Entry No. 15 — the Minneapolis file — filed under: haunted
Wabasha Street Caves
Carved into the sandstone hillsides, these historic caves served as a 1930s gangster speakeasy and casino, and they are allegedly haunted by the victims of an unsolved mob execution.
The story
Dug straight into the St. Peter sandstone cliffs along the Mississippi River, the Wabasha Street Caves began as 1800s silica mines before turning into mushroom-growing cellars and eventually the Castle Royal—a lavish, subterranean 1930s nightclub and speakeasy. Because Saint Paul operated under an unwritten agreement where notorious gangsters could lay low as long as they bribed local police and kept their violence outside city limits, the cave became an underground playground for the likes of John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson.
You didn't hear it from us, but off-the-record mob business didn't always stay clean. According to local lore, an uninvited hit crew cornered three gangsters at a back table inside the cave casino, executing them before slipping back out into the Saint Paul night. The bodies were never officially found, but the myth stuck—along with alleged ghost sightings and real, visible bullet holes left behind in the brick walling.
Today, the site remains one of the Midwest's few surviving underground Prohibition hubs. Step inside and you're stepping into cool, damp sandstone passages that saw high-stakes gambling, bootleg gin, and depression-era mob deals long before anyone turned on the floodlights for tour groups.
What it's like
Step through the entrance carved into the West Side cliff face and you'll immediately feel the natural subterranean chill. On Thursday nights, the main cavern lights up for big band swing dance nights—doors open at 6:15 PM for dance lessons before the orchestra starts. Atmosphere-wise, it feels equal parts vintage ballroom and damp hideout; bring a jacket or sweater regardless of the temperature outside on Wabasha Street, and book your guided tour tickets ahead of time if you want to inspect the bullet-pocked masonry up close.
The move: Attend their Thursday night Swing Dance lessons with a live big band orchestra, then take a guided 'Down in History' tour to spot the actual bullet holes left in the brick walls from the Prohibition era.
- 📍 West Side, St. Paul
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 215 Wabasha St S, St Paul, MN 55107
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Forepaugh's Restaurant — Pair subterranean mob history with dinner inside an 1870 Victorian mansion famously inhabited by its own resident ghost.
- Science Museum of Minnesota - Questionable Medical Devices Collection — Swap underground gangster hideouts for early 20th-century fraudulent medical gadgets just across the river in downtown St. Paul.
- The Historic Mounds Theatre — Double down on 1920s hauntings by heading east to a 1922 vaudeville theater famous for its eerie paranormal sightings.
Good to know
What should I wear when visiting the caves?
Bring a sweater or jacket even during hot summer months, as temperatures inside the sandstone caverns stay naturally cool year-round.
What happened at the caves during Prohibition?
In the 1930s, the caves housed an underground speakeasy and casino called Castle Royal, serving illicit alcohol to patrons and notorious mobsters hiding out in Saint Paul.
How do the Thursday night swing dances work?
Doors open at 6:15 PM for beginner dance lessons, followed by a full live big band orchestra performance inside the underground cavern.
Are guided tours available to see the historical areas?
Yes, public guided tours (such as the 'Down in History' tour) run on select schedules; check their official calendar online to book tickets before arriving.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · visitsaintpaul.com · Wikipedia
last checked: 2026-07-21