Little Bohemia Lodge
THE LODGE
The famous Little Bohemia Lodge [1] in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin is the site of the epic 1934 gun battle between John Dillinger and his gang and Melvin Purvis and the FBI. The Lodge was built in 1927, suffered a fire in 1928, and was rebuilt in 1930. The historic Lodge remains as it was at the time of the FBI seige in 1934 and has a collection of memorabilia and damage from the gun fight, including the original bullet holes in the walls and windows. The Lodge is located on US Highway 51 in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin on Little Star Lake, on the Manitowish Chain of lakes.
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Little Bohemia Lodge, 1934
THE BATTLE
In April of 1934, the gang settled at Little Bohemia Lodge, then owned by Emil Wanatka, in the northern Wisconsin town of Manitowish Waters. The gang assured the owners that they would give no trouble, but the gang monitored the owners whenever they left or spoke on the phone. Emil's wife Nan and her brother managed to evade Baby Face Nelson, who was tailing them, and mailed a letter of warning to a U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago, which later contacted the FBI. Days later, a score of FBI agents led by Hugh Clegg and Melvin Purvis approached the lodge in the early morning hours. Two barking watchdogs announced their arrival, but the gang was so used to Nan Wanatka's dogs that they did not bother to inspect the disturbance. It was only after the FBI mistakenly gunned down a local resident and two innocent Civilian Conservation Corps workers (as they were about to drive away in a car) that the Dillinger gang were alerted to the presence of the FBI.[6] Gunfire between the groups lasted only momentarily, but the whole gang managed to escape in various ways despite the FBI's efforts to surround and storm the lodge. Agent W. Carter Baum was shot dead by "Baby Face" Nelson during the gun battle. Barney G. Louis Boeding accompanied him during the robberies.
TODAY
The Lodge remains operational today as a restaurant and gathering place. The Lodge is open year round, seven days a week. An historic display of artifacts and memorabilia is available for public viewing. The Lodge has been owned and operated by three successive families during it's history. It has long served as a community gathering spot and is known for great food, good times and a friendly atmosphere. Generations of families have enjoyed spending time at this historic location, returning year after year to re-visit a bygone era. website: www.littlebohemialodge.com/