Explore Wisconsin's Gangster Hideouts

Prohibition-era Chicago gangsters found cover--and comforts--in the dense Wisconsin woods. Today, those hideouts are back in the spotlight, thanks to Johnny Depp's 2009 film Public Enemies.

In the movie, Depp stars as real-life Chicago bank robber John Dillinger, who, like Al Capone, Baby Face Nelson and Bugs Moran, often retreated to Wisconsin. These big-time criminals took advantage of the rustic surroundings to store liquor and set up gambling and prostitution operations--but the cops were never far behind!

Some of Wisconsin's gangster hideouts and Public Enemies filming locations are on the following slides; check with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism for a complete list.

Pictured: Downtown Columbus, Wisconsin, is one of the settings for Johnny Depp's film Public Enemies.

Wisconsin Department of Tourism