The Secret Underground of Chinatown in Portland, Oregon

You have probably heard of, or watched 'Shanghai Noon' starring Jackie Chan, and Owen Wilson, or perhaps you have heard the expression about 'Shanghaiing.'

Well, it is believed that the expression we are at least semi-familiar with originated in none other than Portland Oregon. Beginning in the what is referred to as the (you guessed it) 'Shanghai Tunnels' or the 'Forbidden City,' concealed beneath the surface of Chinatown.

These tunnels were quite the elaborate system, made in the basements of connecting buildings, intersecting under streets, connecting from one location with another, supposedly built to move goods to and from ships, waiting at the busy harbor.

As you can probably imagine, it wasn't long until these were put to illegal use, for prostitution and slavery purposes, as well as other illegal activities.

Able bodied, but unwilling, men would be kidnapped and whisked away through the tunnels, to be held in cells until they could be sold to Captains and forced to work on ships for no pay.

In order for these men to be taken without a scene, they were often caught at bars, and they were drugged on top of already being drunk.

There were also trap doors (known as 'deadfalls'), another way to grab the intended victim, risking much less exposure. The trap door would open, and the man would be taken down quickly, and in a much less visible way. tripod

Aside from finding slaves for ships, women would be also be kidnapped and sold into prostitution. Brothels and bars (liquor was illegal during this time) also favored these tunnels, as clients could come and go discreetly.

It was also a sort of safety for these illegal business' providing them with a quick escape, or hide away what would get them into trouble.

If you go to the area, there are several tours available for those willing to pay a fee. Some people are quick to defend their city against the claims of having once been the most dangerous port in the world, stating that these are rumors and haven't in fact been supported.

Others have figures at the ready to ensure curious visitors that this is more fact that fiction, claiming that as many as 1500 people per year where shanghaied here.

In the defense that this is true, one author is said to be releasing a future book containing actual proof that these tunnels did serve the purpose rumored to them. oregon

What we can know for certain is that this is a likeable sort of story that visitors and residents enjoy debating, not only does it serve as a meaty conversation piece, it draws in tourism by the score. Which is a win-win either way.