Racine & Me: John Dillinger’s forgotten Racine bank robbery

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) — Did you know John Dillinger has a history in Racine?

Historian Steven Rogstad joined us in studio to share the story of Dillinger's largely forgotten Racine bank robbery.

Dillinger was known as Public Enemy No. 1 by the FBI in the early 1930s, but he has also been dubbed America's "first celebrity criminal" because of the widespread newspaper coverage he received across the country.

Over the years, Dillinger led several gangs made up of dozens of fellow criminals as he robbed banks throughout the Midwest. His criminal career eventually came to an end July 22, 1934, when he was shot and killed by federal agents in Chicago.

But before his death, Dillinger and his gang made their way to Racine.

On Nov. 20, 1933, Dillinger and four other bandits walked into the American Bank and Trust Co. in Racine. The robbery quickly turned violent. A teller was wounded, shots were fired during the getaway on Main Street and hostages were taken.

The former American Bank and Trust Co. building is now home to the Racine Art Museum.

While the building serves a very different purpose today, historic images show both the front and back of the property, including the back door used by Dillinger and his accomplices during the robbery.

The Racine robbery is a chapter of the city's history that is seldom remembered today, but it remains a fascinating connection between Racine and one of the most notorious criminals in American history.

Dillinger captivated Americans during the Great Depression. While many condemned his crimes, others were fascinated by his exploits, and newspapers across the country closely followed his story.

His stop in Racine was just one chapter in a criminal career that would make him a household name.

Today, the location of that 1933 bank robbery serves as a reminder that some of Racine's most fascinating stories can still be found in places that remain part of the city today.