Dillinger Days and "A" Mountain

Charles and I did some more touristy things on Saturday. We attended "Dillinger Days" at the Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson. "Dillinger Days" is celebrated every year in January. This event revolves around a man named John Dillinger and the events surrounding his bank robbery in Chicago in 1934 and subsequent journey with his gang to Tucson.

A fire broke out at the Hotel Congress where members of the Dillinger gang were staying. Forced to leave their luggage behind, they were rescued through a window and down a fire truck ladder. Charles Makley tipped a couple of firemen $12 to climb back up and retrieve the luggage, affording the firefighters a good look at several members of Dillinger's gang. The firemen later recognized Makley and Ed Shouse while thumbing through a copy of True Detective and informed the police who promptly arrested Dillinger and his gang without incident two days later.

The event had Model A Fords on display, historical lectures about Tucson and re-enactments of the bank robbery and hotel fire. It was a very educational day!





This car reminds me of the statue in the movie "Cars"


Re-enactment of the Chicago Bank Robbery



Re-enactment of the Hotel Congress fire and firemen coming to the rescue


After we had our fill of Dillinger Days, we drove to the top of Sentinel Peak, fondly referred to as "A" Mountain by the locals (for the University of Arizona). From the top of the peak (which isn't very high), we had fantastic views of downtown and all the mountains surrounding Tucson.


Charles at the base of the "A"