An Unusual Tunnel

I love finding out things about my hometown New York City that I never knew. The neighborhood known as Chinatown included many alleyways during the turn of the century. Doyers Street that was located between Pell and Mott Streets got the name of “Bloody Angle.” This was because in 1965 gangs worked the street waiting just around the bend so they could not be seen.

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There were two main gangs looking to gain control Hip Sing Tong and On Leong Tong. With all the violence the street became pretty crimson with all the blood spilled. They were battling to take control of Chinatown. This 200-foot long street became one of the most violent in the history of America. The gangsters would carry hatchets and wait around the bend for their victims so it is also said that from this came the term “hatchet man.”

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If you would walk in Chinatown today you would see that the tunnel is partly gone but there is a half that goes through Chatham Square and this part you can still get to see. You’ll find the Chinese landmark Nam Wah Tea Parlor at the southwest corner of the alley. This is the first business that brought Dim Sum (steamed buns with pork) to New York in 1920.