I can't believe you got in the tunnels! My family lives in williams and I lived there over ten years. I worked for the grand canyon railroad for quite awhile. The tunnels were something everyone knew was there, but no businesses would admit to having access to when I lived there. I know right where you were when they let you in and I know who rebel is. That's about the third story I heard going around williams about the Chinese immigrants and I never heard of a section in the cemetery for them. I have more than a few friends buried there. In the 90's the story was the Chinese built the tunnels to run opium dens out of because a lot of their money was coming from it, there was supposedly a Chinese owned business or two in williams back when, they used to say, and I never heard they weren't allowed to be in the streets. They used to say the immigrants were all buried under a certain church in town, then the motel 6, but I never heard how they died. Never heard a thing about it having anything to do with slavery. I don't know honestly myself. Cool to finally see inside of the tunnels all these years after trying to find them by way of drain tunnels as a teenager.
That's funny, we lived there for 8 years. I worked at gift stores and at the Grand Canyon Railway. We were down in the tunnel you were in and the one that is NOT filled in at the Sultana Bar. The Sultana actually uses it as a storage area for furniture and other things, as the one at the other Bar you went into except they only use it for Alcohol and cases of beer. Next time you go and want more history, write me and I'll let you know what other establishments and owners will help you learn more.
The Chinese immigrants were also held in jail cells in the basement underneath the Palace restaurant in Prescott. The owner is very nice and personable. He is always willing to show the old cells to historians. Today the cells are used as storage space. The employees say it is haunted down there and they often hear and see items fly off the shelves.
I was born and raised in Williams Arizona (1953). That town was my home! I grew up with my husband, then my best friend. His Grandfather ran some of the Chinese Work crews when the train tracks were laid from Williams to Kingman. I was raised with the family who still owns the Sultana Bar. When we were in High School my husband’s grandfather showed us some of the tunnels. There were also places in Valentine Arizona. It was called Crozier Station, and was famous for the one room school house. My son in law is a photojournalist and filmed the house my husband’s grandparents had a little house.
Thank you for that amazing comment! I have had so many people tell me that the tunnels weren't really tunnels and that they weren't built by Chinese railroad workers. It's great to hear from someone who actually has knowledge of what took place there. Good or bad, it's history. And, history should never be erased. ☀️🌵
I grew up in Williams. Still home, both my mother and grandmother live there. I worked at Motel 6 West as a teenager and was told that was built on a Chinese grave yard. A friend of mine said when he was a kid, he saw them dig up the Graves when they built the building. I dont know how factual that is. Working there though that place was haunted and so much paranormal activity occurred while working there to myself and others to where there was no denying the things that occurred. That whole town is haunted. 😂
I believe stuffs definetly haunted but not how people think and i dont think it has anything to do with the chinese graveyard brother tbh its actually worse in reality why all this crap be all haunted and I kean good luck proving any of that spiritual stuff from somone defending from for example an athiest scientifically minded individual. All the hauntings are seriously like this god vs satan thing and satans got these fallen angels who used to be people. These demonic entities in realms among us we cant detect there is no way we will ever because yiu cant build a telescope or something to try to see if theres demons in a realm of the fabric next to us that is meshed in a way we cant detect. So if theoretically such demonic entities exist among us like this, its actually way way worse than simply ghosts trapprd from a dug up chinese graveyard. Stuff he haunted because theres a much larher spiritual battle happening its not
I'm from Jerome AZ. we have Chinese tunnels too, and a long history of Chinese workers, restaurantuer's railroad workers., & miners'. We've heard about Williams forever.
I mean bro usa has a rich history of people of all kinds working here so its no suprise some chinese were cookin food and running opium underground because the irs be crazy and how else you make ends meet in a country so expensive and badly ran by idiots who make such a great country a literal living hell
Flagstaff still has old tunnels under downtown. Those tunnels carried steam lines from a central heating plant used in the late 1800's. I have heard many times that one of the tunnels leads to the basement of the Weatherford Hotel, which was built in that era.
wow! i lived in Williams in the mid 70's and never heard of this. The building i worked in had a closet with a trap door in the floor, but we never opened it and never thought anything about it. I wonder? Now I have to go back!
Great story! I write history and many who have no interest in it are losing out on so much. We have one town in Kansas that has opened up the underground so people can see the history. Many towns and areas are losing out on the draw that history has. History is what it is and there is no sense trying to hide it or judge it. History should be a learning tool. Not a political tool.
As a recently retired old guy, with a new travel trailer and a newer truck, I plan on doing just that. Thank You" The Small Town Tourist". First time viewer and new subscriber. Too bad about gas prices, but I will do the best I can to see what I can. Finding these different things about different places, is part of the adventure. Hopefully I'll see you on down the road !
A plug for Jay Redfeather, I have a signed and framed sketch he did of Sam Elliott as Conagher. My son got it for me in 2015 when we were up in Williams on the family's annual Polar Express ride as a holiday gift. I wish I could post a picture of it, he really is a great artist And captured Sam very wel. I am glad you got to talk to him and happy to see he is feeling better too! Thank you for such an interesting story!!.
I love your persistent to find someone with knowledge to the tunnels. I’ve been to Willams many times and did not know this history. Great detective work. People like to talk I find. Just found your channel and I have subscribed. I love history and road trips and channel is right up my alley.
@@stevenkaskus6173 being a plumber myself... not saying this is a story or anything.... but they look more like just crawl spaces for the electrical and plumbing. as well as just an underground cellar. remember they didn't have a fridge back then.
Me too! I grew up in Williams and knew the owners firsthand. The restaurant attached to the Canyon Club was called The El Sombrero. Best Mexican food ever!!!
I was raised and reside here and as a 20 year old not once have any of my employers coworkers or neighbors talked about it. At school we used to joke about it but this is so cool thank you for coming into our town and exploring
Old town Sacramento Ca has an entire city still under it. Its amazing down there, as a former parks worker I spent a lot of time researching them. Very cool
@@smalltowntourist not most. I was born and raised there,and unlike most I have a huge interest in history. Most people forget their own town has history, I on the other hand asked a ton of questions as a kid to anyone I met that was older than myself. There has been a documentary or two done on it though. There are actual brick storefronts down there still, a lot of the businesses have 'basements' for storage. The basements are actually the original stores, banks, etc. Sacramento has incredible history. I'm actually thinking about doing a few Doc videos on it. Just found your channel, but I enjoy it. Subscribed and I'll look forward to more
@@GratefulOverlander I encourage you to make those videos and keep our history alive. I appreciate the kind comments and I'm looking forward to making more videos. Stay tuned, I'm currently planning a video on a fascinating story that took place in Southern Arizona. 👍
Why does america have a fascination of burying history as if it didn’t exist. Why is it that people like you control all this knowledge and dont share it with others. Does it make you feel powerful to them come on youtube and gloat about the knowledge you keep from others?
Cool story. Even though Lake Tahoe lake is cold it's not frozen and the tissue of the bodies would fall off because of the water and fish would destroy the tissue also. I do believe that the government would do something like this though
Remember Jacques Cousteau exploring lake Tahoe. And never heard the story ever from anywhere about what you told in this video about the Chinese RR WORKERS.
I agree. I lived in Needles CA for a few years there was an open " cistern" in my backyard that had beautiful glass blovks and tile work 🤔🧐. The house I rented seemed to me to have once been a neighborhood market. After seeing another house in town on a popular ghost hunting show where they admitted to " sealed"access to prohibition tunnels., I couldn't stop thinking my house 1.5 blocks from The trains may have been a storefront with a speakeasy in the back or a front for box deliveries. After I told a few people my thoughts I went out back and found the cistern had been filled in!... No one will talk much about it in Needles CA either. Maybe you can get the stories😊. Thank you for this one.
I live 40 minutes south of Williams, been there many times, never heard of the tunnels. I will look at Williams in a new light next time I'm up there. Thank you
I've been there before but had no idea that these tunnels and this history existed. Thank you so much for this video.Very informative.I thoroughly enjoyed it thank you.
I think there is a tunnel at the visitor center too! Once you enter the visitor center, the walkway going towards the museum, there is a hatch that you can pull open
My husbands family the Curry’s have been in Williams since the early 20s. Grandpa said the Chinese were works on the railroad. He never mentioned anything about tunnels or opium. My husband mention he has done concrete work all around Williams and the hotel to the west the floor caved in and there was underground water.
The city has filled in the majority of the tunnels. There are some still in existence. I was told one of the bars was doing some repair work inside the tunnels and uncovered hundreds of opium bottles. Who really knows for sure, but the stories are fascinating for sure 🙂👍
Kingman AZ also has underground quarters that were used by the Chinese railroad workers way back I believe in the late 1800s . They are under the sidewalk on the east side of forth street by hwy 66 . There are a series of small glass squares in the sidewalk that allows light down to the underground rooms .
the old Central Commercial building on fourth street downtown kingman. definently connects with a tunnel(s). i haven't been in the building or basement yet to see for myself.
I've lived in Metro Phoenix for 45 years, my sister lives in Flagstaff and... I've driven through Williams a bunch of times but, I've never stopped in town. I gotta do that! Been all over the state and love day trips up north, especially in Summer. Prescott is so close, we drive up just for Dinner or a day or walking Downtown or hitting the lakes. When go up just to fly RC planes for the day. Sedona is always a great day trip to cool off and enjoy the beauty. Jerome is another favorite. Funky little mountain town. Love taking friends from outta town up to Flagstaff, shoot up to the Canyon and then stay the night in Flagstaff. Then, the next day, take the back way down to Sedona via the 87, down the rim and into Oak Creek Canyon. Then, over to Jerome, down through Chino Valley into Prescott and...if time allows, take the back way through Yarnell and Wickenburg. Long day but... So much beauty on the ride and sites to see. Now, gonna have to check out Williams. Have wanted to take the Train to the Canyon. Hear it's a beautiful ride. I do love my state. So much beauty. Great day trips or weekend trips.
The Grand Canyon Railway is worth every penny. A hack I discovered is to buy the least expensive ticket and move to the diner car after it opens (30 minutes or so after departure). There, they have booths to sit in so you and your family or friends can sit together and talk face to face while enjoying and Sarsaparilla float 😉 ☀️🌵
I used to live just north of Williams at Red Lake. I absolutely loved it! I highly recommend visiting Williams for their Christmas parade and Tree Lighting.
Most of people who live in Williams are younger and things are not been passed on to them so I don’t necessarily think they’re trying to hide anything. They just really don’t know.
@FlyerPatty29 I hope that's the case, however, I really got the feeling that some of the towns history is less than flattering and many seem to want to let it die. ☀️🌵
Most of the old west towns that had Chinese in town...(many next to the rail lines), had these tunnels. The Chinese would do laundry , maid, brothel and manual labor services. However they where not welcome on the streets, so they where told to build tunnels so they could move about to service the downtown areas. We have them here in Prescott as well.
Wow - Great Video! I’ve lived in Arizona most of my life and never heard this before. Seems like there were a lot of Chinese immigrants in Arizona at the time. I recently learned they were working in the Dragoon Mountain’s as well. Steve
I'm a local, I know about the tunnels. Go talk to Jason at the Sultana.. it's not that we aren't allowed to talk about it, alot of us just haven't seen them or know the true history. Hi Rebel!
Looks like a crawl space for utilities when the buildings were built. Common for construction in areas with rocky soil. No doubt they connected adjacent buildings with some digging and then used for a variety of clandestine purposes.
After exploring the tunnels, I was able to find some articles that support the idea that the tunnels were used for opium dens. I can't find anything stating the Chinese railroad workers built the tunnels but that is the common belief held by the locals. ☀️🌵
Perhaps one day I'll take some time to do a major deep dive into the tunnels' history. I'm getting more inspired every day! Thank you for checking out my channel and taking the time to post your comment 😎☀️🌵
Grew up in Northern Arizona and drove through Williams many times on the way to Los Angeles. We had to exit at Williams because I-40 completion was blocked by the town. Sadly my memories of the town were a “leave your money but move along.” It makes sense these tunnels were there and fits in with my general assessment of the vibe there. One of my relatives casually referred to Williams being gentrified to a Williams native and the guy tried to have him fired. Just stories but am glad they finally bypassed the town in 1984.
I do really love Williams and met a lot of good people there. They do a great job bringing in the tourists but the locals seem to be welcoming. At least that was the majority of my experiences there. 😎☀️🌵
What an amasing find, would've made the visit so much more interesting. Am blown away that it isn't talked about, or developed in the town. Such an I interesting clip thank you
It's a shame that the big cities in Arizona do not cherish their history. They want to be all brand new. So sad. Love the tunnels, guess they can't update them. Thank You for showing us! Subscribed.
Yes, I agree. Our history is something that should be taught and kept alive so the younger generations can understand it and learn from it. Hiding it doesn't do anyone any good. 😉👍☀️🌵
@ Small Town Tourist When I visited a mining ghost town in Idaho, I was told that the Chinese took their relatives remains, dug them up and reburied them elsewhere. I think in family plots. I got my info from Custer, Idaho ghost town. They had Chinese immigrants working the mines in the area.
Still waiting for your Prescott video and the tunnels under Whiskey Row. You have to talk to the old timers here, tho. Most the young people don’t know about the tunnels unless they worked in the bars or hotel. I was told 23 years ago that the Chinese people weren’t allowed on the street and used the tunnels to travel back and forth with goods, from their area of town to the row. Also heard of “citizens” using them for nefarious business that they didn’t want everyone to know about. You might try Sharlot Hall Museum for info, too. It’s just down the street.
@Small Town Tourist You should see what you can find out about Gleed Station. It doesn't really exist anymore but the Chinese R/R workers also have a cemetery out by that old location. Gleed Station was out west of Ashfork.
@@NetscapeSato I'm a good sport and respect great humor and comedy. Your post was comedy GOLD 🏅. Thanks for stopping by my channel and leaving an amazing comment 😉☀️🌵
There is an article published in the Williams news, sometime in the 90's about a Chinese graveyard uncovered during some construction of motel 6 on route 66. I never heard anything of it after that until this post. I've been wanting to research some of the history on the Chinese graves and workers myself.
That's very interesting. I had someone tell me it was under a grocery store but I couldn't find anything on it. I'll look into the Motel 6 story. The history of the Chinese railroad workers is fascinating and horrifying. I'd encourage you to definitely research this, it's a story that needs to be told. Thank you for your comment ☀️🌵
I've been unsuccessful at trying to find the article but if you ever get the chance to look up building records at the Williams library maybe there would be some info if not from the business. But this is a piece of missing history Id love to hear more about.
@@smalltowntourist coming into Chico from Orville on highway 70 there’s rock stacked walls that go for miles in the middle of fields that the Chinese built and I heard of people finding old pipes and artifacts in them.
I live near Niagara Falls in Canada and I'm fairly sure that you will find these types of tunnels all over the North American continent, if you look for them. I know there are tunnels underneath the towns, in many areas around here. Fort Erie has tunnels, as do Niagara Falls (the city), Niagara on the Lake and Port Colborne as well. People do not realize that many of the battles in the war of 1812 were fought in this area. Toronto also has many areas of underground tunnels as well. Many large cities in the States also have tunnels underneath them, so they're all over the place.🙂👍🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
This experience definitely opened my eyes. Thank you for the kind comment. BTW, I've been to both the falls and Toronto. Both are wonderful places to visit. 😎☀️🌵
You won't be disappointed! Arizona small towns have so much to offer and the people are amazing. Some of the best restaurants in the state can be found in the small towns. Have fun on your excursions 😎☀️🌵
I'm heading up to Williams today since its the closest town to me with a super market and a Mexican food drive through. to my property 45 mins away.. This was an interesting find on you tube . thanks for the video
The locals try to keep them a secret. I imagine people want to see them for themselves, and it could get annoying after a while. I took me an entire day to finally find someone who was willing to give me access. 😉☀️🌵
I liked the part where you said “Jaq ClueStow”…..Lmao…. Aka Jacques Cousteau. I’m sure the Locals are really going to be very loving when you come back.
Moosejaw, Saskatchewan has Chinese tunnels too, some famous US criminal (Al Capone?) escaped there. We own 6 " deep soil, not 60 feet, so putting gravel in the tunnels would be wrong, blocking entrance from building would be ok. The Chinese deceased were largely repatriated from N America back to China decades ago. Seattle had/has had underground city tours from a bar in Pioneer Square, the reason for their tunnels were to build the oceanfront up so sewage would come in with the tide. There are tunnels all over the world for even more nefarious reasons.
Great story is fascinating how people like to put that kind of history behind, is very interesting story, thank you, Have you visit Pie Town in New Mexico!!!
@c.alcazar2584 I have been to Pie Town! It was before I started my channel though. Maybe I should go back? It's not far from Springerville, AZ which is one of the small towns I plan to visit soon 😎☀️🌵
@@smalltowntourist Rumor is there may be a sealed off prison under Williams similar to Park City Utah. Rumor is also that there are still bodies buried down there. Like both cities, the miners were wild drunks and gamblers and very rowdy bunches.
I am trying to plan a trip to Montana next year (no promises) in hopes to tour some of their small towns. Livingston is definitely one of the towns I hope to visit. When I'm there, I'll definitely do everything I can to see their tunnels! 😉☀️🌵
My husband and I used to drive up to Willam’s once a year. Knew about the “Red Garter,” place and reputation, but this is the first time I ever heard about the tunnels. Thank you for sharing this fun fact, well kinda sad that the Asian people were forced (??) do do the work and build the RR.
Thanks for checking out my channel! The Chinese weren't "forced" but they definitely were treated very poorly compared to other workers. We owe them a lot of gratitude for what they accomplished. 😎☀️🌵
Pretty much every old railroad town out west. My job took me into a bunch of them around here. As your video showed, they're sealed off, repurposed and modernized as basements.
I wish I could have experienced the tunnels before they were filled in. I imagine they would have been even more fascinating to walk through. Thanks for your comment 👍☀️🌵
Out towards bearizona at the actual railroad tracks, there are two tunnel entrances that seem to boarded up...just holes on the side of hill the tracks are on...they go back towards the town just into the actual hill
They are 30 feet or so down and go pretty far back. I wish I would have had a better / brighter light so my viewers could see that they were clearly made by hand and picks.
The downtown area of Kingman has a bunch of Chinese houses still. The cabinets and countertops are super low. There are tunnels all over here. This used to be a huge WW2 base and the government built even more tunnels.
@@smalltowntourist yeah come check it out. The High School downtown was also built atop of a Chinese graveyard and the Ghost Hunters were here as the high school is supposedly haunted.
I can't believe you got in the tunnels! My family lives in williams and I lived there over ten years. I worked for the grand canyon railroad for quite awhile. The tunnels were something everyone knew was there, but no businesses would admit to having access to when I lived there. I know right where you were when they let you in and I know who rebel is. That's about the third story I heard going around williams about the Chinese immigrants and I never heard of a section in the cemetery for them. I have more than a few friends buried there. In the 90's the story was the Chinese built the tunnels to run opium dens out of because a lot of their money was coming from it, there was supposedly a Chinese owned business or two in williams back when, they used to say, and I never heard they weren't allowed to be in the streets. They used to say the immigrants were all buried under a certain church in town, then the motel 6, but I never heard how they died. Never heard a thing about it having anything to do with slavery. I don't know honestly myself. Cool to finally see inside of the tunnels all these years after trying to find them by way of drain tunnels as a teenager.
Going inside the tunnels was like going back in time. An unbelievable experience! Thank you for the fantastic comment!
That's funny, we lived there for 8 years. I worked at gift stores and at the Grand Canyon Railway. We were down in the tunnel you were in and the one that is NOT filled in at the Sultana Bar. The Sultana actually uses it as a storage area for furniture and other things, as the one at the other Bar you went into except they only use it for Alcohol and cases of beer. Next time you go and want more history, write me and I'll let you know what other establishments and owners will help you learn more.
@@HawksVideos27 I'll definitely take you up on that 😎☀️🌵
Chino valley is from Chinese. Natives and Chinese worked the mines.
The Chinese immigrants were also held in jail cells in the basement underneath the Palace restaurant in Prescott. The owner is very nice and personable. He is always willing to show the old cells to historians. Today the cells are used as storage space. The employees say it is haunted down there and they often hear and see items fly off the shelves.
I've always gotten my best town history stories visiting local senior living centers. Food for thought.
I was born and raised in Williams Arizona (1953). That town was my home! I grew up with my husband, then my best friend. His Grandfather ran some of the Chinese Work crews when the train tracks were laid from Williams to Kingman. I was raised with the family who still owns the Sultana Bar. When we were in High School my husband’s grandfather showed us some of the tunnels. There were also places in Valentine Arizona. It was called Crozier Station, and was famous for the one room school house. My son in law is a photojournalist and filmed the house my husband’s grandparents had a little house.
Thank you for that amazing comment! I have had so many people tell me that the tunnels weren't really tunnels and that they weren't built by Chinese railroad workers. It's great to hear from someone who actually has knowledge of what took place there. Good or bad, it's history. And, history should never be erased. ☀️🌵
You will find /he same situation in Prescott. Tunnels under Whiskey Row and over to the Courthouse. Chinese cemetery is out by the airport
Prescott is on my short list for upcoming videos. Stay tuned 😎☀️🌵
Wouldnlove to see a video on Chino Valley as well@smalltowntourist
I grew up in Williams. Still home, both my mother and grandmother live there. I worked at Motel 6 West as a teenager and was told that was built on a Chinese grave yard. A friend of mine said when he was a kid, he saw them dig up the Graves when they built the building. I dont know how factual that is. Working there though that place was haunted and so much paranormal activity occurred while working there to myself and others to where there was no denying the things that occurred. That whole town is haunted. 😂
I looked for the Chinese graveyard and couldn't find it. It wouldn't surprise me if that story is true as sad as it is.
Very interesting being native of AZ. Cool wow n awesome history.
Did any guests of the hotel complain of paranormal activity?
I believe stuffs definetly haunted but not how people think and i dont think it has anything to do with the chinese graveyard brother tbh its actually worse in reality why all this crap be all haunted and I kean good luck proving any of that spiritual stuff from somone defending from for example an athiest scientifically minded individual. All the hauntings are seriously like this god vs satan thing and satans got these fallen angels who used to be people. These demonic entities in realms among us we cant detect there is no way we will ever because yiu cant build a telescope or something to try to see if theres demons in a realm of the fabric next to us that is meshed in a way we cant detect. So if theoretically such demonic entities exist among us like this, its actually way way worse than simply ghosts trapprd from a dug up chinese graveyard. Stuff he haunted because theres a much larher spiritual battle happening its not
I'm from Jerome AZ. we have Chinese tunnels too, and a long history of Chinese workers, restaurantuer's railroad workers., & miners'. We've heard about Williams forever.
Deadwood, SD same thing.
Makes me think they have tunnels from one state to another or at least city to city tunnels
I mean bro usa has a rich history of people of all kinds working here so its no suprise some chinese were cookin food and running opium underground because the irs be crazy and how else you make ends meet in a country so expensive and badly ran by idiots who make such a great country a literal living hell
Flagstaff still has old tunnels under downtown. Those tunnels carried steam lines from a central heating plant used in the late 1800's. I have heard many times that one of the tunnels leads to the basement of the Weatherford Hotel, which was built in that era.
That's fascinating information! Thank you 👍☀️🌵
Steam tunnels under nau sidewalks to keep them frostless
wow! i lived in Williams in the mid 70's and never heard of this. The building i worked in had a closet with a trap door in the floor, but we never opened it and never thought anything about it. I wonder? Now I have to go back!
They wouldn't have been filled in back then, how awesome would have been to see these tunnels in their original state?! Thanks for the comment 👍
I could never resist a trap door.
Great story! I write history and many who have no interest in it are losing out on so much. We have one town in Kansas that has opened up the underground so people can see the history. Many towns and areas are losing out on the draw that history has. History is what it is and there is no sense trying to hide it or judge it. History should be a learning tool. Not a political tool.
Great comment! I agree with your comments 100% - thanks ☀️🌵
As a recently retired old guy, with a new travel trailer and a newer truck, I plan on doing just that. Thank You" The Small Town Tourist". First time viewer and new subscriber. Too bad about gas prices, but I will do the best I can to see what I can. Finding these different things about different places, is part of the adventure. Hopefully I'll see you on down the road !
Travel safe and hopefully those pesky gas prices will come down soon! Thank you for the kind comment ☀🌵
A plug for Jay Redfeather, I have a signed and framed sketch he did of Sam Elliott as Conagher. My son got it for me in 2015 when we were up in Williams on the family's annual Polar Express ride as a holiday gift. I wish I could post a picture of it, he really is a great artist And captured Sam very wel. I am glad you got to talk to him and happy to see he is feeling better too! Thank you for such an interesting story!!.
He's a very interesting and talented man, thank you for the great comment!
I love your persistent to find someone with knowledge to the tunnels. I’ve been to Willams many times and did not know this history. Great detective work. People like to talk I find. Just found your channel and I have subscribed. I love history and road trips and channel is right up my alley.
Thank you for your genuinely kind comment! More videos to come so stay tuned 😎☀️🌵
I THINK SOMEBODY COULD MAKE AN EXCELLENT BUSINESS RUNNING TOURS THROUGH THOSE TUNNELS
💯
They aren't safe and there is materials and dust down there. That could really hurt you. That's the problem is they're not maintained.
I am sure plumbers and electricians know about those tunnels.
I would imagine they do. ☀️🌵
One shot he had shows all the plumbing pipes down there
I’m sure Harriet Tubman knows more.
@@FearEeatsTheSoulnice try.
@@stevenkaskus6173 being a plumber myself... not saying this is a story or anything.... but they look more like just crawl spaces for the electrical and plumbing. as well as just an underground cellar. remember they didn't have a fridge back then.
I love the Canyon Club in Williams ❤
It's definitely my go-to bar when in Williams ☀️🌵
Me too! I grew up in Williams and knew the owners firsthand. The restaurant attached to the Canyon Club was called The El Sombrero. Best Mexican food ever!!!
I was raised and reside here and as a 20 year old not once have any of my employers coworkers or neighbors talked about it. At school we used to joke about it but this is so cool thank you for coming into our town and exploring
Williams is a great town! Thanks for commenting ☀️🌵
I'm more shocked by the price of the chicken club sandwich & salad than about the existence of secret tunnels! 😂
Valid point! 😎☀️🌵
What's more shocking is someone *paying* $26 for a chicken club sandwich & salad, then admitting to it.
@@adamantiumbullet9215 I prefer being truthful over lying. 😉☀️🌵
@@smalltowntourist
Be honest. The sandwich and salad was really $25.99, wasn't it?
RIGHT?!?!
Flagstaff local here. Tunnels under our streets too. Pretty common from what i hear
Love Arizona ! I’m a native and never heard about this . We all need to respect our history and learn from it . God bless
Absolutely! 😎☀️🌵
There are tunnels under every city in America.
human trafficking and slavery and drugs have been around a long time
Old town Sacramento Ca has an entire city still under it.
Its amazing down there, as a former parks worker I spent a lot of time researching them. Very cool
That's fascinating! Is this well known to locals?
@@smalltowntourist not most. I was born and raised there,and unlike most I have a huge interest in history. Most people forget their own town has history, I on the other hand asked a ton of questions as a kid to anyone I met that was older than myself.
There has been a documentary or two done on it though.
There are actual brick storefronts down there still, a lot of the businesses have 'basements' for storage. The basements are actually the original stores, banks, etc.
Sacramento has incredible history. I'm actually thinking about doing a few Doc videos on it.
Just found your channel, but I enjoy it. Subscribed and I'll look forward to more
@@GratefulOverlander I encourage you to make those videos and keep our history alive. I appreciate the kind comments and I'm looking forward to making more videos. Stay tuned, I'm currently planning a video on a fascinating story that took place in Southern Arizona. 👍
Why does america have a fascination of burying history as if it didn’t exist. Why is it that people like you control all this knowledge and dont share it with others. Does it make you feel powerful to them come on youtube and gloat about the knowledge you keep from others?
Mind you all of this gives credence to an ancient flood theory the has buried many cities across the usa. NY, chicago, just to name others.
Cool story. Even though Lake Tahoe lake is cold it's not frozen and the tissue of the bodies would fall off because of the water and fish would destroy the tissue also. I do believe that the government would do something like this though
Exactly, look at all the people that went down in the Cold water of the North Atlantic Ocean when the Titanic went down, no bodies survived
Remember Jacques Cousteau exploring lake Tahoe. And never heard the story ever from anywhere about what you told in this video about the Chinese RR WORKERS.
It's definitely a disputed topic. Thanks for tuning in to my channel 😎☀️🌵
This is where I live, and Rebel is a very dear friend of mine... I also know Jay Redfeather..... good people here...
I agree 💯!!
You, sir, are a good example of looking the part, as far as people trusting you. Good people respect also. Namaste
I appreciate that! 😎☀️🌵
I agree. I lived in Needles CA for a few years there was an open " cistern" in my backyard that had beautiful glass blovks and tile work 🤔🧐. The house I rented seemed to me to have once been a neighborhood market. After seeing another house in town on a popular ghost hunting show where they admitted to " sealed"access to prohibition tunnels., I couldn't stop thinking my house 1.5 blocks from The trains may have been a storefront with a speakeasy in the back or a front for box deliveries. After I told a few people my thoughts I went out back and found the cistern had been filled in!... No one will talk much about it in Needles CA either. Maybe you can get the stories😊. Thank you for this one.
@@luraevermillion6918 We just had dinner at the Riverfront Cafe & Bar on the beautiful Colorado River in Needles, CA
Yummy 🤙🏽🏖️❤️💃🏻
They dug them in Prescott too under Whiskey row
The Prescott tunnels are on my list to explore, fingers crossed! Thank you for your comment 👍☀️🌵
I live 40 minutes south of Williams, been there many times, never heard of the tunnels. I will look at Williams in a new light next time I'm up there. Thank you
It's fascinating history 👍☀️🌵
I've been there before but had no idea that these tunnels and this history existed. Thank you so much for this video.Very informative.I thoroughly enjoyed it thank you.
Thank YOU for checking out my channel and taking the time to post your comment 😎☀️🌵
I think there is a tunnel at the visitor center too! Once you enter the visitor center, the walkway going towards the museum, there is a hatch that you can pull open
The people I spoke to acted as if they didn't know anything about them.
When I was younger they would do tours of the Chinese tunnels in deadwood SD
You know, I was just in Deadwood in May. Had I known! Next time, I'll be sure to check them out if it's still possible. Thank you for the comment 😎☀️🌵
From the look on the fry cook's face there are 20 families living under there!
Lol ☀️🌵
dude... this country is in a rough time. places usualyl show these types of things as tourism. makes ya wonder for sure....
My husbands family the Curry’s have been in Williams since the early 20s. Grandpa said the Chinese were works on the railroad. He never mentioned anything about tunnels or opium. My husband mention he has done concrete work all around Williams and the hotel to the west the floor caved in and there was underground water.
The city has filled in the majority of the tunnels. There are some still in existence. I was told one of the bars was doing some repair work inside the tunnels and uncovered hundreds of opium bottles. Who really knows for sure, but the stories are fascinating for sure 🙂👍
Kingman AZ also has underground quarters that were used by the Chinese railroad workers way back I believe in the late 1800s . They are under the sidewalk on the east side of forth street by hwy 66 . There are a series of small glass squares in the sidewalk that allows light down to the underground rooms .
Also, almost all of the old official buildings in Kingman, AZ have bomb
shelters, possibly tunnels under
ground.
@@DeborahReinke Have not heard about those shelters .
Neither have I. Very interesting information.
the old Central Commercial building on fourth street downtown kingman. definently connects with a tunnel(s). i haven't been in the building or basement yet to see for myself.
@@stevetwitchell8329 Yep just north of EL Placio on 4th st. Also they have a best Margaritas in the world !……
Ah, the fringe, and my people. Time will reveal all hidden secrets. Gotta ❤ it! Namaste
I've lived in Metro Phoenix for 45 years, my sister lives in Flagstaff and... I've driven through Williams a bunch of times but, I've never stopped in town. I gotta do that! Been all over the state and love day trips up north, especially in Summer. Prescott is so close, we drive up just for Dinner or a day or walking Downtown or hitting the lakes. When go up just to fly RC planes for the day. Sedona is always a great day trip to cool off and enjoy the beauty. Jerome is another favorite. Funky little mountain town.
Love taking friends from outta town up to Flagstaff, shoot up to the Canyon and then stay the night in Flagstaff. Then, the next day, take the back way down to Sedona via the 87, down the rim and into Oak Creek Canyon. Then, over to Jerome, down through Chino Valley into Prescott and...if time allows, take the back way through Yarnell and Wickenburg. Long day but... So much beauty on the ride and sites to see.
Now, gonna have to check out Williams. Have wanted to take the Train to the Canyon. Hear it's a beautiful ride.
I do love my state. So much beauty. Great day trips or weekend trips.
The Grand Canyon Railway is worth every penny. A hack I discovered is to buy the least expensive ticket and move to the diner car after it opens (30 minutes or so after departure). There, they have booths to sit in so you and your family or friends can sit together and talk face to face while enjoying and Sarsaparilla float 😉 ☀️🌵
Really great video. I found this sooo interesting
@@shea5542 thanks for stopping by and taking the time to post such an encouraging comment! 😎☀️🌵
This is really cool, John.
Thanks brother! I had a blast making this video ☀️🌵
Zoomed out from my house😳
Lol, my bad. 😎☀️🌵
I used to live just north of Williams at Red Lake. I absolutely loved it! I highly recommend visiting Williams for their Christmas parade and Tree Lighting.
I've been to Prescott for their lighting, I just may check out Williams this year 👍☀️🌵
Most of people who live in Williams are younger and things are not been passed on to them so I don’t necessarily think they’re trying to hide anything. They just really don’t know.
@FlyerPatty29 I hope that's the case, however, I really got the feeling that some of the towns history is less than flattering and many seem to want to let it die. ☀️🌵
Most of the old west towns that had Chinese in town...(many next to the rail lines), had these tunnels. The Chinese would do laundry , maid, brothel and manual labor services. However they where not welcome on the streets, so they where told to build tunnels so they could move about to service the downtown areas. We have them here in Prescott as well.
Prescott is on my shortlist of AZ towns to visit. Hopefully sooner than later! 😎☀️🌵
Wow - Great Video! I’ve lived in Arizona most of my life and never heard this before. Seems like there were a lot of Chinese immigrants in Arizona at the time. I recently learned they were working in the Dragoon Mountain’s as well. Steve
It's amazing how the tunnels have been kept rather quiet. Thanks for the great comment 👍 ☀️🌵
I'm a local, I know about the tunnels. Go talk to Jason at the Sultana.. it's not that we aren't allowed to talk about it, alot of us just haven't seen them or know the true history. Hi Rebel!
I tried but I think the camera and RUclips channel was something they didn't care for. 🤷♂️☀️🌵
Looks like a crawl space for utilities when the buildings were built. Common for construction in areas with rocky soil. No doubt they connected adjacent buildings with some digging and then used for a variety of clandestine purposes.
After exploring the tunnels, I was able to find some articles that support the idea that the tunnels were used for opium dens. I can't find anything stating the Chinese railroad workers built the tunnels but that is the common belief held by the locals. ☀️🌵
Thank you for sharing. I learned something new today.
Great research, just like archeology the story gets darker the deeper you dig. 😮
Perhaps one day I'll take some time to do a major deep dive into the tunnels' history. I'm getting more inspired every day! Thank you for checking out my channel and taking the time to post your comment 😎☀️🌵
Grew up in Northern Arizona and drove through Williams many times on the way to Los Angeles. We had to exit at Williams because I-40 completion was blocked by the town. Sadly my memories of the town were a “leave your money but move along.” It makes sense these tunnels were there and fits in with my general assessment of the vibe there. One of my relatives casually referred to Williams being gentrified to a Williams native and the guy tried to have him fired. Just stories but am glad they finally bypassed the town in 1984.
I do really love Williams and met a lot of good people there. They do a great job bringing in the tourists but the locals seem to be welcoming. At least that was the majority of my experiences there. 😎☀️🌵
@@smalltowntourist Sounds like his experience is from long before you ever though to go to Williams.
I remember going to Williams and taking the train to the Grand Canyon as a Boy Scout.
Williams is definitely in my Top 3 for AZ small towns 👍☀️🌵
What an amasing find, would've made the visit so much more interesting. Am blown away that it isn't talked about, or developed in the town.
Such an I interesting clip thank you
Thanks you for checking out my channel and taking the time to leave a kind comment 😉☀️🌵
It's a shame that the big cities in Arizona do not cherish their history. They want to be all brand new. So sad. Love the tunnels, guess they can't update them. Thank You for showing us! Subscribed.
Yes, I agree. Our history is something that should be taught and kept alive so the younger generations can understand it and learn from it. Hiding it doesn't do anyone any good. 😉👍☀️🌵
@@smalltowntourist ♥
I went this past weekend. Loved the town.
It's a spectacular small Arizona town 👍☀🌵
Good video! I have a little insight on the tunnels at the Grand Canyon if you are willing to chat.
@@JNOBODYOFFICIAL I'd be willing 👍
The Williams Holiday Inn had the worst bed I ever slept on!
Oh no! Nothing worse than a bad mattress ☀️🌵
It still does!
@@gclemens They don’t care.It’s just tourist that will come back! Now the Holiday Inn in Grand Canyon village was a newer one and had great beds
@ Small Town Tourist When I visited a mining ghost town in Idaho, I was told that the Chinese took their relatives remains, dug them up and reburied them elsewhere. I think in family plots.
I got my info from Custer, Idaho ghost town. They had Chinese immigrants working the mines in the area.
Wow! Very interesting. 😎☀️🌵
Oldtown Cottonwood AZ
The Copper store has a portion open for viewing at the back of the store.
Those ABS pipes are definitely new
Awesome sauce! Great folks up in that area.
Good people for sure! 😎☀️🌵
13:31 Led like a lamb to slaughter. 😂 ... Well, it always looks like it anyway. Good job presenting this "Oh, My God" information. Namaste
Thank you, I enjoyed the video.
Thanks for checking out my channel 😎 ☀️ 🌵
Still waiting for your Prescott video and the tunnels under Whiskey Row. You have to talk to the old timers here, tho. Most the young people don’t know about the tunnels unless they worked in the bars or hotel. I was told 23 years ago that the Chinese people weren’t allowed on the street and used the tunnels to travel back and forth with goods, from their area of town to the row. Also heard of “citizens” using them for nefarious business that they didn’t want everyone to know about. You might try Sharlot Hall Museum for info, too. It’s just down the street.
Your version of history lines up perfectly with what the majority of people have told me. I'm planning my trip to Prescott soon. Stay tuned! 😎☀️🌵
@Small Town Tourist You should see what you can find out about Gleed Station. It doesn't really exist anymore but the Chinese R/R workers also have a cemetery out by that old location. Gleed Station was out west of Ashfork.
I'm adding it to my list 👍☀️🌵
Well, I learned something new today. 🌻Thank you
My pleasure! Thanks for checking out my channel 😎👍☀️🌵
Omg, you gave me chills…I love your content. This is what I dream to do, travel small towns all over the country. Subbed
I can't wait to get out and continue making videos. I hope to one day make this my primary source of income. Thanks for your incredibly kind comment!
Wife: Honey please don't say anything weird around my family this thanksgiving
Me: 14:50
@@NetscapeSato I'm a good sport and respect great humor and comedy. Your post was comedy GOLD 🏅. Thanks for stopping by my channel and leaving an amazing comment 😉☀️🌵
There is an article published in the Williams news, sometime in the 90's about a Chinese graveyard uncovered during some construction of motel 6 on route 66. I never heard anything of it after that until this post. I've been wanting to research some of the history on the Chinese graves and workers myself.
That's very interesting. I had someone tell me it was under a grocery store but I couldn't find anything on it. I'll look into the Motel 6 story. The history of the Chinese railroad workers is fascinating and horrifying. I'd encourage you to definitely research this, it's a story that needs to be told. Thank you for your comment ☀️🌵
I've been unsuccessful at trying to find the article but if you ever get the chance to look up building records at the Williams library maybe there would be some info if not from the business. But this is a piece of missing history Id love to hear more about.
maybe it is the safeway grocery store. i think the motel 6 is across the street.
The town of Chico,Ca has tunnels under downtown that the Chinese made or used as well.
That's great info! I've added it to my list of places to visit 😎☀️🌵
@@smalltowntourist coming into Chico from Orville on highway 70 there’s rock stacked walls that go for miles in the middle of fields that the Chinese built and I heard of people finding old pipes and artifacts in them.
@Luteracks very interesting!
I live near Niagara Falls in Canada and I'm fairly sure that you will find these types of tunnels all over the North American continent, if you look for them. I know there are tunnels underneath the towns, in many areas around here. Fort Erie has tunnels, as do Niagara Falls (the city), Niagara on the Lake and Port Colborne as well. People do not realize that many of the battles in the war of 1812 were fought in this area. Toronto also has many areas of underground tunnels as well. Many large cities in the States also have tunnels underneath them, so they're all over the place.🙂👍🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
This experience definitely opened my eyes. Thank you for the kind comment. BTW, I've been to both the falls and Toronto. Both are wonderful places to visit. 😎☀️🌵
I live in Arizona as has my family since 1915, i haven't visited Williams yet, but I will soon, as well as other small old west towns.
You won't be disappointed! Arizona small towns have so much to offer and the people are amazing. Some of the best restaurants in the state can be found in the small towns. Have fun on your excursions 😎☀️🌵
I'm heading up to Williams today since its the closest town to me with a super market and a Mexican food drive through. to my property 45 mins away.. This was an interesting find on you tube . thanks for the video
45 minutes in any direction from Williams is beautiful landscapes! I'm a little jealous 😎☀️🌵
Pine Country Cafe, you should've eaten there. Great pie!
I'll be sure to make it one of my stops during my next visit 😉☀️🌵
My favorite is not giving away the location... lol
❤ if you know you know... hahaha😂
😉
That doesn’t do anything. It took me like 30 seconds to find out this was canyon club and I’ve never been there
@@johngrade9817 great job Retard!
You wouldn't know sarcasm if it came on your face, stupid. 👉💨 😂
in Pendleton Oregon they have them to but they turned them in to a tourist attraction called the the Pendleton underground it pretty cool
@milofrazier3604 very cool! 😎☀️🌵
I visited Williams when I was a kid exploring everything that we could never knew about theorem tunnels
The locals try to keep them a secret. I imagine people want to see them for themselves, and it could get annoying after a while. I took me an entire day to finally find someone who was willing to give me access. 😉☀️🌵
VERY COOL.THANK YOU
Thank you for checking out my channel 😎 ☀️ 🌵
I liked the part where you said “Jaq ClueStow”…..Lmao…. Aka Jacques Cousteau. I’m sure the Locals are really going to be very loving when you come back.
Yes, I made a mistake. Thanks for being willing to point it out. 😎☀️🌵
Moosejaw, Saskatchewan has Chinese tunnels too, some famous US criminal (Al Capone?) escaped there.
We own 6 " deep soil, not 60 feet, so putting gravel in the tunnels would be wrong, blocking entrance from building would be ok.
The Chinese deceased were largely repatriated from N America back to China decades ago.
Seattle had/has had underground city tours from a bar in Pioneer Square, the reason for their tunnels were to build the oceanfront up so sewage would come in with the tide. There are tunnels all over the world for even more nefarious reasons.
Cool! Thanks for sharing 😎☀️🌵
I didn't need proof of your story but it sure adds to it .
Thats the most awesome beard I’ve ever seen, i wanna pet it. Looks so soft, the way it fluttered in the wind. 😎
Uh, thanks? Lol ☀️🌵
Thank you for sharing 🙋🏽♀️
My pleasure! Thank you for checking out my channel 😎☀️🌵
Really enjoyed that. Thanks 😊.
@@mikeanderson6522 Thanks for tuning into my channel! 😎☀️🌵
This channel is GOLD
Thank you! ☀️🌵
Very informative! Thank you!!
My pleasure and more to come soon 🌵☀
Great story is fascinating how people like to put that kind of history behind, is very interesting story, thank you, Have you visit Pie Town in New Mexico!!!
@c.alcazar2584 I have been to Pie Town! It was before I started my channel though. Maybe I should go back? It's not far from Springerville, AZ which is one of the small towns I plan to visit soon 😎☀️🌵
Very cool. I live 30 miles from Willaims.
Thanks for checking out my channel and taking the time to post your comment 😎☀️🌵
@@smalltowntourist Rumor is there may be a sealed off prison under Williams similar to Park City Utah. Rumor is also that there are still bodies buried down there. Like both cities, the miners were wild drunks and gamblers and very rowdy bunches.
Flagstaff has a set of tunnels under the downtown area as well.
There are also tunnels in Tucson. And old smuggling tunnels under the Gadston Hotel in Douglas.
Interesting 😎☀️🌵
ALWAYS FUN TIMES HERE IN ARIZONA !
💯 ☀️🌵
I’d love you to explore or learn more about the underground tunnels in Livingston MT…..I’ve always wondered
I am trying to plan a trip to Montana next year (no promises) in hopes to tour some of their small towns. Livingston is definitely one of the towns I hope to visit. When I'm there, I'll definitely do everything I can to see their tunnels! 😉☀️🌵
Great vid!!
Thank you!
My husband and I used to drive up to Willam’s once a year. Knew about the “Red Garter,” place and reputation, but this is the first time I ever heard about the tunnels. Thank you for sharing this fun fact, well kinda sad that the Asian people were forced (??) do do the work and build the RR.
Thanks for checking out my channel! The Chinese weren't "forced" but they definitely were treated very poorly compared to other workers. We owe them a lot of gratitude for what they accomplished. 😎☀️🌵
Pretty much every old railroad town out west. My job took me into a bunch of them around here. As your video showed, they're sealed off, repurposed and modernized as basements.
I wish I could have experienced the tunnels before they were filled in. I imagine they would have been even more fascinating to walk through. Thanks for your comment 👍☀️🌵
@@smalltowntourist history is a great place for imagination. Going on a six day bender underground must've been something
@@rcmadness247 I imagine so! lol
Kingman has Chinese tunnels also.
That’s Cool and very interesting.
I had a blast making this video because I had no idea the tunnels existed. Thanks for the kind comments ☀️🌵
Out towards bearizona at the actual railroad tracks, there are two tunnel entrances that seem to boarded up...just holes on the side of hill the tracks are on...they go back towards the town just into the actual hill
Interesting. That seems to be a good distance from town. I wonder if they are part of the same tunnel system? Thanks for the comment! 😎☀️🌵
It's crazy how you walked in to the basement and as soon as you hit the tunnel you can't hear the music playing in the bar!
They are 30 feet or so down and go pretty far back. I wish I would have had a better / brighter light so my viewers could see that they were clearly made by hand and picks.
Chinese tunnels in Phoenix also. Central and Washington.
Interesting 🤔 ☀️🌵
Giving up all our secrets lol. Home town secrets.
I hope Williams will be my home some day. I love your town ☀️🌵
its a gem
The downtown area of Kingman has a bunch of Chinese houses still. The cabinets and countertops are super low. There are tunnels all over here. This used to be a huge WW2 base and the government built even more tunnels.
@@20Prosperity12 This sounds incredibly intriguing 🤔
@@smalltowntourist yeah come check it out. The High School downtown was also built atop of a Chinese graveyard and the Ghost Hunters were here as the high school is supposedly haunted.
Even though you didn’t mention any store names but I have a pretty good idea which bar had a that door to the tunnel
@@ylrevebzeb8767 if you know, you know 😉
Tombstone is riddled with tunnels too. Check it out !
I'll be going to Tombstone soon! Thanks for the tip 👍 ☀️🌵