Castle Royal, 215 Wabasha Street South, Saint Paul, Minnesota
From Placeography
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Castle Royal | |
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| Address: | 215 Wabasha Street S |
| Neighborhood/s: | West Side, Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| City/locality- State/province | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| County- State/province: | Ramsey County, Minnesota |
| State/province: | Minnesota |
| Country: | United States |
| Historic Function: | House/single dwelling or duplex |
| Current Function: | House/single dwelling or duplex |
| Material of Exterior Wall Covering: | Brick |
Castle Royal, 215 Wabasha Street South, Saint Paul, Minnesota
(44.935916° N, 93.086991° WLatitude: 44°56′9.298″N
Longitude: 93°5′13.168″W)
(44.935916° N, 93.086991° WLatitude: 44°56′9.298″N
Longitude: 93°5′13.168″W)
The caves of Castle Royal were carved out of the river bluffs. Josie and William Lehmann began to convert the cave into a nightclub in 1932. The club's grand opening was October 26,1933. In 1965 the Lehmans sold the property. It was renovated in 1972.
With rich oriental carpets, crystal chandeliers, and seats for 300 revelers, the underground Castle Royal hosted performers like Cab Calloway, Harry James, and the Dorsey Brothers in the front rooms and illicit gambling in the back rooms. Castle Royal was reputedly a favorite of gangsters.
St. Paul police chief, John O'Connor, allowed some of the FBI's most-wanted criminals to use his city as a sanctuary as long as they didn't rob local businesses or shoot up the town. Criminals such as Ma Barker, Baby Face Nelson and John Dillinger used St. Paul as a haven, reportedly spending some of the time at the Castle Royal.[1]Contents |
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