SECRET Tunnels ☀️🌵 UNDER Williams Arizona
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- Опубликовано: 18 сен 2022
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As I was wrapping up my morning of filming, I happened to meet a local Williams resident who informed me about hidden secret tunnels under the city. These tunnels were built by the Chinese immigrants brought here to build the railroad. They used them as opium dens and to get around the town since they were forbidden to walk the streets.
Later, after the US passed prohibition nationwide, the tunnels were used as speakeasys and secret passages to the local bordellos.
Welcome to Williams, Arizona, located in the heart of the Kaibab National Forest at an elevation of 6,770 feet.
Founded in 1881, Williams was named for the famous trapper, scout and mountain man, "Old Bill Williams." A statue of "Old Bill" stands in Monument Park, located on the west side of the city. The large mountain directly south of town is named Bill Williams Mountain and the Town was incorporated July 9, 1901.
Also known as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon®," Williams was the last town on Historic Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40. The community, bypassed on Oct. 13, 1984, continues to thrive on tourism.
Boasting seven area fishing lakes, hiking trails up Bill Williams Mountain and into Sycamore Canyon, an alpine ski area and cross-country ski trails, four seasons weather and an abundance of wildlife, Williams offers unlimited recreational opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast.
The Historic Downtown District covers six square blocks. There is something for everyone in Williams, Arizona. The town boasts a rich heritage that features the Old West and Route 66 coupled with tourism trends today and the town's heyday years of the '50s and '60s.
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#Smalltown #Arizona #Travel #Tourism #tunnels #urbanexploration
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 😎☀️🌵
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.
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 👍
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
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 ☀️🌵
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 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. ☀️🌵
From the look on the fry cook's face there are 20 families living under there!
Lol ☀️🌵
I went this past weekend. Loved the town.
It's a spectacular small Arizona town 👍☀🌵
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 ☀🌵
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.
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 ☀️🌵
Kingman has Chinese tunnels also.
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 👍☀️🌵
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 👍 ☀️🌵
ALWAYS FUN TIMES HERE IN ARIZONA !
💯 ☀️🌵
This is really cool, John.
Thanks brother! I had a blast making this video ☀️🌵
I think the next steps to learning more is to get more comfortable with some key people there. Some old timers there know something and you have to get to them. The other thing is that when you were down in the tunnel there are pipes down there. Those look like recent water supply and waste water lines. Being black PVC on the waste water line, I would think that they were installed within the last 20 years. You may want to talk to water utility workers. Some of them were down there installing those pipes. My guess is that the water company used the tunnels decades ago when they installed city water and recently upgraded the system to more modern pipes.
The black pipe was just installed after they had sewer issues, talking with utility workers is a great idea! 👍 ☀️🌵
Very informative! Thank you!!
My pleasure and more to come soon 🌵☀
This is where I live, and Rebel is a very dear friend of mine... I also know Jay Redfeather..... good people here...
I agree 💯!!
Great vid!!
Thank you!
That’s really cool! I love this type of stuff.
Thank you! I had a blast making this video. Stay tuned for more ☀️🌵
This was amazing!
I'm very happy you enjoyed it. Williams is definitely one of my favorite small towns in Arizona. Making this video was a ton of fun! ☀️🌵
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 ☀️🌵
Outstanding video !!!!!
Thank you! ☀️🌵
excellent video
ur amazing
Thank you! ☀️🌵
great video thanks
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for your kind comment ☀️🌵
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. 😉☀️🌵
This channel is GOLD
Thank you! ☀️🌵
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 👍☀️🌵
Very cool. Think I should move there
I'd move there in a heartbeat if I could. Thanks for the comment 👍 ☀️🌵
Leo's Coffee is AWESOME!!
It's funny you should say that. I was passing through Williams just last week and stopped by Leo's for some coffee and a Danish. Very good! Thanks for the comment and I hope you enjoy my channel ☀️🌵
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 🙂👍
Williams is my hometown. No tunnels were dug under Williams as the ground is almost pure basalt.
However, the region is full of ice caves and lava tubes connected to ground water and wells. Williams used to have a dozen or more wells that are connected by underground passages.
The "cave" shown in the video is a basement and nothing more.
That's interesting information. The space I was in went back 40 feet or so. I was told it went all the way to the road where the city filled them in for structural integrity under the roads. I have been told so many different stories regarding these rooms / tunnels, I have no idea what the true history is. Regardless, the stories and tunnels are fascinating. Thanks again for sharing your understanding of these rooms 👍☀️🌵
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. ☀️🌵
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 👍☀️🌵
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
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 ☀️🌵
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
Wow lived there did tours there and never heard about this
The locals definitely keep it quiet. I just happened to meet the right person 😉☀️🌵
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.
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.
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
Ok that’s pretty awesome. Not sure if I’d want to explore the tunnels cuz that a bit creepy lol, but it’s a very interesting part of history.
I wish I would have had a stronger light so I might go back at least once, but that's it lol. Thanks for the comment 👍 ☀️🌵
@smalltowntourist so anyone can tour the tunnels?
We would like to visit these tunnels!
The history is debated but they are certainly fascinating 😉☀️🌵
You could have also went to the library
At 14:30 and 14:32 to the right of the screen you can see what appears to be two orbs. These are thought to be spirits that would haunt locations.
Whoa! That adds a whole new level of creepy! Thanks for sharing ☀️🌵
Come to small towns in Oregon!!
One Williams, Arizona is my home. Is my town I grew up by just a little kid And an annoyed amount of my whole life are growing up I ain't His whims had a secret tunnel I had no idea
There are old tunnels in two towns that I know in the central San Joaquin Valley of California. These also were built in the early years by the chinese immigrants.
Fascinating! Have you been in them?
You craft a great video! Most vloggers fail in the editing. Yours was professional.
I should know... I was a professional video and film editor in L.A.
Thank you! I'm always trying to improve my skills. Without any professional training, trial and error has been my "technique." I also pay attention to other vloggers and TV shows. You can learn a lot just be paying attention. 👍☀️🌵
I grew up in williams and the The tunnels went all the way through to Flagstaff. If you ever go to the catholic church on cherry street there is Largest church that is dating to that era you can Find these tunnels connecting almost 30 miles away.
That's incredibly interesting. The hours it must have taken to build these tunnels is incredible! ☀️🌵
When I went to high school there was a priest that told me about it the only reason why I know that they conneit's it's both beautiful and depressing. At the same time that people had to hide in such a way. Not all were part of the opium trade. They were just seeking salvation refuge refuge
@trever lawrence I was told the Chinese workers were prohibited from being seen on the streets in Williams, so they basically lived underground. It's definitely a sad part of American history.
Nice video! Look me up the next time you’re in town…..I explored all the cellars, crawl spaces and cesspools with my young children wearing helmets and headlamps back in the ‘90s. I’ve got the rest of the story for you! Judge Rob Krombeen
I will definitely do that! 👍☀️🌵
Cesspools?
Lived in Williams for 20 years the tunnel under sultana bar, and the other place you were at connect in the tunnels
I'm sure they used to, but the city filled most of the tunnels in (unless they were hiding them from me). Thanks for your comment!
@@smalltowntourist they lied the one underneath the Saltana bar connect to Canyon Club and Bank
@@kingbuck8950and we both know the tunnel shown in the video is the canyon club haha
I was in grand canyon on sat
It never disappoints! June is the best month for visiting GC ☀️🌵
I have pictures of the tunnels under sultana
That's awesome, I was really hoping they would have allowed me to see them. ☀️🌵
Tombstone is riddled with tunnels too. Check it out !
I'll be going to Tombstone soon! Thanks for the tip 👍 ☀️🌵
perfectly preserved bodies in a lifeless glacial lake buuuuuuuuulllllshiiiiiit
As I said, it's local folklore and people swear by it. Thank you for the comment 👍 ☀️🌵
Hreat history but need more looking at all of the tunnels
I wish more businesses would cooperate with people when it comes to viewing the tunnels. I'd love to see more and share more.
It be great to take people on a tour of the tunnels for a small fee
I was always told the oriental graveyard was under the hotel and open field east of the cemetery. Never heard of slavery being there especially since Williams was founded after the Civil War
A lot of the confederates left the south and came to the area. Since AZ wasn't a state until 1912, it's possible. The tunnels were built in the late 1800s.
@@smalltowntourist No, slavery was 100% not possible in Williams, stop being an idiot and spreading lies.
@@smalltowntourist AZ was a Territory though, and the history of that was the Union sending the Army, creating the Capitol at Prescott, to maintain the area as a Northern Territory out of the hands of the Confederacy. There was not slavery in AZ then or after.
@@DS-gg2dp I recently read an article from 1910 where a man was arrested and tried for smuggling Chinese immigrants from California. They had to be sold or traded to someone. Slaves weren't only African, but again, I'm only repeating what a local had told me. There's a very good chance his history was incorrect. Thanks for the comment 👍
@@smalltowntourist that’s one of those stories to take with a grain of salt when there is an absence of hard evidence as far as slavery goes.
Research Butte Montana, much more interesting...... Also had opium dens and tunnels... But so much more.........
I definitely will! Thanks for the comment 👍 ☀️🌵
Half fact, half fantasy.
I'm happy I got half of it right lol. Thank you for the comment ☀️🌵
All truths are but half truths.
@@orthopraxis235 ???
It may be a safety thing that the residents didn't want to disclose the location or many really didn't know. It would be interesting though if someone could open them up, clean them up and use for a restaurant, saloon or museum.
That would be interesting. I made it down into one. It was rather damp and musty and FULL of spider webs. ☀️🌵
That is a myth Jacques Cousteau never actually Visited Lake Tahoe
If you talk to people (locals) in Reno, they tell the story as a matter of fact. Many will say the government is actively covering up this history. I'm definitely skeptical because if the bodies were there, groups would be filling that lake with divers hoping to get shots of the people down there.
@@smalltowntourist It really doesn’t surprise me that the government would cover it up
I lived there for years. You're talking to the wrong people. The people you talked to probably haven't been there long enough to know.
I fishy met the right people and took a tour of one of the remaining tunnels, very cool history! ☀️🌵
the Chinese were slaves to build the rail road😮
They did get paid but much less than the white workers. And, they had to use their own money for living expenses. A pretty dark stain on American history for sure.
lol i think i live less than a mile from you hahahaha
I no longer live in east Mesa, I'm moving south 😉☀️🌵
Your lighting leaves a lot to be desired. But thank you for your search.
I had no idea I'd be in a tunnel 30 feet below ground. I would definitely been more prepared had I known. I hope to go back with a brighter light.
@@smalltowntourist
When you go from outside, summer type days to inside no light or 1 to 2 small windows or a barn with no windows always check your lighting to see if you are getting good lighting.
Alway have your major lighting at your back.
Did like your story research.
Thank you ☀️🌵
Every few seconds the spelling changes again of this poor guy's name.. Read Faether?? ♡
My mistake, I should not have assumed the spelling. Thank you 👍 ☀️ 🌵
Come in driving past it and going somewhere else to camp that's for sure Flagstaff has gotten so bad about harassing campers that pull in to camp they harass him even on the second day they're there even with air assault by drone that's how evil the forest service and law enforcement has become they do not deserve to risk money around Flagstaff or Williams at all
Thanks for the comment! I wonder why the forest service would be harassing campers, especially with drones? What are they looking for?
So yall dont burn down are forests and beautiful landscape 😂
Only one or two questions remain ---How much of that opium did you huff before you got to that nice little town. And are you still in Prison? The Chimeese did not build Railroads they were an advanced civilization and drove solar-powered Rickshaws. How do I know it's true? You can not grow Opium underground you must have sunlight. And there are no chopsticks for sale within two hundred miles of that tunnel. Lake Tahoe was never located in Az. It is in Iowa, close to the Illinois border with Mo. I am going to go to the small town of Williams Arkansaw and see if they have some chopsuee. That will most likely be a wild Chinese goose hunt.
Ok. ☀️🌵
I personally don't believe that they could have dug those tunnels they were already there. I'm sure they use them for opium and all the same stuff but what did they dig him out with shovels where they put the dirt? Those tunnels are much older.
The Chinese worked incredibly hard and fast. The railroads loved them because they worked much faster than the settlers did and their work was superior. I imagine they used wheelbarrows to move the dirt since the tunnels led to the railroad itself. This would be interesting to look deeper into. Thanks for the comment! ☀️ 🌵😉
Williams is just on an ancient coastline so there's all kinds of underground stuff there when they call San Francisco peak San Francisco peak there are ruins all over around there too A lot of people have not been trained to understand geological formations of ancient ruins at all... GENERALS HAVE BEEN TRAINED BUT NOT REGULAR PEOPLE
FAT
Thanks for the comment! ☀️🌵
Coo-coo!
Another story on how you can’t trust our government
👀
Come on really... bs
Wait, which part? ☀️🌵
@@smalltowntourist There is no history of the Chinese immigrants working on the rail lines in AZ. On the intercontental railway the immigrants worked for companies not the government. Do some homework before you start these fictional stories!! All these uneducated people now believe your fiction. You are a misinformer. Boo on you.
No bs
Was just there a few months ago and this is the first time hearing about this. Have you heard the story about heart shape rock at the grand canyon?
I've heard about it but don't recall seeing it. Is it on the north or south rim?
@@smalltowntourist South rim. It's by one of the hotels. The PSA lady on the Williams train to the Grand Canyon told us about it. We found the rock and was pretty cool.
@@smalltowntourist Story dates back to the Harvery Girls. Very fascinating
@@jameson7877 that's great information! Thank you ☀️🌵
Come to small towns in Oregon!!
I'm definitely planning on it. I have a buddy with a homestead in central Oregon 👍☀️🌵