Goshen, Indiana: Bulletproof Anti-Gangster Pillbox

The pillbox on the corner of Lincoln Highway is by the old Goshen Courthouse -- and neighboring 1912 Olympia Restaurant and Ice Cream and Chocolates.

Structure erected in 1939 to protect the city of Goshen, Indiana, from gangsters passing through on the transcontinental Lincoln Highway.

The kids loved this one!

It is still there, right in the middle of downtown Goshen, on the corner of US33/SR15 (by city hall). According to the historical marker, the Indiana state police erected it to keep an eye on/discourage the gangsters of the '20s and '30s from driving through Indiana on the way to Chicago. It is octagonal with "bullet-proof" windows, but it badly needs restoration, as at least 2 windows are cracked. If you have nothing better to do and happen to be in the area, drive past it and read the marker.

This is a vague recollection. My wife and I were driving in the eastern half of Indiana, on back roads and through small towns. I believe this was on a state road south of South Bend. We were on a tight schedule as we'd spent too much time exploring and I regret not spending more time at this site. It was at the intersection of the two main roads in the town, probably on a corner of the courthouse square and positioned to allow a straight shot down either road at approaching vehicles. It was a block building, probably with bulletproof glass and gun slots. It was hexagonal or octagonal as I remember and about eight feet tall and large enough for probably two to three people to stand in. It was built during the gangster era and the plaque stated that it was to be used to shoot at gangsters' cars as they passed through the town. I believe that the plaque also stated that it was never used.