Wabasha Street Caves | Saint Paul

The Wabasha Street Caves in Saint Paul, Minnesota, are a fascinating and unique landmark with a rich and varied history that reflects the city’s industrial, cultural, and sometimes notorious past. Carved out of the sandstone bluffs along the Mississippi River, these caves have evolved from industrial uses to a lively hub of entertainment and historical storytelling.

Origins and Early Use

The caves were originally created in the 1840s as sandstone quarries. Workers mined the soft sandstone from the bluffs to supply building materials for the growing city of Saint Paul. Over time, as the demand for sandstone declined, the caves found new purposes that took advantage of their naturally cool, stable temperatures and expansive underground spaces.

Mushroom Farming and Early 20th Century Usage

In the early 1900s, the caves were used for mushroom farming. The caves' consistent cool and humid conditions provided an ideal environment to cultivate mushrooms year-round, a practice that capitalized on their natural climate control before the advent of modern refrigeration.

Prohibition Era and Organized Crime

The caves gained their most colorful and enduring reputation during the Prohibition era (1920–1933), when the sale of alcoholic beverages was illegal in the United States. The Wabasha Street Caves became the site of a secret speakeasy nightclub called the Castle Royal, which operated as an underground venue for dancing, drinking, and socializing, hidden away from law enforcement.

While many tales and local legends claim that infamous gangsters such as John Dillinger, Ma Barker, and other notorious criminals frequented or hid out in the caves, concrete historical evidence is limited. Regardless, the caves have become symbolic of the era’s organized crime and underground culture in Saint Paul, sometimes referred to as the city’s “gangster era.” The ambiance, secretive location, and stories surrounding the caves add to their mystique and tourist appeal.

Post-Prohibition to Present

Following Prohibition, the caves were used for various purposes, including storage, industrial activities, and as a location for social events. Eventually, the caves were restored and converted into a modern venue that embraces both their historic legacy and their potential as an event space.

Today, the Wabasha Street Caves are a vibrant entertainment complex that hosts a variety of events, including historical tours, live music concerts, dance nights, and private functions such as weddings and corporate events.

Tours and Experiences

Visitors to the Wabasha Street Caves can engage with the history and ambiance through a variety of tours and events:

Historic Cave Tour: This approximately 45-minute guided tour takes visitors through the caves’ history, highlighting their origin as sandstone quarries, their use during Prohibition, and the gangster lore that surrounds them. Guides share stories of the hidden nightclub and the secretive life underground in Saint Paul’s past.

Saint Paul Gangster Tour: A two-hour motorcoach tour that takes visitors around the city’s famous gangster-related sites, narrated by guides in period costume portraying gangsters. This tour offers a broader context of Saint Paul’s history as a safe haven for criminals in the early 20th century.

Swing Dance Night: Hosted weekly, this event celebrates the music and dance styles of the 1930s and 1940s. Attendees can enjoy live Big Band music, take free dance lessons, and experience the caves’ unique atmosphere as a vintage dance hall.

Lost Souls Tour: A monthly paranormal-themed tour exploring legends and ghost stories associated with the caves, adding an eerie dimension to the historic setting.

Architectural and Environmental Characteristics

The caves themselves are carved from sandstone bluffs and provide a naturally cool environment year-round, maintaining temperatures around 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. This consistent temperature historically made them perfect for mushroom cultivation and speakeasy use, and today they provide a comfortable setting for events regardless of the weather above ground.

The interior is spacious and features multiple chambers and tunnels, some of which have been outfitted with modern lighting, sound systems, and seating to accommodate live performances and gatherings while preserving the raw, rugged character of the stone walls.

Visitor Information

Location: 215 Wabasha Street South, Saint Paul, MN 55107 - situated near downtown Saint Paul along the Mississippi River.

Accessibility: The caves are wheelchair accessible with ramps, restrooms, and seating areas designed to accommodate all visitors.

Operating Hours: Various tours and events are scheduled throughout the week; historic tours and themed events have specific times and should be booked in advance.

Admission Fees: Prices vary by event, with historic tours around $11 per person, gangster tours approximately $40, and special events priced accordingly.

Nearby Attractions

The Wabasha Street Caves are conveniently close to several other prominent Saint Paul landmarks, allowing visitors to combine their visit with other cultural and historic sites, such as:

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area: A scenic area offering trails and river views.

Cathedral of Saint Paul: An architectural and spiritual landmark nearby.

James J. Hill House: Another historic mansion highlighting the city’s wealthy railroad era.

Summary

The Wabasha Street Caves uniquely combine natural geology, industrial history, Prohibition-era mystique, and modern entertainment. Their layered past-from sandstone quarry to mushroom farm, to gangster hideout, and now cultural venue-makes them a captivating destination. They allow visitors to experience an underground world rich in stories, atmosphere, and historical significance, serving as both a monument to Saint Paul’s colorful past and a lively venue for contemporary events.