Iron Range Speakeasy Tunnel To Reopen

BOVEY, Minn. (AP/WCCO) — A bit of Prohibition era history is about to reopen to the public on Minnesota's Iron Range.

Annabella's Antique Mall in Bovey plans to reopen a secret speakeasy tunnel at a red carpet event Friday night.

The building used to house a hardware store, and part of the store allegedly operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Patrons would escape through the tunnel during raids.

Ann Killian owns the store that allegedly had parts that operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Patrons would escape through the tunnel during raids.

"Back in the day, you used to need a password to get in to know if you were the feds or not," Killian said.

Guests are welcome to attend in glitzy, 1920s or '30s costumes. To enter, you'll have to give the official speakeasy password to the guard at the door.

"It's super cool, we have an old lantern hanging in the end of it," she said.

The password can be found on YouTube at the Bovey edition of the documentary series "Gems of Itasca."

Free-will donations will go to the Gems of Itasca community development project.

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