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BY ADELE L. MACKANOS
Times Staff Writer | Tuesday, July 06, 2004 | (No comments posted.)
CROWN POINT -- It was abandoned by the county and left to decay, but the jail where John Dillinger made his infamous escape with a bogus gun was rescued by grass-roots supporters of historic landmarks, whose efforts also saved the old Sheriff's House from a wrecking ball.
In 1989, Save the Sheriff's House Foundation paid $14,316 dollars in delinquent taxes at a county auction to acquire deed to both structures that are on the National Register of Historic Places.
"It's been a very slow process, and we're certainly not done, but our goal remains the same - to restore these historic and architecturally sound buildings," said Foundation President John Heidbreder.
And Bruce Woods, president of the Lake County Historical Society and curator of the museum in the Old Courthouse, said he has more than a casual interest in the site most historians would agree put Crown Point on the map 70 years ago.
"John and I have talked on several occasions concerning the use of space at the old jail," Woods said. "We felt that some of the jail could be incorporated into a museum. It could be an extension of our museum (in the Old Courthouse) as we are reaching capacity, or it could be a separate entity in itself."
Heidbreder said the old jail that's attached to the back of the Old Sheriff's House at 226 S. Main St. was constructed after the three-story sheriff's house was built in 1882.
Jonathon Forgey, treasurer of the non-profit foundation, said one of the obstacles that has slowed completion of the project has been getting adequate funding.
Forgey said the Foundation, composed of a board of eight local residents, obtains its share of monies from numerous fund-raisers, tours, grants, corporate and community contributions.
Members of the Northwest Indiana Building Trades Council have also donated free labor and materials toward the renovation.
In 1996, sizable funding was funneled into repair of the buildings via a $25,000 grant. The funds were part of a $4 million statewide improvement package.
Hometown Indiana was created by the Indiana General Assembly in 1988 to establish a grant fund where the state could help communities proceed with projects in three areas - acquisition and development of local public parks, preservation and restoration of historic sites and structures and implementation of forestry programs and planting projects.
"Some might say it appears that not much has been done in the past 15 years on our restoration project, but we have made both buildings water-tight, repaired the roof, tuckpointed the masonry, glazed windows in the sheriff's house and are currently working on the interior," Forgey said. "But what's far more important is that we've preserved a significant part of this city's rich history by not letting these structures be demolished. And that will be a legacy enjoyed by generations to come."
Adele Mackanos can be reached at adelem@nwitimes.com or (219) 662-5338.
From 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday, there are tour of the Old Sheriff's House. The tours are open to the public through September. There is a $1 admission fee for adults, with proceeds going toward the Sheriff's House Foundation. New members are always welcome. To make a contribution to the foundation, call (219) 663-1800 or (219) 663-3765.
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