In the heart of the Pacific Northwest lies a district where cobblestone streets whisper old secrets, centuries-old buildings cast long shadows, and the veil between history and the supernatural feels tantalizingly thin. Welcome to Old Town Portland, Oregon—a place where the echoes of 19th-century pioneers meet the chill of ghostly tales. From early port traders and bustling saloons to shady underground tunnels and inexplicable paranormal encounters, Old Town Portland is a haven for history buffs and ghost hunters alike. Whether you’re here to stroll among iconic landmarks, uncover mysterious happenings, or spend the night searching for spirits, Old Town Portland is rich with stories waiting to be told—and heard.
The History
From Wilderness to Waterfront
What we know today as Old Town Portland began humbly in the 1840s, when the first settlers arrived near the Willamette River. This area, considered one of the oldest parts of Portland, quickly became a busy riverfront hub due to its strategic location along the water. Timber-rich lands and booming trade routes transformed Portland into the Pacific Northwest’s go-to gateway city. In fact, much of Portland’s early prosperity was thanks to its bustling docks, where goods and people flowed by steamboat day and night.
Originally called “The Clearing,” Old Town soon took shape with wooden buildings giving way to more durable brick-faced architecture. The area evolved into the commercial heart of the city, home to general stores, hotels, saloons, and boarding houses. Today, some of these original structures still stand—weathered relics of a past that refuses to be forgotten.
Shanghaiing and the Portland Underground
One of the more notorious chapters in Old Town Portland’s history revolves around the practice of “Shanghaiing.” During the late 1800s and early 1900s, unsuspecting men—usually drifters or drunkards—were kidnapped, drugged, and sold as laborers on merchant ships bound for Asia. How did this dark trade survive for so long in a seemingly sleepy town? The answer lies beneath the streets—in the infamous Portland Underground, more commonly known as the Shanghai Tunnels.
These tunnels once connected the basements of bars, taverns, and hotels to the riverfront, quietly funneling people and goods without public knowledge. Historians suspect that tunnel operators collaborated with corrupt police and sea captains to carry out these abductions, and while many stories remain anecdotal, remnants of holding cells, opium dens, and trapdoors serve as chilling evidence of their activities.
A Melting Pot of Cultures
Old Town Portland has also been a cultural crossroads since its earliest days. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area welcomed waves of immigrants, particularly Chinese laborers who formed what was once one of the largest Chinatowns in the United States west of San Francisco. Though parts of Chinatown remain today, including the ornate Chinatown Gate and the serene Lan Su Chinese Garden, much of the original community was displaced due to urban development and societal pressures.
This cultural diversity brought vibrancy and complexity to the district. The intermingling of traditions, languages, and spiritual beliefs could be felt not only in the shops and restaurants but also in the deep, often mystical, undercurrents of the area—a spiritual energy that continues to hum just beneath the surface.
The Haunt
The Ghosts of the Shanghai Tunnels
For paranormal investigators, the Shanghai Tunnels are the crown jewel of Old Town Portland’s haunted reputation. Over the last few decades, numerous ghost tours and investigations have reported unexplained phenomena deep within the substructure of the city. Visitors have recounted everything from sudden cold spots and phantom voices to the eerie sound of footsteps echoing through the empty passageways.
One of the most famous spirits said to haunt the tunnels is that of “Nina,” believed to have been a young woman caught in a bad deal and murdered in one of the basements connected to the tunnels. Her presence is most frequently felt near a dirt-walled room beneath a former bar where she is thought to have met her tragic end. Investigators have recorded strange electromagnetic readings and even received intelligent responses to questions during EVP (electronic voice phenomena) sessions.
Oregon’s Oldest Haunted Bar: Hobo’s Restaurant & Lounge
Now closed, but still lingering in haunted lore, Hobo’s Restaurant was a beloved local bar located directly above the Shanghai Tunnels. Besides its vintage decor, Hobo’s was known for more than just fine dining and live jazz—it was reportedly haunted. Staff and patrons alike have shared personal encounters with shadowy figures, flickering lights, and sudden temperature drops.
Multiple paranormal teams have conducted investigations here, some capturing photographic anomalies and others feeling the presence of what they described as several “residual hauntings”—energies playing events on a loop rather than interacting directly with the living. The spirits seem tied to both the Shanghai past and the building’s long history of social gatherings and emotional intensity.
White Eagle Saloon & Hotel
Another renowned haunted hotspot is the White Eagle Saloon, a historic bar and inn built in 1905. Located just a few blocks north of the main Old Town square, this establishment was originally a hub for Polish immigrants and has had many incarnations, from brothel to boarding house. Today, it’s operated by McMenamins and lives up to its haunted reputation.
Room 2 is often said to be the most haunted, with guests reporting knocks on the walls, disembodied voices, and even full-bodied apparitions. Phantom piano music has been heard drifting from the saloon long after the band has packed up and gone. Whether it’s the lingering energy of past patrons, heartbroken lovers, or those who never checked out, the White Eagle remains a must-visit for ghost hunters in Portland.
Lan Su Chinese Garden and Spiritual Resonance
While not traditionally haunted, the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Old Town harbors a deep spiritual stillness that draws in empaths and energy workers alike. Built in partnership with Portland’s sister city Suzhou, China, it’s an authentic Ming Dynasty-style garden. Paranormal enthusiasts say that water holds energy and that places like Lan Su, which combine architectural intention, history, and natural elements, often act as amplifiers for psychic impressions.
Some visitors report feeling inexplicably watched or comforted while walking the paths, especially during the twilight hours. Whether it’s residual energy from Portland’s early Chinese community or simply a heightened connection to the spirit realm, the Serenity Pavilion and zig-zagging bridge are favorite meditation spots for those attuned to the unseen.
Conclusion: A Portal to Portland’s Past
Old Town Portland is more than just a collection of beautiful 19th-century buildings and scenic street corners. It’s an active, breathing testament to a time that wasn’t always bright—or benign. For ghost hunters, psychic explorers, and historians with a taste for the eerie, Old Town offers a captivating confluence of verified history and unexplained phenomena.
If you’re planning a supernatural journey, make Old Town Portland your first stop. Take a guided ghost tour through the Shanghai Tunnels, book a ghost-themed stay at the White Eagle Saloon, or simply enjoy a sunset stroll along the shadowy alleyways where history still whispers to those who are willing to listen. You might not just leave with photos—you might leave with a ghost story of your own.