Pendleton Underground Tours

Pendleton Underground Tours is a fascinating journey into the hidden past of Pendleton, located in the USA. This is not just a museum, but an entire network of tunnels and rooms beneath Main Street that tell the story of Eastern Oregon's entertainment capital.

Organized by a non-profit organization in 1989, the tour allows visitors to see unique sites: from Hop Sing's Chinese laundry to secret card rooms from the Prohibition era. Special attention is drawn to the famous "Cozy Rooms" — one of many bordellos that once operated in the city — and authentic Chinese immigrant areas with opium dens and a jail.

This site is significant because it reveals the city's "shadow community," where privacy and safety were valued above all. The tunnels connected building basements and were used for storage, trade, and discreet movement, preserving the multifaceted atmosphere of the Wild West.

To plan your visit and book a tour, you can use the following contact details. It is recommended to contact the organizers in advance, as group sizes are limited.

During the tour, you will follow an experienced guide into the mysterious world beneath the sidewalks. One of the most interesting parts of the tour is the opportunity to stand under the prismatic glass embedded in the pavement and see how natural light penetrates the underground. Visitors pass through secret doors into the Prohibition Card Room and inspect the vintage Duck Pin Bowling Alley, fully immersing themselves in the atmosphere of forbidden pastimes.

History buffs will be interested in climbing up to the "Cozy Rooms" — a former bordello where the stories of Madame Stella Darby and her girls come to life. The second part of the tour is dedicated to the lives of Chinese immigrants. You will see living quarters, a primitive jail, and even an opium den, while learning about the invaluable contribution of the Chinese community to the construction of railroads and the development of the American West.

If your trip is planned for mid-May, don't miss the chance to attend the annual "Tours Comes to Life" event. On this day, dozens of actors in period costumes work in the tunnels, recreating scenes from the old town's life with tastings and live interaction. This makes the underground walk not just a sightseeing tour, but a true interactive performance.

The attraction is located in the heart of downtown Pendleton at 31 SW Emigrant Ave. If you are traveling by car, it is most convenient to take the I-84 highway and use the exit toward the city center. Parking areas for visitors are available near the tour starting point.

For those preferring public transport, Umatilla County bus routes serve Pendleton. From the bus stop, the tour office is easily reachable on foot or by taxi. The city is quite compact, so the walk from most local hotels to the underground entrance takes no more than 5–10 minutes.

Travelers arriving from major hubs like Portland (about a 4-hour drive) are recommended to rent a car. It is important to remember that online ticket booking is not available, so you should arrive in the city slightly early to confirm your phone reservation.

The history of the Pendleton tunnels dates back to the 1800s. They were originally created as standard basement storage spaces under buildings in the city center. However, with the construction of sidewalks, entire vaulted passages emerged, connecting the basements into a single network. Local merchants quickly appreciated the advantage of this setup, using the tunnels to safely transport valuable goods away from street crime.

With the onset of Prohibition in Oregon in 1915, the city's underground world took on a new, darker life. The tunnels became ideal routes for the secret transportation of alcohol. Legends even suggest that some passages led directly to the airfield. During this time, other establishments hidden from public view also flourished here, from opium dens in the Chinese quarter to underground casinos.

Interestingly, the tunnels were only "rediscovered" by the general public in the 1970s and 1980s. During road repairs in the city center, sinkholes began to form, revealing the voids beneath the pavement. Instead of simply filling them in, an initiative group formed the Pendleton Underground Tours organization in 1989, which cleared the spaces and transformed them into one of the region's most atmospheric historical museums.

In their heyday, the underground areas were so active that some establishments, such as the Empire Ice Cream Parlor, had special entrances for ladies who wanted to enjoy desserts in the quiet of the basement halls, away from the boisterous cowboys who filled Pendleton's street-level saloons.

A standard underground tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours (90 minutes). This is usually enough time to see the main locations, including the Chinese quarters and former bordellos, while listening to the guide's fascinating stories.

However, when planning your visit, it is better to schedule about 2–2.5 hours. This time will be needed for arriving at the office, confirming your reservation, and browsing the gift shop. If your visit coincides with a special event, such as the annual "Tours Comes to Life" show, you should set aside an entire evening.

Pendleton Underground Tours operates on the following schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Tuesday and Sunday are closed. Tours are conducted year-round, allowing you to plan a visit in any season.

Since working hours may change on holidays or during special events, visitors are strongly encouraged to check for current information on the official website before their trip.

After diving into the history of the underground, it is worth taking time to explore the city's surface attractions. The surrounding area is rich with historical markers and architectural sites that help you fully experience the atmosphere of the Old West.