Leavenworth Underground

[Sherry]

First, I have not heard any claims that this is haunted, but when I saw this article, I couldn't help thinking how neat this is! Katy Ryan from LV MAg did this article and took the pictures of Leavenworth's forgotten underground. Check it out at:

http://www.thelvmag.com

Does anybody else know about these tunnels-I would really like to hear more about them!

[Bear]

I have been in some of this. Ask the people who are my age. We used to run around and play down there until our parents yelled at us, and even that did not stop some of us. I know the Homeless sleep down there. As far as Energy, there is energy in all places such as that. Some of the tunnels and all the Caves date back pre Civil War, there is energy there. Geothermal to be sure and as with anything use in the manner that those Caves and Tunnels were used in there is residual energy from pain and stress. I have not played down there in a long time, I will see if I can find the old entrance we used to use to get in and hopefully the city did not seal it off.

[Sherry]

If you find the entrance and it is not sealed off I would be really interested in taking a look at the caves. Some of my friends have been in the underground caves also, especially when they were teenagers, and I guess there are quite a few of these caves around here.

I have been doing some research with the local folks here about the stores, and I guess it's one of those things that alot of people know they are there, but just kind of forget about them most of the time. So far I have not been able to find out why the old town was built up a level, it's like they have kind of left the story about it out of the records. Most likely it was due to flooding, that would be a totally reasonable explanation since the part of Leavenworth where these tunnels are is right off of the river. But I am still trying to find some documentation about it.

What do you think the caves were were used for? Was there some kind of mining in the town-seems like I might have heard that somewhere. I have to go back and take a look at my research materials-(I have had too many irons in the fire lately). I have also heard about a tunnel that may possibly still exist that goes all the way underneath the river to Missouri. It is the belief of some of the folks here that it was part of the Underground Railway for escaping slaves, but that it was closed off a long time ago for safety issues.

They think that the hidden underground in Leavenworth might have been utilized as part of the Underground Railway as well, and that might be the reason why the records are weak about them, that it might have been left out on purpose so the public in general would forget about them. At least 2 of my friends have recounted personal stories about working in the stores in Leavenworth and having seen the old buildings under ground in the basements of the stores.

I'm pretty fascinated with the caves and the underground stores. Even though the store areas are little more than tunnels now, (because the buildings themselves are filled with rocks to form a stable foundation for the structures on top of them), I would still like to see them myself at some point, and I would love to do an investigation in them, just to find out if there is anything there.

Many types of rock and minerals, as well as the presence of water, are theorized to affect the strength of paranormal activity like a natural conductor of some kind. If that theory is true, then that could contribute to some very strong activity in those caves.

[Sherry]

I just picked up the latest issue of the LV mag and there is a part 2 on the "Underground" that is now going to be a series of 3 articles to be completed in the next issue. There is also an excellant article about "Haunted Leavenworth" as well. I was hoping that it would be posted on the LVmag website, but I could not find an updated version as of today. As soon as they do I will put a link here so everyone can check it out.

[Rebecca Cunningham]

Are you by chance talking about the tunnels overlooking the river? On what used to be called Billy Goat Hill?

[Sherry]

Yes , those and the ones that are under the town of Leavenworth.

[Sherry]

Have you been in the tunnels Rebecca?

[Rebecca Cunningham]

Back in the late 60's- early 70's, I used to run around up on Billy Goat Hill, which is the top of wilson avenue. My brother and I were looking for a friend of ours who ran away, we drove his Chevy Malibu, into the caves. Well, needless to say when we got back to the house we told where we looked, and the "Mom" of the house told us not to ever do that again because the tunnels could cave in. YIKES! I do recall those tunnels being facinating even then. You could almost imagine bats flying over head, and miners peeking out at you.

[Sherry]

They just sound like an amazing experience waiting to happen! I wonder if there is anyplace that you can get into them that wouldn't be trespassing. I have heard they have barred peple from going in because of safety, and I don't want to get myself or anyone else hurt, but there must be some parts that are all right. I still have hope of seeing some of them. If their is enough interest in the communnity maybe someone will open a little tour or something! Wouldn't that be great?

[Bear]

If you do decide to go down there. I am first aid trained and if there is a cave in down there it is never a bad thing to have me down there.

[Sherry]

Thanks Bear, I appreciate the thought, but I probably won't take the chance unless I can be pretty sure of everybody being safe.