In February 1987 a group of local citizens formed a committee to discuss the future of the Old Sheriff’s House in Crown Point. As a result of the efforts of this committee, in May of 1988 the Old Sheriff’s House Foundation was incorporated as a not for profit organization.

The purpose of the foundation was to rehabilitate Lake County’s former sheriff’s residence and jail. The effort to preserve this landmark served as the initial project for Crown Point’s "Main Street" renovation effort, a rehabilitation program which has resulted in the restoration of many properties in the downtown area of the city. Not only does the Sheriff’s House offer the potential of public organization meeting rooms as well as commercial space, it also preserves one of the few remaining examples of Second Empire architecture in Indiana.

Because of the large expenditure required to demolish the jail, the Foundation voted to retain and utilize the jail wing for commercial purposes. It will provide an income to offset maintenance costs for the entire structure. Consideration has been given to maintaining part of the house as a public reception or tour center for the combined house and jail, and leasing the greater portion of the house for professional offices or commercial use.

The dedication of the Old Sheriff’s House Foundation members, some who have been involved since the beginning of the project, and other volunteers has contributed to the success of the renovation project to date. Volunteer help has been a key source of aid. Volunteers have worked at a wide variety of jobs; they have given guided tours, sold souvenirs, done maintenance work around the property, refinished woodwork, done electrical work, and served as architectural and engineering consultants.

Funding sources for the project have included local corporations, financial institutions, utility companies, health care facilitates, fraternal organizations, county, state and federal government, and annual community solicitations. Building materials have been received from local lumber companies, sheet metal and glazing shops and labor has been contributed extensively from certain building trade union journeymen and apprentices. These sources continue to be available.

Several grants, including two from the National Park Service and one each from Hometown Indiana Historic Preservation and Build Indiana, have also provided monies for restoration work. . Restoration projects completed to date are:

• Repair the roof of the house and jail wing
• Repair and tuck point the exterior brick of the house and jail wing
• Replace mansard slate roof on the residence
• Repair the cupola on the house and the skylights on the jail
• Replace copper gutters of the residence and part of the jail
• Reconstruct part of the wooden front porch of the residence
• Paint analysis of residence exterior and woodwork and wallpaper analysis of the interior of the first floor
• Reglaze residence
• Rebuild entry platform to the jail

More recent progress in the restoration of the facility can be attributed either directly or indirectly to the filming of "Public Enemies" by Universal Pictures starring Johnny Depp as John Dillinger and to our partnership with the City of Crown Point in promoting us.

Universal directly restored the jail office, booking area, main stairwell and the large cellblock.

Thanks to overwhelming interest in the movie and renewed interest in John Dillinger's escape from our jail, the following projects were recently finished.

• Refinished the first floor rooms including walls, oak trim and floors.
   
• Restored two first floor bathrooms
  1. Resurfaced sinks
  2. Refinished floors
  3  Refinished woodwork
  4. Plastered walls
  5. Replaced Plumbing
   
• Refinished entrance vestibule, hall and staircase.
   
• Repaired and enhanced the porch and front steps including the addition of a handrail.