Day 69 - Twin Falls ID - 8097 Miles

For our full day in Pendleton OR we toured their “historic underground”. A little Pendleton history here. Many stone or brick buildings in the downtown area were built in the 1890-1910 period and all had basements. Often businesses used these spaces for legitimate purposes but there was also a four-block area known as the “entertainment district”. Much of the activity in this area was somewhat less than legitimate and operated out of the basements. At the area’s peak 32 saloons and 18 brothels operated in the district. Oddly, (to me at least) the brothels operated openly above ground. During the time the railroads were built, Chinese laborers were brought in for the construction. The Chinese also lived in the basements. They were not allowed on the streets after dark and ended up punching through basement walls creating a maze of underground rooms and passages under much of downtown.

From the late 1800’s through about 1950 the underground space was used at various times for Chinese housing, businesses, and opium dens; saloons and gambling halls, speakeasys, and ending with pool and dance halls for troops during WWII. The above-ground brothels were officially shut down in 1953 and the last one actually closed in 1967.

Late 1800's Saloon

Speakeasy Space from 1920's

Pool Hall from WWII Era

Chinese Housing Space

Opium Den

This is a hotel/brothel that operated from the 1920’s until 1953. Interestingly, the doorway to the upstairs rooms was sealed with concrete and not reopened until the 1990’s. That meant that, although the furnishings are not original, the building is structurally as in was while it was in operation.

Hotel/Brothel

Hotel/Brothel Entry

One of the "Working Rooms"

Yesterday was a drive from Oregon to Twin Falls ID crossing the appropriately named Snake River half a dozen times along the way. Today (after my weekly laundry) we checked what the city had to offer. It turns out the city has three claims to fame, as near as I can tell. First is Shoshone Falls. Some call it "the Niagara of the West". That might be a bit of a stretch but it was pretty impressive.

Shoshone Falls

The second is the Snake River Canyon running along the northern edge of town.

Snake River Canyon

Perrine Bridge Over the Snake River Canyon

Saturday seemed to be a big day for base jumpers from the bridge. We saw about 10-12 jumps. There were about five jumpers who would climb up the side of the canyon and jump again. That seems like a whole lot of work for a very brief reward. They were still at it when we left.

 

I thought it looked like fun but I couldn't find a place to rent parachutes. I also have a strict rule about not participating in activities that might involve my feet being higher than my head (see above photo). Also, on the off chance I survived the jump, I would have to live the rest of my life at the bottom of the canyon since there is no way I could climb out.

I don't know where this guy started but he sailed under the bridge and landed at the same spot the base jumpers were using.

 

The third highlight, for those old enough to remember, is that this is the spot where Evel Knievel tried his jump across the canyon. Had he succeeded or died trying, I'm sure this would be a big tourist attraction. Since he unceremoniously  floated down after a premature parachute deployment, this is simply a footnote in local folklore. The site is difficult to reach since the surrounding cliff-front property has become very expensive home sites. His ramp still remains, though, and I was able to get a long-distance photo.