History, haunting, and cave dangers make up the three things visitors will find at Wabasha Street Caves in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Unlike most cave tours, Wabasha has a character of its own. An event hall was built into the sandstone caves which run along the south shore of the Mississippi River in downtown Saint Paul. The caves were actually manufactured by mining rather than nature, but they have a long history.
The caves were homes for mobsters, speakeasies, and even events like "Swing Night.'' Swing Night is hosted in the event hall on Thursday nights with live band music and plenty of space for dancing. As part of the event hall there are tours of the original sandstone caves in Saint Paul and those out in Stillwater.
The first "cave'' was built in the 1840's when locals began mining for minerals. During the 1920's when the mines were no longer in use a restaurant and nightclub was built into the front of the cave. It was known as the Wabasha Street Speakeasy. John Dillinger and Ma Barker were two gangsters that were said to have visited the Speakeasy, though this is more legend than evidentiary fact.
Over the next several years the caves were used for growing mushrooms, storing food, belongings, and as places for music and dancing. In 1933 Josie and William Lehmann opened the Castle Royal which was built to the side of the cave entrances. Unfortunately, this establishment closed soon after due to the start of World War II. In the 70's a Castle Royal 2 was opened for disco music. Some of the items stored in the caves can still be seen today on the cave tours.
Cave tours are 45 minutes for $6 for adults and $5 for children or students. Anyone under 5 is free. Tours begin on Thursday at 5pm, Saturday and Sunday at 11am year round. The Saint Paul Gangster Tours go over the legends of John Dillinger and Ma Barker coming to the caves. This tour is 2 hours starting noon on Saturdays. The tour is $23.50. Reservations for the Gangster Tours are required, but not for the regular tour.
The company hosting the tours also offers season options like the Ghosts and Graves Tour at $18. The Ghosts, Graves, and Caves Tour is $23.50. For the second tour visitors are taken on a ghost walk around the area to graves of importance, and then into the caves. They also offer a Winter Lights Tour on Saturday nights from 7 to 9pm. This is a two hour tour at $23.50 per person.
The caves are said to be haunted, so during the tours visitors learn about these hauntings. Most specifically the caves are said to be the burial site for a 1930's shoot out that occurred in the Fireplace Room and in the bar located on site. A young boy was said to have seen some of the gangsters that frequented the place. The caves can be dangerous because of obstacles and mine shafts, which is why tour guides are necessary.
