The History and Hauntings of the Shanghai Tunnels in Portland, Oregon

The history and hauntings of the Shanghai Tunnels has intrigued many individuals. The Shanghai Tunnels are located beneath the popular Oregon town, Portland. For nearly two centuries, stories of illegal and secret practices have been told about the tunnels where apparent shanghaiing took place in the early days of the city. In many instances, Portland has been referred to as the "Forbidden City of the West". Today, not only does the history of the dark tunnels intrigue those who are interested in learning more about the past, but it is said that a large number of hauntings occur within the shadowy tunnels. Here, I will share with you the history and hauntings of the popular Shanghai Tunnels in Portland, Oregon.

Shanghaiing is the process in which various men are captured and retained in an illegal manner. The purpose and intent of this process is to sell the men that are captured in order to develop crews for captains who run boats on the sea. It is said that, starting in the year of 1850, to the year of about 1941, men who were found to be drunk in local Portland hubs and taverns, and even those who were purposely drugged were captured and sold to ship captains that needed men to work on their water vessels while traveling to the Orient. Unfortunately, the men that were obtained in this manner were not paid for the labor that they performed. They were treated more like slaves than anything else.

According to the history of Portland, men were not the only ones that were victims of the apparent Shanghaiing that occurred. There are several accounts in which women were abducted and sold illegally to ships that were in the process of sailing to the Orient. These women were rumored to be prostitutes during the period in which Prohibition was at its peak. It is believed that they were abducted and sold to ships where men wanted housekeeping services, cooking services, and even desired someone for their sexual gratification. Today, it is believed that many of the females who were taken still reside in the Shanghai Tunnels through the means of a spirit that cannot escape the dark shadows.

In the area that is considered to be "Old Town", there are many underground tunnels that run from the bay area to various businesses. The basements of the businesses had access to the tunnels so that they could easily bring in supplies that were shipped by water and delivered. Eventually, a group of individuals started to see the business possibility of the tunnels, and developed the criminal act of Shanghaiing. The individuals who were in on the business scheme would drug the people that they sought to obtain for the ships, or even offer them enough drinks to intoxicate them to the point of passing out. They would then pass these individuals down into the doors in the basement to the tunnels. This is where the history and hauntings of the Shanghai Tunnels started.

Many individuals who were passed down from the secret basement doors in the businesses above the tunnels did not live to see the new ships that they would serve on. It is believed that several people who were dropped down into the tunnels died before waking from their drunk and/or drugged stupor. Today, several people claim that these spirits haunt the tunnels, not realizing where they are, how they got there, or why. It seems, even after life, that the spirit of the person is unable to find their way out of the dark tunnels beneath Portland.

There were places in the Shanghai Tunnels where individuals were imprisoned until they could be sold as slaves to the sea captains that visited the bay area. While many of these individuals woke up from the intoxication that they were initially in, several never made it out of the tunnels alive. Chained to the walls and confined in areas that were designated as holding cells for the victims, many died while waiting for the right price to be offered for their labor. It is believed that about 1500 different people were brought into the tunnels to be sold on an annual basis, but several hundreds would die before ever reaching the ship that they would provide free labor to.

There are several types of unexplained phenomenon that occurs in the tunnels to this day. Many indicate unusual smells, like that of cologne, perfume, and even alcohol. It is believed that these smells reflect from the individuals who died in the tunnels, and still haunt the tunnels today. In some instances, the faint whispers of both males and females have been heard - but no one is present that could be making the noises. Strange lights that resemble that of orbs and rods have been documented by those who have toured the dark, ominous Shanghai Tunnels.

Below the business which is named "Old Town Pizza", there is said to be a female spirit by the name of Nina. During her physical lifetime, it is believed that she offered sexual favors in exchange for cash. One of the people who worked the Shanghai Tunnels decided to capture her and sell her to the ship that offered the largest amount of cash. When she was quickly thrown through one of the secret openings to the tunnels, it is said that the fall resulted in severe complications, which would ultimately result in her death. A full apparition of a female has been located in the tunnels. In addition to this, it has been said that a female spirit seems to try to gather the attention of visitors to the tunnels by simply tugging on their clothing.

Naturally, Nina is not the only spirit that is said to haunt the passageways beneath the city of Portland in Oregon. There are several spirits that seem to be unhappily trapped in the deep, dark tunnels. If you want to learn about the history and hauntings of the Shanghai Tunnels, there are many tours that are guided that can educate you on the matter. If you are interested in experiencing the haunted tunnels for yourself, you can reserve your spot on the next tour by calling 622-4798, area code 503.