The Midwest United States holds one of America's greatest unsolved mysteries - the location of notorious bank robber John Dillinger's missing fortune. Josh Gates from Expedition Unknown ventured across the heartland, from Dillinger's childhood haunts to remote Wisconsin lodges, searching for clues to the gangster's hidden wealth that vanished during the Great Depression era.
The Midwest United States, officially defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, occupies the northern central part of the country between the Northeastern and Western United States. This vast region, known until 1984 as the North Central Region, stretches from Canada to the south and encompasses the heartland where notorious bank robber John Dillinger operated during the Great Depression. Gates investigated this region searching for Dillinger's never-recovered fortune, focusing on locations tied to the gangster's criminal career including his childhood home and a remote Wisconsin lodge. The Midwest's network of small towns and rural hideouts provided ideal cover for Depression-era outlaws, making it the epicenter of America's most infamous bank robbery spree.
John Dillinger born in Indianapolis, Indiana
Dillinger's bank robbery spree across the Midwest
Dillinger killed by FBI agents in Chicago; much of his stolen money never recovered
Gates investigates Dillinger's lost loot for Expedition Unknown
John Dillinger remains one of America's most notorious criminals, having robbed an estimated two dozen banks and four police stations across the Midwest between 1933 and 1934. Historians have documented his exploits extensively, noting that while Dillinger was celebrated by some Depression-era Americans as a folk hero who targeted banks during economic hardship, he was also responsible for the deaths of at least one police officer during his crime spree. The FBI's pursuit of Dillinger marked a turning point in federal law enforcement, with J. Edgar Hoover elevating him to Public Enemy Number One.
The mystery of Dillinger's missing fortune has intrigued researchers for decades. Financial experts and historians estimate that much of the money stolen during his robberies was never recovered after his death outside Chicago's Biograph Theater in July 1934. Various theories have placed the hidden loot in locations across the Midwest, from rural Indiana to remote Wisconsin lakeshores where Dillinger and his gang were known to hide between jobs. The challenge for investigators is separating documented fact from the mythology that grew around Dillinger in the years following his death.
Gates' investigation approached the mystery by focusing on locations with documented connections to Dillinger's activities, including his childhood home and known hideouts. The episode examined whether the gangster would have had the opportunity to securely hide large amounts of cash during his life on the run, and whether any of his associates might have known the location. By combining historical research with on-site investigation, the episode explored the feasibility of various theories while acknowledging the difficulty of solving an 80-year-old cold case.
The Dillinger fortune mystery represents a particular challenge because many potential witnesses and associates have long since died, and the outlaw's final weeks were spent under intense law enforcement pressure, leaving little time for careful planning. Whether any significant cache remains hidden in the Midwest heartland remains an open question, though the region's connection to this chapter of American criminal history is well-established.
The U.S. Census Bureau officially renamed the region from North Central to Midwest in 1984
The Midwest region is bounded by Canada to the north and the Southern United States to the south
John Dillinger was killed by FBI agents in 1934 after being designated Public Enemy Number One
Much of the money Dillinger stole during his Depression-era bank robberies has never been recovered
The Midwest region is extensively accessible to visitors, with major cities, small towns, and rural areas connected by interstate highways and regional airports. Sites associated with Dillinger's story, including museums in Indiana and historical markers across several states, are generally open to the public, though specific locations investigated by Gates may be on private property. Visitors interested in Depression-era outlaw history should research specific sites in advance and respect current property ownership and local regulations.
Chicago, Illinois serves as a major hub for the region and is where Dillinger met his end outside the Biograph Theater.
Spring through fall offers the most comfortable weather for exploring Midwest historical sites, with summer providing the longest daylight hours for investigation. Winter diving conditions, as Gates experienced, can be extremely challenging with frigid temperatures.
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary
Another investigation into famous American criminal history and hidden fortunes from the gangster era
Dutch Schultz treasure site
Similar Depression-era gangster treasure hunt involving a notorious criminal's never-recovered fortune
Lake Michigan
Major Midwestern body of water where Gates has conducted underwater investigations, similar to the Wisconsin lake dive
Best time to visit: Spring through fall offers the best weather for exploring outdoor sites and conducting water-based treasure hunting activities.
Travel tip: Plan a multi-state road trip to cover the various Dillinger-related locations efficiently, and bring warm clothing if visiting Wisconsin lake sites during cooler months.
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia