Back In The Day This Minnesota City Was A Mafia Mecca

We’ve all heard stories and seen movies of Prohibition-era gangsters and mob bosses. But did you know that organized crime was a stark reality of turn-of-the-century Minnesota? The Twin Cities — St. Paul, in particular — played host to a number of big players in the world of organized crime. Back in the early 20th century, St. Paul, Minnesota, was practically a Mafia Mecca.

Around the turn of the 20th century, St. Paul had gained a reputation for being a safe harbor for criminals.

Jonathan Miske/Flickr

The 1920s brought Prohibition, which led to many mob-controlled bootlegging operations. St. Paul became a hub of illegal libations, with secret speakeasies serving drinks behind closed doors.

TumblingRun/Flickr

The old Green Lantern Saloon at 525 Wabasha — now demolished — also hosted criminal activity. It was used as a base of operations and planning for several notable criminals.

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Corrupt politicians led to leniency towards famous criminals such as bank robbers John Dillinger and “Baby Face” Nelson, and even mob boss Al Capone. They and many other gangsters spent time hiding out in St. Paul.

United States Bureau of Prisons/Wikimedia Commons

The Barker-Karpis Gang set up shop in West St. Paul to plot criminal activities. In 1932, the gang robbed two Minneapolis banks.

Wikimedia Commons

One spot said to have housed gangster activity is today’s Wabasha Street Caves. Here, many famous crimes were planned — and many police were bribed into silence.

Max Sparber/Flickr

Many other spots in St. Paul and neighboring Minneapolis housed illicit activity during the Prohibition era. The Twin Cities are a treasure trove of Mafia, gangster, and organized crime history.

Tony Webster/Flickr

Did you know about St. Paul’s early 20th-century history? Have you ever visited any of the well-known gangster hideouts still present in the city? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.