The Infamous 1930s Bank Robber Who Lived at 3252 Girard Ave. S.
Although many of the buildings in Hornig Companies’ portfolio have rich histories, what if we told you one of them is home to one of the most notorious gangsters in America? 3252 Girard Avenue South may be a beautiful apartment building today, but it once housed an individual that quickly became a household name.
You may already know his infamous name. John Dillinger was a notorious American bank robber and criminal during the early 1930s, often regarded as one of the most famous figures of the Great Depression-era crime wave.
Dillinger was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 22, 1903. He grew up in the city before his criminal activities led him all around the United States, including Minnesota. Dillinger first came to Minnesota in the early 1930s, after his criminal activities began to attract significant attention across the Midwest.
His initial move to Minnesota was likely motivated by the need to escape law enforcement after a series of bank robberies and his increasing notoriety.
In particular, a group of criminals traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota, which was known at the time as a haven for criminals. Dillinger arrived in St. Paul after escaping from the Indiana State Prison in 1933, where he had been serving time for robbery. Saint Paul had a well-established network of underworld contacts, including corrupt police officers and individuals who could provide shelter and help hide fugitives. Dillinger used these connections to blend into the local population and avoid detection.
John and his gang committed several bank robberies across the North Star State. They targeted financial institutions in places like Faribault and Minneapolis, using their daring tactics to steal large sums of money. These robberies contributed to his growing reputation as a criminal mastermind.
Dillinger was involved in a dramatic escape from a police facility in the Twin Cities on March 25, 1934. This event is often cited as one of his most daring escapes.
Here's what happened: After all of his successful bank robberies, Dillinger and his gang were hiding out in St. Paul. He had been arrested in St. Paul on January 25, 1934, following a robbery in the area, but he managed to escape from the Hennepin County Jail in Minneapolis.
Dillinger’s escape was particularly bold because, while in custody, he was able to fashion a fake gun (reportedly made from a wooden block, later painted to resemble a real firearm) and use it to hold up the jail guards. He then forced the guards to let him go free. This escape from Minneapolis added to John’s reputation as a master of evasion and criminal strategy.
From March 4 through March 6th 1934, Dillinger rented apartment 106 at the Santa Monica Apartments, 3252 South Girard Avenue, Minneapolis, with Billie Frechette.
After this event, Dillinger continued his crime spree across the Midwest, including in Minnesota and neighboring states, including Wisconsin. It didn’t take long for another significant moment in his criminal career.
John and his gang were involved in a gunfight with FBI agents in April 1934 at the Little Bohemia Lodge in northern Wisconsin, near the Minnesota border. While in the region, Dillinger had frequented Minnesota and had ties to criminals there.
The shootout ended with multiple agents wounded and several deaths, though Dillinger and his gang managed to escape. This event marked one of the last major confrontations before his death. He was eventually tracked down and killed in Chicago in 1934.
