Tour guides still point to marks in the sandstone walls that they call bullet holes. The story behind them involves an unsolved gangland shooting that nobody has ever cracked.
The spot started out in the 1840s as a sand mine. Later it grew mushrooms, then turned into a speakeasy, a casino, and a swanky nightclub during the Prohibition years.
I love that this Minnesota landmark never settled on just one job. It kept reinventing itself underground while the city carried on above. Today you can tour it, dance in it, or even get married in it.
The Story Starts With Sand, Not Gangsters
Long before anyone whispered a password at the door, workers were hauling out sand. The Wabasha Street Caves began as man-made mines dug into sandstone cliffs in the 1840s.
Miners pulled out silica, a fine sand used in glassmaking. So technically, these are mines and not natural caves. Call them caves anyway, because everyone does, and the name sounds far more dramatic.
Once the mining wrapped up, the tunnels found a surprisingly tasty second career. In the early 1900s, growers used the cool, dark space as a mushroom farm. The steady underground climate also made it handy for storing and preserving food.
I like how practical this whole chapter feels. Nobody planned a party palace here at first. People simply noticed that a cool tunnel in the side of a bluff was useful, and they put it to work.
That steady temperature still matters today. The caves use natural heating and cooling from the earth, which keeps things comfortable without much fuss. On a sticky Minnesota summer afternoon, that sounds pretty great.
Knowing this background makes the tour more fun. You’ll understand why the rooms look the way they do. Every wall started as somebody’s hard day of digging.
Prohibition Turned These Tunnels Into a Secret Party
The 1920s brought a national ban on certain drinks, and the caves suddenly got a lot more interesting. A speakeasy, restaurant, and casino moved in underground.
Think about how clever that was. A space carved deep into a cliff was already out of sight. It made a natural spot for folks who wanted to have fun away from prying eyes.
In 1933, Josie and William Lehmann turned the space into a nightclub called Castle Royal. It became a fancy place for dinner, music, and dancing. Famous bandleader Cab Calloway reportedly performed there, which gives the place serious star power.
That name still fits today. The outside entrance looks a bit like a quaint Tudor castle, so the royal theme never really faded. It’s a fun surprise to find a castle front on a city street in St. Paul.
Inside, the venue has finished brick walls and stucco ceilings. A theatrical stage and a large hardwood dance floor keep the nightclub spirit alive.
Honestly, the whole setup sounds like a movie set. The difference is that this one is real, and you can stand right where those old bands played.
Those Famous Outlaw Rumors Come With a Wink
John Dillinger and Ma Barker are the big names tied to this place. Stories have long claimed these gangsters used the caves as a hideout and hangout.
Here comes the honest part. Some historical accounts say there’s no solid proof that these specific outlaws ever visited. The tales may be more legend than fact.
Does that ruin the fun? Not even a little. St. Paul really did have a reputation as a gangster-friendly city back then, and these stories grew from that wild era.
I believe the best way to enjoy the legends is with a raised eyebrow. Listen closely, picture the scene, and then decide for yourself what sounds true. Good guides make that part a blast.
The most famous tale involves an unsolved gangland murder in the old casino and speakeasy area. Guides often show visitors the supposed bullet holes in the wall. It’s a creepy little detail that sticks with you.
Kids especially love that moment, though parents may get more questions than expected on the drive home. Be ready to explain the word gangster at least twice. Maybe three times if the bullet holes made a strong impression.
Grab a Spot on the Historic Cave Tour First
New to the caves? The Historic Cave Tour is the easiest place to begin, and it packs a lot of story into a short visit.
Tours last roughly 40 to 60 minutes. Guides walk you through the mining days, the mushroom farm years, and the switch to a restaurant, casino, and speakeasy. Then they get to the juicy part about the unsolved shooting.
The tour is recommended for ages 6 and up. That makes it a solid outing for families with curious grade-schoolers who like a good mystery.
Plan to bring a light jacket. Underground spaces stay cool, which feels amazing in July and a little brisk any other time. Your future self will thank you.
The venue is ADA accessible, which is great news for groups with mixed mobility needs. Free parking for about 60 cars also makes the trip simpler than most downtown outings.
One tip worth following is booking ahead. Tour times run on a set schedule that changes by day, so checking before you go saves a wasted trip. Popular slots can fill up, especially on weekends. A little planning goes a long way here.
Thursday Nights Belong to the Big Band Crowd
Every Thursday, the old nightclub wakes right back up. Swing Dance Night fills the caves with live Big Bands and singers playing music from the 1930s and 1940s.
The sound calls back to legends like Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. Horns, rhythm, and a packed dance floor in a cave? That’s a pretty unbeatable combo.
Worried about two left feet? An introductory dance lesson comes included with admission. So you can show up clueless and leave with at least a few moves to brag about.
I like how this night connects straight back to the Castle Royal days. People danced to big band music in these same rooms decades ago. Now a new crowd keeps that rhythm going.
The large hardwood dance floor gives everyone room to spin. The theatrical stage puts the band right where it belongs, front and center.
This is a fun pick for a date night or a group outing with friends. Wear comfy shoes, because swing dancing involves more hopping than you’d expect. Vintage outfits aren’t required, but they’d certainly fit the mood down there. Your dance partner might appreciate the effort too.
Ghost Stories Hit Different Underground
In October 2021, the Star Tribune named this spot the winner of the Most Haunted Place in Minnesota. That’s quite a title for a former mushroom farm.
The Lost Souls Tour leans into that reputation. It covers haunted events, unsolved gangster murders, and other reported strange happenings inside the caves.
Here’s a nice surprise. The tour isn’t designed to be frightening, so you won’t get jump scares from costumed actors. It’s more about storytelling and spooky history than screaming.
Still, it’s not recommended for children under 10. Younger kids may want to stick with the daytime history tour instead and save the ghosts for a few years down the road.
Sandstone walls, dim rooms, and old crime stories all add to the eerie mood. Even skeptics might glance over their shoulder once or twice. No judgment if you do.
Fans of true crime podcasts and creepy legends should put this one near the top of their list. Bring a friend who claims they don’t believe in ghosts. Then watch how close they stand to you by the end of the tour.
Hop on a Bus to See the City’s Shady Side
The caves are only one piece of a much bigger outlaw puzzle. The Original Saint Paul Gangster Tour takes the story above ground and onto the streets.
This bus tour visits historic gangster sites around Saint Paul. You’ll see the city in a whole new way, one notorious corner at a time.
St. Paul’s past includes plenty of colorful characters, and this ride connects the dots. It pairs nicely with a cave tour if you want the full picture in one day.
Kids under eight may get restless on a longer bus ride, so this one suits older children and adults best. Anyone who likes history with a little attitude should enjoy it.
Guides bring loads of humor to these rides. If you prefer straight facts, just know the tone tends to be playful and entertaining. Laughs and history share the seat here.
Seasonal choices have also included Ghosts and Graves Bus Tours that stop at haunted locations and a cemetery. Those pop up at certain times of year, so watch the schedule. Timing your trip right could land you a seat on one of the spookier rides.
Your Wedding Could Have Way Better Stories Than Most
Most wedding venues can’t offer a mystery shooting as part of their backstory. The Wabasha Street Caves can, and it hosts weddings, corporate gatherings, and banquets.
The 12,000-square-foot space holds roughly 200 to 225 guests. Carpeted dining areas, tiled lounge areas, and that big hardwood dance floor give events plenty of room to breathe.
A long bar of about 60 to 65 feet handles drink service for events. Onsite coat check, tables, chairs, and event security help take a lot of stress off the planner.
Food comes through preferred local caterers. They can handle breakfast, lunch, or dinner events, depending on what your crowd needs.
I like how the venue mixes history with practical comfort. It’s ADA accessible, and free parking for about 60 cars makes guest arrival much easier. Natural earth cooling keeps the rooms steady, too.
Eco-minded couples may appreciate the energy-saving design and conservation practices. Picture your first dance where Castle Royal crowds once swayed. Okay, that was almost a forbidden phrase, but the image works too well to skip. Guests will be talking about this one for years.
Finding the Castle Door Is Half the Fun
A castle front set against a bluff is hard to miss once you know to look for it. You’ll find the Wabasha Street Caves at 215 Wabasha St S, St Paul, MN 55107.
The location sits just across the Mississippi River from downtown St. Paul. That makes it easy to fold into a bigger day exploring the city.
This place has had a lot of lives. In the 1970s it became a disco, which went by the name The Library in the 1980s. It’s spent roughly the past three decades as an event venue and tourist spot.
Things nearly ended in late 2020 when the former owners retired and the caves closed. Thankfully, popular demand brought them back in 2022.
Other offerings have included a Tommy Gun Murder Mystery and an Improv Show. Seasonal Troll Tales tours for kids have appeared too, which sounds adorable.
Hours change from day to day based on tours and events, so check the schedule before heading over. A little homework pays off here. After all, Minnesota has plenty of fun stops, but very few come with sand mines, mushrooms, swing music, and a mystery all in one.
