
The historic
Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson was the site of the capture of the infamous John Dillinger's gang of bank robbers in January of 1934. The gang was laying low in the Old Pueblo after a major robbery, and two of Dillinger's men were staying on the third floor at Hotel Congress under aliases. When a fire broke out in the hotel, the robbers had to be rescued by the Tucson fire department through the w

indow. Apparently they tipped the firemen handsomely to go back into their room and retrieve suitcases, which were full of guns and the money they had just stolen during their latest heist. Later, while leafing through some FBI reports, the firemen recognized the outlaws, and the local Tucson police were

able to do what several state police forces and the FBI previously could not-- capture Dillinger and his gang.
The City of Tucson and the Arizona Historical Society sponsor "Dillinger Days" each year, a free and extremely entertaining public re-enactment of the capture of Dillinger and the events that lead up to it, right outside of Hotel Congress. The show is performed by a group called Action Unlimited, and includes great street and gun-fights, dancing flapper girls, impressive gun twirling, 1930's band music, antique cars, and witty dialogue.
This is just one more reason that I love this hotel, which also houses and restaurant, a cool performance venue, and several bars. I was just there listening to some local rock and drinkin' some brews in the wee hours of yesterday morning. Thanks for the great weekend, Hotel Congress!
1 comment:
I love the word "heist"!!!
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