{"id":1959,"date":"2017-03-08T08:59:10","date_gmt":"2017-03-08T14:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/?p=1959"},"modified":"2023-07-23T07:12:47","modified_gmt":"2023-07-23T12:12:47","slug":"st-paul-gangsters-looking-for-a-good-time-at-the-wabasha-street-caves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/st-paul-gangsters-looking-for-a-good-time-at-the-wabasha-street-caves\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Paul Gangsters at the Wabasha Street Caves Tours"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the heart of St. Paul, down by the river, there are a few party-goers that just don\u2019t want to stop the party. In the glamor of old Hollywood, who would want to? But there is a whole other reason for their strange behavior at the Wabasha Street Caves.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wabasha Street Caves started out as a man-made caves<\/span> created to grow mushrooms. But after a few ownership changes, they\u2019ve been a roaring nightclub, a speakeasy, and a disco. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today they are a small event venue. But what draws most of the guests to the establishment, has more to do with the haunted past and the event that happened during its speakeasy days.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The History of the Wabasha Street Caves and The St. Paul Gangsters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Castle Royal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 1933 the Castle Royal nightclub was the most exclusive club in town. Their menu prices ensured that only the extremely well do to visit their place.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that day, the well-to-do mostly consisted of the more unsavory character. Dangerous characters like George Baby Face Nelson and Alvin Creepy Karips were frequent guests.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One night a young woman behind the bar was waiting to close up and an argument broke out between a few of the guests. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It got so bad, that one individual got out his Tommy Gun and mowed the other three individuals down. After seeing what had just happened, the bartender locked herself in the office and called the cops. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cops told her to wait outside until they arrived. They arrived 30 minutes later, with the guests still in there. The cops went in for about an hour. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they came out, they told her not to prank call the Police again.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was in disbelief. She had just seen a vicious murder. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They brought her in and the place was immaculate. She was not aware of the fact that the police and organized crime had an understanding. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to police Chief O\u2019Connor, it\u2019s believed that the police helped to cover up the crime. The caves had a bunch of unused tunnels of loose soil. We think that is where the bodies were buried.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Halways<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Haunting Inside<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over the years the club has gone through many changes. Today, the former speakeasy is an event venue for smaller parties. Partygoers have stated that they have seen a few extra guests. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One person described the guest as someone dressed like a gangster from the 1920s who just roams around. This man is translucent and was seen going through a cave wall.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a wedding reception was held in the Wabasha Caves, a young guest told his Mom how much he enjoyed playing with the gangsters. But the mom knew there were no gangsters dressed up that night.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The staff doesn\u2019t feel that the spirits have any ill will towards anyone. Many have reported that while in the back section of the caves, they will often hear their names called out. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After investigating, they find that no one is there. Some tour guests have even gotten their own encounters. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When stopping to take some pictures or visit the bathrooms, they have reported hearing muffled sounds of a 1930s big band starting up.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Haunted<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Wabasha Street Cave Tours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After hearing about this, I wanted to check it out myself. The tour guides take guests through the different rooms and fill your heads with tales from the past, including the infamous night at Casino Royal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They do a great job of keeping the group together and engaged. They show things like the location of the shootout and where they believe the bodies may have been buried within the caves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can see the spots on the fireplace mantel where the Tommy guns unloaded at the guest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lost Souls Tours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The standard walking tour is the most popular, they have also added a Lost Souls Tour on the last Sunday of the month. This tour focuses more on the different sightings in the cave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll hear the stories and stand where the mysterious occurrences happened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I consider myself someone that loves a good haunting, I opted for a traditional tour. They talk about the \u2018incident\u2019 but don\u2019t get into the current-day hauntings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Architecture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inside you\u2019ll see some of the unique types of\u00a0architecture and eclectic\u00a0styling from the years past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though the place gets reinvented every few decades things like the original entryways in a mushroom shape remain behind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bar is a mix of neon, and the ballroom is like a mix of old Hollywood with a little darkness to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Movie Set<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One thing I found really interesting was that the caves have been used to film a few movies. There were some carvings and other memorabilia left behind that you can see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Things to Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The caves are currently open up to the public through the\u00a0Wabasha Street Tours. They run year-round and cost $8 per person, 5 and under are free. Check their website for more details. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the tour, you will hear stories about haunting and so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting there<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Wabasha Street Cave is located at 215 Wabasha Street South in St Paul. It is south of the Mississippi River, so if you don\u2019t like driving in St. Paul\u2019s Crazy streets, not to worry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is easy off the main road. They also have parking in a lot in front. If it’s full, there is additional parking around the corner in a much larger lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for your visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n