Скачать или смотреть The Tunnels of Mysterious Histories Underneath Butte’s Chinatown

The most intriguing element of Butte, Montana’s Chinatown district is what you cannot see above ground. Tunnels and passageways connect the diminutive district buildings and offer access to the former red-light district. The access was employed for food service, alcohol distribution during Prohibition, delivering goods and discreet entries and exits into brothels. Butte has a long storied history of Chinese immigration. In 1890, nearly 400 Chinese residents lived and worked in the Chinatown sector and by 1910, nearly 2,000 Chinese lived in Butte. Many arrived seeking their fortunes in local gold mining camps.

By 1940, there was only 92 Chinese residents. Today’s Chinatown and Red Light Districts are a mere skeleton of their former vibrancy. The three most prominent remaining buildings have served as restaurants, importers, gambling parlors, boarding houses and former livings quarters on the basement levels.