Forgotten Brewery Caves - The Robber's Cave, Lincoln Nebraska

I've mentioned that my policy on describing Forgotten Brewery Caves from a long distance perspective is that they must be safe, well documented, and worth the while of a visitor.  This narrows the field quite a lot.  But occasionally a site comes through famously, providing one with history, legend, and in the case of The Robber's Cave in Lincoln Nebraska, an excellent glass of beer at the end of your visit.

Like other Western states Nebraska's development was slowed by the Civil War.  In the case of Lincoln, the fact that it was not on the Missouri River - the major transportation artery - also hindered its growth.  In fact until it was declared the state capital in 1867 it was not much of a community.

After that of course things changed.  And among many other things a brewery was needed.  Legislating is a thirsty business after all.

The Pioneer Brewery was established in 1869.  The principals were Michael Ulmer and Andrew Lindner.  Both have made fleeting appearances in Forgotten Brewery Caves before.  Ulmer had a brewery in Pepin Wisconsin, then in Hastings Minnesota.  When the latter burned in 1867 - forcing him to leap from a second story window - Ullmer went west.  Lindner was said to be from Waukesha Wisconsin. Interestingly  there was also an Andrew Lindner who was a 20th century proprietor of the Cassville Brewery, although whether this was his a son or a man staying in the business for an unusually long time is unclear.

The Pioneer Brewery took advantage of a pre-existing cave.  One in fact that had some evidence of use by Native American tribes.  They hired a man to extend the cave system and built their brewery such that they could take kegs straight in from the basement.

The venture was not a success.  It went out of business in 1873.  The building was later used for shady purposes...as a dance hall and house of at least dubious repute.  Eventually it burned down.

It was after the brewery went under the history of the cave has its most intriguing, if unconfirmed event.  Supposedly Jessie James hid out there on his retreat from the failed 1876 Northfield Raid.  As his mother Zerelda was living in Nebraska at the time this would seem to be a bit more plausible than many of the other places he was rumored to have been.

Caves like this tended to remain locally known. It was a tourist attraction for a while, then was abandoned. Graffiti and the stories of those who visited as teenagers are both abundant.  In 2000 the entrance was bulldozed shut, inconveniencing but not quite barring visitors.  It contains at least one alarmingly deep well so it is fortunate that no tragedies are recorded.

In 2011 the Robber's Cave story resumed, when three guys from the Lincoln Police Department founded The Blue Blood Brewing Company.  They built a new 12,000 square foot brewery near the site of the Pioneer Brewery and incorporating the cave. In fact, the historic entrance to it has been nicely preserved.

This worthy undertaking has not been without a few rough spots.  During construction vandals broke into the cave and stole equipment.  An endangered bat species was encountered.  Local ghost hunters felt the place was haunted, although a medium who spent Halloween there does not seem to have been overly stimulated.

The Blue Blood Brewery still ages some of their product at the opening of the cave, this being similar to what the folks at the Schell's Brewery in New Ulm have done.

A few pictures of Robber's Cave.  If you find yourself in the area I do suggest a pilgrimage. It should be easy to find....it is on Robber's Cave Road!

Note that much of this information is courtesy of Joel Green who is tour guide and official historian of Robber's Cave.  He has a book in the works on the subject so those looking for more information will find it later this spring with the publication of:

"Robber's Cave: Truths, Legends, and Reflections"