Haunted Heritage!
The hidden spaces of a dark theatre, the quiet halls of a
historic hotel or the vacant cells of an abandoned prison can be
eerie enough on their own, but add reports of mysterious noises,
ghost-like apparitions and unexplainable phenomena and these
heritage places become downright frightening - frighteningly
fascinating.
Hair-raising Hotels...
Staying the night
in a haunted place can be a chilling experience. At the historic Fort Garry Hotel in
Winnipeg, Manitoba visitors and staff alike have reported seeing
apparitions in the halls and restaurants. Most famously, guests of
room 202 are often awoken by ghostly figures (a man cloaked in
black or a woman in a ball gown) at the foot of their bed. As
a result of these reports, the entire second floor of the Fort
Garry Hotel has taken on a paranormal reputation. Would you stay in
room 202?
Similarly unsettling sights have been witnessed at the Banff Springs Hotel in
Banff, Alberta. Along with being one of Canada's most famous
hotels, the Banff Springs also has the honour of being recognized
as one of the country's most haunted places. Tales abound about
this hotel and its many ghostly visitors. Take for instance the
bride who died in the hotel on her wedding day and still wanders
the halls, or Sam McCauley, the white-haired bellhop who continues
to operate the elevators despite having died in 1978. Also, beware
of the missing room 873. Strange sightings have been reported in
the hall outside where this mysterious room should be. The Banff
Springs promises you luxury amidst the Rockies, but you may just
get more than that during your stay.
Petrifying Prisons...
Prisons are inherently
spooky and sinister, and Canada's historic jails are no
exception. Built in 1878, the Governor's House at
the Waterloo County Jail was the home of the "gaoler" and is
believed to be haunted by spirits. The bodies of three inmates are
buried in the house's courtyard and they now haunt the home of
their keeper. The Carleton County Gaol in Ottawa also has an
especially haunting reputation. In operation from 1862 to 1972, the
jail housed a wide range of inmates, from minimal offenders to
murderers. It was also the scene of the last public execution in
Canada when thousands gathered for the hanging of Patrick Whelan,
the man accused of killing Thomas D'Arcy McGee. Now operating as a
youth hostel, the jail gives visitors the opportunity to spend the
night in a cell, slamming cell doors and wandering ghost inmates
included.
Supernatural Scenes...
Invoking images of phantoms hiding in the rafters of opera
houses, many of Canada's heritage theatres are believed to be
haunted. Opened in 1941 Vancouver's historic Vogue Theatre is often
visited by the ghost of a man in a white tuxedo who stands in the
aisle to watch the performances on stage. Employees have also
reported hearing loud, quick footsteps in the seemingly empty
theatre.
Similarly, the ghost of a young lady occupies the ticket booth
of the Capitol Theatre in
Moncton, New Brunswick late at night. In London, Ontario
spectators, actors and stagehands have seen an apparition of man at
the Grand Theatre. The man is believed to be
Ambrose Small, a businessman who financed the construction of the
theatre and mysteriously disappeared in 1919.
Intimidating Industry...
Working in industry is a dangerous occupation and it often stirs
up tales of horrific accidents. Part of the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Watson's Mill in Manotick, Ontario has a tragic and eerie history
of its own. In 1861, one year after the mill opened, the mill
owner's wife was killed in a dreadful accident. During a
celebration of the mill's success her skirts were caught in a
turbine and she was thrown into a support pillar, killing her
instantly. Many visitors have since reported hearing sounds and
seeing the ghost of a young woman at the mill.
Unfortunately,
such accidents were common occurrences at the Atlas No.3 Coal
Mine near Drumheller, Alberta. The public is now welcome to
visit the mine and experience everyday mining life, but are given a
fair warning of what they might encounter. Lurking among the rusty
coal cars and the discarded mining equipment are the wandering
souls of miners killed in gruesome accidents at the mine.
Visit these haunted heritage sites if you
dare!