The Shanghai Tunnels of Portland
In the late 19th century, Portland's waterfront was in its heydey filled with passing ships, prostitutes and workers back from sea temporarily--or so they thought. Apparently a popular practice back then was for ship's captains to pay minions to find a drunk, able-bodied young man at a local bar, drug him, and "shanghai" him which meant sneaking him through a series of underground tunnels that led to the city's waterfront. He was sold, unconscious of course, for slave labor and awoke confused the next day on a slow boat to China where he would likely spend the next three to six years.
The tunnels-known as the Portland Underground-are now open to the public, and tours are available through the Cascade Geographic Society. They do them at night only, and by appointment only so plan ahead. For $12 you get one-and-a-half hours of the tunnel's history and a flashlight walking tour.
If you're not the tour type, hit up the Shanghai Tunnel bar, that's partially underground although has above-ground seating as well. They've got booze, Pan-Asian food and free wi-fi. Just, ah, look out for that trapdoor.....
(thanks, Amy!)
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