This image shows a sealed underground tunnel entrance beneath one of Historic Downtown Pocatello’s old buildings, just steps from The Yellowstone Restaurant. These tunnels, rumored to have been used for everything from bootlegging to secret passageways between businesses, have long been part of local legend. Over the years, most were sealed off, like this one, with stone and brick. The aged wooden doorframe and remnants of an old window hint at the past—was this once an escape route, a storage area, or something more mysterious?
Pocatello’s Old Town has long been rumored to sit above a network of underground tunnels connecting building basements along Main Street. These passages date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when they allegedly served as hidden routes between saloons, opium dens, and other establishments—providing discreet escape or travel beneath the bustling "Gate City" streets. While some stories attribute these tunnels to Chinese immigrants or bootleggers, historians note that many Western towns simply had basement corridors or sidewalk vaults (delivery passageways under sidewalks) rather than extensive dug tunnels. In Pocatello’s case, however, enough anecdotal evidence exists that something was built underground downtown, fueling local legend.
Historical Origins of the Tunnels
The tunnels of Pocatello likely began as practical underground spaces for utilities, deliveries, and storage. Many old buildings had basement access that extended beneath the sidewalks, forming connected underground corridors. Early city planning and construction methods meant some businesses had lower-level entrances leading to these spaces.
Some historians suggest that during the early 1900s, businesses used these tunnels to move goods between establishments without having to navigate the busy streets above. Given Pocatello’s rapid growth as a railroad hub, having underground storage and transport options made sense. Additionally, certain areas of town had steam-heated tunnels providing warmth to connected buildings.
Over time, many of these passageways were closed off due to safety concerns, infrastructure changes, or city redevelopment. Today, several buildings in Historic Downtown Pocatello still have visible tunnel entrances, with bricked-up doorways in their basements, offering a glimpse into this lost underground network. Unfortunately, The Hotel Yellowstone does not have an existing tunnel entrance, despite its long and storied history in Pocatello. While many hoped to find a hidden passage beneath the iconic building, no evidence of one has been discovered.
Urban Legends and Rumors
While the tunnels served a practical purpose, numerous urban legends have grown around them over the years. Some of the most persistent tales include:
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Secret Speakeasies & Bootlegging: During Prohibition (1920-1933), it's rumored that Pocatello's tunnels were used for smuggling alcohol between underground bars and back rooms. Law enforcement raids were common in those days, and stories suggest some business owners had escape routes through the tunnels to avoid arrest.
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Opium Dens & “Chinese Tunnels”: Like many Western towns with 19th-century Chinese communities, Pocatello has long been rumored to have “Chinese tunnels” used for opium smoking or as hidden living quarters. However, historians have found no documentation supporting this claim. Instead, many believe these stories stem from misunderstandings of basement corridors beneath old Chinese-owned businesses.
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Gambling & Brothels: The early railroad days brought a lively nightlife scene to Pocatello, including gambling halls and brothels. Some claim the tunnels allowed patrons to move discreetly between these establishments or provided an escape route in case of police raids.
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Mysterious Disappearances & Ghost Stories: Perhaps the most eerie legend is that people have gone missing in the tunnels—lost in the darkness or caught in cave-ins. Paranormal investigators have explored some of the surviving tunnels, reporting strange noises, cold spots, and even unexplained voices. Many believe the tunnels are haunted by the spirits of Pocatello’s past.
Recent Explorations & Preservation
While many tunnels have been sealed off, some still exist today beneath the streets of Old Town Pocatello. A few businesses have retained access to these underground spaces, using them for storage or historical displays. Haunted history tours have even gained access to some tunnels, offering visitors a rare glimpse into Pocatello’s underground past.
Photographs from recent explorations reveal narrow corridors, bricked-up doorways, and remnants of old electrical wiring, giving credibility to the idea that these tunnels were once more than just a myth. Though time has erased many of these passageways, the fascination with Pocatello’s hidden tunnels continues to this day.
For those intrigued by local history, a walk through Historic Downtown Pocatello is a journey into the past—where every old building, every sealed-off basement door, and every whispered legend hints at a hidden world beneath the city.