New York's Secret Tunnel Societies | Cities Of The Underworld (S2, E9) | Full Episode
TLDRUncover the hidden layers of New York City, where secret societies and clandestine groups have shaped the urban landscape. From the strategic underground network of Fort Totten to the Prohibition-era speakeasies like 21 Club with its ingenious security, and the deadly work of the Sandhogs tunneling beneath the city, each facet reveals the city's rich and complex history. Delve into the forgotten subway tunnel built by Freemasons, the Chinese gang wars in the Bloody Angle, and the rumors of an assassin's diary hidden in an abandoned locomotive. This underworld chronicle showcases the untold stories and the unsung heroes who built New York from the ground down.
Takeaways
- 🏙️ New York City's famous skyline hides a complex underworld with a rich history of secret societies and covert operations.
- 🥂 During Prohibition, New York was home to over 100,000 speakeasies, many operated by the mob, with 21 Club standing out for its sophisticated security measures.
- 🚇 The Sandhogs, an elusive brotherhood, have been responsible for carving out New York's underground since the 1870s, working on massive projects like the subway and sewers.
- 🔨 The construction of New York's first subway tunnel predates London's by nearly 20 years and was made possible by the Freemasons, who also played a key role in the city's infrastructure.
- 🎩 The Freemasons, a powerful secret society, influenced the planning and building of America's infrastructure, including New York's, with notable figures like George Washington and Ben Franklin as members.
- 🇨🇳 Chinatown's underworld was rife with gang wars, with tongs like On Leong and Hip Sing engaging in violent battles for control of vices, using an elaborate network of underground tunnels.
- 🏰 Fort Totten, a strategic Civil War-era fort, was designed to protect New York Harbor with high lookout points, cannons, and an underwater minefield.
- 💣 The Sandhogs' work is vital to New York City, creating a labyrinth of tunnels beneath the city that facilitate modernization and development while preserving the past.
- 🛠️ The evolution of tunnel construction from dangerous blasting to the use of tunnel boring machines has made the process safer and more efficient, allowing for ambitious projects like the East Side Access.
- 🏥 The Sandhogs face deadly risks, including silica dust, the bends, and accidents, yet their work goes largely unseen, contributing to the city's functionality and growth.
Q & A
What is the significance of the underground world in New York City?
-The underground world in New York City is significant as it hides a rich history of secret societies, illegal activities, and critical infrastructure. It was built by mobsters, bootleggers, and secret societies and includes speakeasies, tunnels, and hidden chambers that have played a role in the city's development and events like Prohibition and gang wars.
What role did the Sandhogs play in the construction of New York City's infrastructure?
-The Sandhogs, an elusive brotherhood of workers, have been responsible for digging billion-dollar tunnels beneath the city for over 130 years. They have contributed to major projects such as the subway, sewers, the Lincoln Tunnel, and the foundations for the Brooklyn Bridge, shaping the city's infrastructure and enabling its above-ground development.
How did the 21 Club in Manhattan manage to survive Prohibition and gangland threats?
-The 21 Club survived Prohibition and gangland threats through its state-of-the-art security systems, famous clientele, and strategic measures. It had a hidden door with a meat skewer lock, an alarm system, and a secret wine cellar across different buildings. The club's reputation and connections, including those with powerful figures like the mayor, also played a role in its ability to withstand federal raids and mob attempts to take over.
What is the history behind the oldest subway tunnel in New York City?
-The oldest subway tunnel in New York City, built in 1844, was part of an innovative project to connect the Long Island Railroad to Brooklyn. The Freemasons, with their influence and resources, were instrumental in the construction of this tunnel, which was created using a method called 'cut and cover,' involving the excavation of a trench, lining it with Manhattan bedrock and brick, and then covering it with the street again.
What were the tongs in Chinatown and how did they contribute to the neighborhood's dangerous reputation?
-The tongs in Chinatown were powerful Chinese gangs that emerged as the American version of the ancient Chinese secret society, the Triad Society. They were involved in various illegal activities, including gambling, opium dealing, and prostitution. The tongs engaged in violent turf wars, using hatchets as their weapon of choice, which contributed to Chinatown's reputation as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in New York's history.
What is Fort Totten and how did it contribute to the defense of New York City?
-Fort Totten is a strategic military fort built during the Civil War to protect New York City from ocean assaults. It was designed with high lookout points, cannons, and an underground network that included weapon magazines, holding cells, bunkers, and a rumored tunnel to Fort Schuyler. The fort also had an underwater minefield in the riverbed between it and Fort Schuyler, which could be activated by soldiers to deter enemy vessels.
How did the underground network of tunnels and speakeasies contribute to the culture of Prohibition-era New York?
-During the Prohibition era, the underground network of tunnels and speakeasies became a cultural phenomenon in New York. These secret establishments catered to the high society and celebrities, offering a place to indulge in prohibited activities. The speakeasies, with their hidden entrances and exits, became symbols of resistance against the federal ban on alcohol and contributed to the vibrant, albeit illegal, nightlife of the city.
What is the significance of the Freemasons in the history of New York City?
-The Freemasons have played a significant role in the history of New York City. They were involved in laying the foundations of the city and the nation, with influential figures like George Washington and Ben Franklin being members. They also contributed to major infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the first subway tunnel and the planning of the nation's capital. Their secretive nature and influence on politics and construction have made them an enduring part of the city's secret societies.
What is the East Side Access project and how will it impact New York City?
-The East Side Access project is a massive undertaking that involves creating a 3.5-mile tunnel to connect the Long Island Railroad to Grand Central Terminal. When completed, it will provide a much-needed connection to ease overcrowding on the New York subway system and improve transportation options for millions of commuters.
How did the speakeasy at 21 Club hide its illegal stash of alcohol during Prohibition?
-The speakeasy at 21 Club hid its illegal stash of over 2,000 cases of wine and liquor behind a secret door that required an 18-inch meat skewer to unlock. The door was part of the foundation of the wall and led to a hidden wine cellar that was not even in the same building as the restaurant. This ingenious design helped the club avoid detection during federal raids.
What was the role of the underground tunnels in Chinatown during the gang wars?
-The underground tunnels in Chinatown played a crucial role during the gang wars, serving as a labyrinthine network that allowed gangs to launch surprise attacks and escape from the police. The tunnels provided a strategic advantage, enabling the gangs to control the underground economy and engage in violent confrontations with rival groups.
Outlines
🏙️ New York's Secret Underworld
This paragraph delves into the hidden world beneath New York City, an underworld constructed by mobsters, bootleggers, and secret societies. It discusses the city's rich history, from speakeasies that defied federal laws during Prohibition to the dangerous work of the Sandhogs, who build and maintain the city's vast network of tunnels and subway lines. The narrative is led by Don Wildman, who explores the city's secret societies, including the Freemasons, and their impact on New York's development.
🍷 The Speakeasy of 21 Club
This segment focuses on the legendary speakeasy, 21 Club, located in Midtown Manhattan during the Prohibition era. It highlights the club's state-of-the-art security measures, including a hidden wine cellar protected by a secret door and a meat skewer lock. The narrative reveals how the club managed to survive gangland threats and federal raids, thanks to its famous clientele, which included the mayor of New York and other high-profile individuals.
🏗️ The Dangerous Work of the Sandhogs
This section provides an in-depth look at the challenging and perilous job of the Sandhogs, the workers responsible for creating and maintaining the tunnels beneath New York City. It discusses the evolution of their work, from using dynamite and conventional drills to employing tunnel boring machines, which significantly increased progress and safety. The paragraph also touches on the health risks faced by the Sandhogs, such as silica dust and 'the bends,' a dangerous condition caused by rapid changes in pressure.
🚇 The Ghost Tunnel of Brooklyn
This part of the script uncovers the mystery of New York's oldest subway tunnel, which predates the official subway system. The tunnel, buried beneath Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue, is said to have been used for various illicit activities, including bootlegging and as a hiding place for an assassin's diary. The Freemasons are credited with building this pioneering tunnel, showcasing their influence on the city's infrastructure development.
🔫 The Tong Wars of Chinatown
This segment explores the violent history of Chinatown in New York, where rival tongs (Chinese gangs) fought for control over the neighborhood's vices, including gambling, opium, and prostitution. It describes the use of hatchets in gang wars and the complex network of underground tunnels that the gangs utilized for surprise attacks and escapes from the police. The narrative also touches on the impact of these gang wars on the community and the city's efforts to curb this organized crime.
🏰 Fort Totten: Guardian of New York Harbor
This paragraph discusses the strategic importance of Fort Totten, an underappreciated military installation that protected New York City's waterways for over 150 years. It covers the fort's design, its role in the Civil War, and the innovative weaponry used to deter enemy attacks, including an underwater minefield and a rumored tunnel connecting to Fort Schuyler. The narrative emphasizes the fort's contribution to the city's safety and its place in American military history.
🌐 The Unsung Heroes of New York's Growth
In this concluding segment, the script reflects on the significant, yet often overlooked, contributions of secret societies and underground organizations to the growth and development of New York City. From the Freemasons to the Sandhogs, these groups have played a crucial role in building the city, both literally and figuratively, by working beneath the surface and shaping its history. The paragraph highlights the city's rich and complex past, built on the foundations of these unseen and unheard entities.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Underworld
💡Speakeasy
💡Secret Societies
💡Sandhogs
💡Prohibition
💡Chinatown
💡Tunnel Boring Machine
💡Freemasons
💡Gang Wars
💡Subterranean
Highlights
New York City's massive underworld includes nearly 1,000 miles of subway lines and over 6,437 miles of sewers.
During Prohibition, New York City saw the emergence of up to 100,000 speakeasies, most of which were mob-operated.
The 21 Club, a famous speakeasy, employed ingenious security systems to evade federal raids, including a 4,000-pound hidden door.
Prohibition-era 21 Club featured a secret wine cellar in an adjacent building, cleverly avoiding detection during raids.
Mayor Jimmy Walker once intervened during a raid at 21 Club, directing the police to tow away federal agents' cars.
Sandhogs, or Local Union 147, have been instrumental in New York's construction, responsible for major projects like subways and tunnels since 1872.
The Sandhogs work on extremely dangerous jobs, historically facing high mortality rates, such as during the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge foundations.
New York's East Side Access project, a massive undertaking by the Sandhogs, aims to connect Long Island Railroad to Grand Central Terminal.
Bob Diamond, an urban explorer, rediscovered New York's oldest subway tunnel beneath Atlantic Avenue, initially constructed in 1844.
The Freemasons were heavily involved in the early construction efforts of New York, including the creation of the first subway tunnel.
Chinatown's underground was historically a hub for secret societies and gangs, utilizing tunnels for clandestine activities.
Fort Totten, built in 1862, played a critical role in protecting New York City with strategic military designs and innovations.
A hidden network of military tunnels and underwater mines were developed between Fort Totten and Fort Schuyler to defend New York Harbor.
The 21 Club, surviving beyond Prohibition, transformed its hidden wine cellar into one of the city's elite wine collections.
New York City's underground is not just construction and transportation but also holds secrets of past societies and historical activities.
Transcripts
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