CNBC 10 Portland, America's Top 10 Most Haunted Cities.
CNBC 10 Portland, America's Top 10 Most Haunted Cities. Portland, Oregon, holds the tenth spot on CNBC's list of America's Top 10 Most Haunted Cities, as highlighted in a 2010 report. Positioned on the Columbia River and featuring fault lines beneath its surface, Portland provides an ideal setting for supernatural encounters, according to the article.
The city's haunting history is deeply rooted, with tales of the infamous Shanghai Tunnels dating back to the 1800s. These subterranean passages, concealed beneath the city's buildings and streets, were allegedly used to abduct individuals and transport them to Asia as slaves or prostitutes. Legend has it that saloon owners, after intoxicating unsuspecting victims, would send them through secret hatches, never to be seen again. Reports of ghostly occurrences during tours include whistling, mysterious fragrances, and even physical touches.
Among Portland's renowned haunted sites is the White Eagle Café, formerly a brothel, hotel, and boarding house. Employees have recounted eerie experiences such as the scent of smoke in the absence of fire, overwhelming wafts of cheap perfume, and objects seemingly defying gravity. CNBC 10 Portland, America's Top 10 Most Haunted Cities.
The Old Portland Underground, colloquially known as the Shanghai Tunnels, forms a network of passages beneath Portland's Old Town Chinatown and connects to the main business district. Initially constructed to facilitate the movement of goods from docked ships to basement storage, the tunnels have been linked to stories of organized crime and shanghaiing practices, though some historians dispute the more sensational claims.
Nestled near the scenic Willamette River, the McMenamins White Eagle Saloon and Hotel stands as a popular spot for Portlanders. With a century-long history, the saloon has retained its original purpose while evolving into a cafe and hotel. Originally named the B. Soboleski & Company Saloon, it housed industrial supplies before being transformed into a social hub by Polish immigrants William Hryszko and Barney Soboleski. CNBC 10 Portland, America's Top 10 Most Haunted Cities.
Throughout its existence, the White Eagle Saloon faced rumors of illicit activities, including gambling and prostitution, to stay afloat amidst competition. The Hryszko brothers, sole owners after Soboleski's departure, expanded the saloon, fueling speculations of accommodating their clandestine endeavors. Prohibition in 1915 forced a reassessment of business practices, with rumors circulating about an underground tunnel linking the Shanghai tunnels to the White Eagle Saloon for illegal alcohol transportation. CNBC 10 Portland, America's Top 10 Most Haunted Cities.
Post-prohibition, sailors became frequent patrons, allegedly participating in illicit activities and engaging in poker games with hired companions. Dark rumors persisted about men being "Shanghaied" from the saloon through underground tunnels and back to the docks, highlighting the pervasive mysteries surrounding the White Eagle Saloon, even if concrete evidence remains elusive.
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CNBC 10 Portland, America's Top 10 Most Haunted Cities.
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