Keep Portland Weird

5. Shanghai Tunnels

Portland, OR

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They may be part of Portland's shady history or they may be myth, you decide for yourself! The Shanghai Tunnels or the Portland Underground were a series of passageways that connected the basements of hotels and shops throughout Old Town, Portland through brick and stone archways. These types of tunnels were popular in many cities across the United States as goods had to be moved from location to location without getting caught up on crowded streets. However, an alternative use for the Shanghai Tunnels that involves the moving of people through the brick and stone passages is currently debated. Legend states that from 1850-1941 able bodied men who may have found themselves slightly over intoxicated in the bars and hotels above ground were dropped down into the tunnels through trap doors and were held in cells until they were sold to ship captains who would force them to work on their vessels without pay. During this time it is said that Portland was known for this inhumane practice and many choose to stay away from the city because of the danger of getting trapped and sold off to work at sea. Some claim there isn't enough historical evidence to warrant these stories, but others say it is part of the city's history that should be accepted. In addition to this potentially shady history, tours through the Shanghai Tunnels have plenty of ghost stories and mysteries that have gone unsolved. If you want to take a further look at the Tunnels, hear more and potentially even see one of the ghosts of Portland past to ask him or her yourself, tours of the start the decent down into the underground network through Hobo's Restaurant in Old Town.