people wounded as the gang made off with $30,000.

Three years ago an evangelical pastor bought the theater for Christian entertainment but the property is now vacant and facing foreclosure according to NBC Chicago. The 34,850-square-foot building originally opened in 1921 and seats up to 1,600 people. Mark your calendars to place your bid online starting July 16 here. [Sun-Times]