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Explore Portland’s infamous history cloaked in myth, superstition and fear. The Portland haunted tunnels lead to an old underground network that has mystified historians and locals alike.
The Old Portland Underground, also known as the Shanghai Tunnels, have long held tall tales of nefarious activities in the mid-1800s to the 1940s. Today, the tunnels lie in wait under the city’s rising skyscrapers and waterfront park, resembling little of the port city of old.
Whether the stories of Portland’s underground are fact or fiction, it has garnered curiosity and intrigue nationwide, and even earned Portland a spot on Conde Nast’s most haunted cities list.
Before we continue, let’s take a moment to recognize the term “Shanghai” is inherently racist. This word is used sparingly in reference to the most commonly associated term on the topic to ensure accurate information is reaching audiences who are curious about this part of the city’s history.
Let’s dive into the history of Portland’s haunted tunnels and how you can take a journey underground.
Portland Haunted Tunnels: Explore the Old Portland Underground
What are the Shanghai Tunnels in Portland?
The Old Portland Underground is a network of passages underneath the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. The tunnels connected the basements of hotels and taverns to the Willamette River waterfront.
These tunnels were built to move items from the ships on the Willamette to basement storage areas. These dark, covert tunnels also lended themselves to the exchange of more illicit goods and serve as an underground den for illegal activities.
Where did the name come from?
Shanghaiing refers to the practice of kidnapping people to serve as sailors through trickery, intimidation or violence. This could happen by giving someone too much liquor and smuggling them against their will aboard a vessel.
This practice flourished in port cities, including San Francisco, Seattle and Portland.
Once unsuspecting people were taken to the tunnels, it was a one way journey onto awaiting ships and out to sea. Once aboard, these involuntary sailors were subjected to work the duration of the ship’s voyage, which was often years.
The name was coined in the 1960s after a series of articles were published in The Oregonian about the underground tunnels and possible illegal activities that were carried out under the city.
Did the Portland underground tunnels serve as a passageway for kidnapping people?
While there is no evidence of this practice in the tunnels, those who visit say they can feel the presence of spirits who were stolen from the light and subject to a seedy underbelly of civilization.
Knowing all the secrets the tunnels hold, it lends itself to the ideal environment for people to go missing.
Aside from being a pathway to docked ships, the tunnels also served as gambling dens, brothels and opium parlors. There’s still evidence of a labyrinth of steel doors and trap doors leading to secret stairways and tunnels for patrons of the illegal establishments to escape into alleyways.
Yet for the skeptics in the audience, there are some other considerations. For instance, the rivers were not controlled by dams at the time. So these tunnels could have been flooded during parts of the year. This makes it less likely that such activities could have taken place in the tunnels.
You can draw your own conclusions on a tour of the tunnels (details below).
Are Portland’s underground tunnels haunted?
Going below street level into the darkness of underground passages is sure to send a shiver up your spine. Yet, do the spirits of unsuspected victims and clever tricksters haunt this place?
Rumor has it, there are a few spirits who call the underground home. One spirit is known for turning off lights and moving items in bar basements. Others are notorious for tugging at a shirt sleeve or brushing up against your hair. Visitors have heard strange noises that sound trapped among the tunnel walls.
At Old Town Brewing, the staff refer to the brewery’s resident ghost, Nina.
Can you tour the Portland’s tunnels?
Yes! At this point in history, many of the tunnels have collapsed and are inaccessible. Yet, you can experience a part of Portland’s underground on the Portland Haunted Tunnels Tour at Old Town Brewing.
Learn about this part of the city’s dark history and hear firsthand accounts of the spirits who haunt the tunnels during the 90-minute tour. Tours are held multiple times a day from Wednesday-Sunday. Minors are allowed during select times.
Tickets are $38 during the month of October and include a special beer tasting and a pint. Book a tour.
Step inside this unique part of Portland’s history and draw your own conclusions about the dark, underground pathways that once connected our city to a network of vessels bound for open water.
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