Portland's Shanghai Tunnels

The "Portland Underground" tunnels, more popularly known as the "Shanghai Tunnels", were basements of buildings that connected to other buildings through brick and stone archways that were intersected with tunnels that connected under the streets, linking block to block. These "catacombs" or "tombs", as they were sometimes called, created a unique network of passages and thoroughfares that were used by unscrupulous individuals called "shanghaiiers" or "crimps", in addition to "white slavers" who grabbed women and sold them into prostitution.

When I read this statement on the Cascade Geographic Society's website, it really didn’t phase me all that much. However, it did become an experience I will not soon forget.
Throughout the year, Mike and I plan "activities" for our family to take part in. On April Fools day, we always do something really goofy. We have done a meatloaf cake with mashed potato icing.. Toothpaste oreos..etc. Harvest time we will have a ghost story night, with hot apple cider, homemade gingerbread and roasted pumpkin seeds.. Christmas we do a baking party... "family" secret Santa.. and a ornament night.. The list goes on and on...

Well, I thought since the kids were becoming older, it would be nice that we do something befitting their new age groups. :)
I signed us up for the shanghai tunnel tour....
We arrive a few minutes early, and were eagerly ushered into the back of the room. After a few minutes of waiting we were all taken into this beautiful courtyard. It's rich and secret history could be seen in the massive iron gates, hung not to keep people out, but to keep them in. The infamous elevator shaft was so quiet it was deafening. It made me so uncomfortable I didn’t want to look, but I couldn’t take my eyes from it. We walked for an hour and a half through the catacombs. Each step brought us another discovery. I saw opium dens with bunks stacked to the ceiling. I stood in the same cell prisoners stood awaiting their fate. I stuck my fingers through the bars of the cells, just as they once did. My heart aches for the people who found themselves there. Kidnapped, tortured, abused. You could almost hear the sounds of human suffering.

Unfortunately, I cant explain why I felt so uncomfortable, or why it gives me goose bumps right now. But I can tell you that if you have an opportunity to experience this page of Portland’s history, you should. Portlander's should not forget why this city at one time was called "The Forbidden City"

All in all it was a great time. We learned so much... We got creeped out.. and we all got along for 1.5 hours. Woo-hoo! a new record. :)