Al Capone, unquestionably the most notorious mobster of the Prohibition era, was well documented during his career, along with his hideouts in Chicago, his stint in Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, and his waterfront mansion in Florida.

But there is not even a remote hint that he ever visited the Bayville area, and local historians denounce such claims. So why do many Bayvillians insist he hid out there?

The story goes like this:  The Royal Pines Hotel - now Crystal Lake Healthcare & Rehabilitation - was said to be one of the only, if not the only, hotel between New York and Atlantic City.  Capone took advantage of the area's scantily enforced Prohibition laws and made the building a sort of summer getaway.  It was used for a lot more than vacation, according to the story.

There are several tales of hidden wine cellars either underneath the building or the lake itself.  Stories of tunnels going around and under the lake persist.  A nearby place, known by some as "The Spanish Mansion" (in ruins today), was supposedly used to either dispose of bodies or as a quick escape route, since Cedar Creek runs behind it.  A furnace at the mansion made quick work of the bodies.

Is there any truth to any of this?  Again, there is no evidence suggesting that Capone ever visited the area.  No secret wine cellars or other stashes of hooch have been discovered.

Part of it likely has to do with the several-story Royal Pines building itself.  Compared to everything else in the area, it's a behemoth.  Towering over the pine trees and houses, it's the tallest building around.  The time of its construction coincides with the gangster era as well.  Throw in a nearly-universal loathing of Prohibition and the area's remoteness, and we almost HAVE to think something went down here.

But what about the tunnels?

In front of the main building is a smaller one, right on the lake, which is known as the boat house, though employees have told me it was never used for this purpose.  Underneath this there is indeed a tunnel, although nobody is quite sure just how far it goes, as it’s been sealed.  The top part is now used for storage.

My grand-uncle, curious to solve the Capone mystery, told me that sometime in the 60’s, he and his friends explored this tunnel. But they were soon knee-deep in water and had to turn back.  This tunnel at least gives something tangible to the case.

What about the “Spanish Mansion?”  Its proximity to the Royal Pines Hotel seems to be all it has going for it.  Today, it’s nothing more than a few arched walls.  There is no evidence of a furnace.  Much of the area has been reclaimed by nature.  A smaller foundation can be found just past the mansion.  Past this second foundation, the trail stops abruptly at the creek.  Standing at the water’s edge, it’s easy to imagine crooks fleeing by boat.

For those with the interest, what’s left of the “Mansion” can be found across the street from the Lacey/Berkeley sign on Western Blvd.  A path leads right up to both the ruins and back to Cedar Creek.

So,  did Capone’s mob briefly hide out in the Pines?  Maybe that will never be answered.  There are plenty of tales to suggest they did, and there’s always a wee bit of truth in every story.  There isn’t overwhelming evidence that they were here, but there isn’t anything saying they definitely weren’t either.

Perhaps someday someone will answer that by stumbling upon one of the legendary wine cellars. Did Capone’s mob briefly hide out in the Pines?  Maybe that question will  never be answered.  There are plenty of tales to suggest they did, and there’s always a wee bit of truth in every story.