Lac Courte Oreilles Band buys Capone hideoutBy Gale Courey ToensingLong before “The Godfather” made the phrase “going to the mattresses” famous, America’s uber-gangster Al Capone was hiding out in the Midwest.
Now the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Ojibwa has purchased the famous mobster’s Wisconsin hideout--a nearly 400-acre property near Couderay for $2.7 million.And:
Capone used his Wisconsin hideout during the height of his illegal activities. According to a Web site offering information about the hideout, Capone designed and built the place as a fortress. Construction began in 1925, and the main lodge where Capone lived is made of fieldstone and has walls 18 inches thick. The place was lavishly furnished with matching spiral staircases and a huge fireplace in the living room.
The secluded retreat is primarily wooded and has an eight-car garage, guest towers--and two gun towers Bisonette said.Comment: For another gangster with a Native connection, see
(Mis)casting in Public Enemies and
Dillinger's Menominee Moll.
That's A hideout, not the hideout.
ReplyDeleteThere were many. From Wikipedia:
"For his trips away from Chicago, Capone was reputed to have had several other retreats and hideouts located in Brookfield, Wisconsin; Saint Paul, Minnesota; Olean, New York; French Lick, as well as Terre Haute, Indiana; Dubuque, Iowa; Jacksonville, Florida; Hot Springs, Arkansas; where former New York Goffer Gang member Owney "The Killer" Madden retired and married the postmaster's daughter. Owney and the old gang never lost contact and were always welcome to visit for a safe peaceful vacation. First time Luciano was arrested was in Hot Springs. Johnson City, Tennessee; Grand Haven, Michigan and Lansing, Michigan"
Three in Michigan not named include Frankfort, Leland, and the Ludington Hotel in Escanaba.