List of reportedly haunted locations in Canada explained
This is a list of locations in Canada which are reported to be haunted. Many have been featured by television programs such as Creepy Canada, The Girly Ghosthunters and Mystery Hunters. It is in alphabetical order by province or territory, then by the name of the location.
Alberta
- Banff Springs Hotel in Banff National Park is a reported location of multiple hauntings, including the ghosts of a young bride, bellman and a Haunted room no.873 (now sealed and combined with room no.875, but underlines of the door and lights above the door place remain visible and a ghost still supposedly haunts the room).[1] [2] [3]
- The Bowman Arts Centre in Lethbridge is reported to be haunted by the ghost of a young Chinese girl who was beaten to death in the women's restroom after being mistaken for a boy in traditional Chinese attire.[1]
- The now-decommissioned Charles Camsell Hospital is regarded as one of Alberta's most haunted buildings. A former Jesuit College turned tuberculosis sanatorium, it was visited by the group Paranormal Explorers in 2005.[4]
- Deane House in Calgary is reportedly haunted. It was built in 1906, and served as the official residence of Richard Burton Deane, the Superintendent of the Royal North West Mounted Police.[1] It was featured on Creepy Canada.
- Dunvegan Provincial Park in Fairview. Hauntings include a woman who perished in a snowstorm while searching for her husband, a priest sitting at his desk in the rectory and a barefoot woman dressed in a long white cloak wandering around the bridge.[5]
- The Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre is a palliative care centre that is speculated to be a site of multiple hauntings.[4]
- The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton is reported to be haunted, including a spectral horse that was dropped dead during the 1914 pouring of the building's foundation.[4]
- The Firkins House of Fort Edmonton Park is considered to be the home of a ventriloquist doll that suddenly materializes in cupboards, as well as a spectral small boy.[4] It was featured on Creepy Canada.
- Frank Slide in Crowsnest Pass was the site of a massive rockslide in 1903 that claimed 76 lives. Several of their bodies were never recovered.[1]
- The old Grace Hospital in Calgary is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a woman named Maudine Riley, who died in childbirth, and whose family was believed to own the land when the hospital was being constructed. The hospital is still in operation.[1]
- La Bohème Restaurant Bed and Breakfast in Edmonton. According to some employees, it is haunted by the spirit of a former owner's wife who was murdered in a jealous rage.[4]
- McKay Avenue School in downtown Edmonton is a museum that previously served as a school. It was the scene of the first two legislative sessions of the province. One particular entity is the spirit of a worker who perished in a fall during the construction of the building.[4]
- Mystic Manor in High River. Built in 1905, this Queen Anne style mansion appeared as Lana Lang's house in the 1983 movie Superman III. Now it has been converted into an immersive paranormal experience. Tours of the house are led by a psychic medium and utilize state-of-the-art ghost hunting tech.
- The old Princess Theatre in Edmonton is claimed to be haunted by a spectral bride who committed suicide by hanging in the 1920s after being cast off by her loved one.[4]
- Strathcona Museum and Archives is a former RCMP detachment that is considered to be haunted.[4]
- The abandoned Taber Hospital in Taber.[1]
- Walterdale Playhouse in the district of Old Strathcona, Edmonton is reportedly haunted, most notably by the ghost of "Walt," who was an old volunteer firefighter.[4] [6]
British Columbia
- British Columbia Penitentiary in New Westminster. The former penitentiary was active for 102 years, until decommissioned during the 1980s. Little of the building's remnants are left, save for the Boot Hill graveyard.
- Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria. This historic mansion was constructed in the late 1800s as a family residence for the wealthy Scottish coal baron Robert Dunsmuir and his wife Joan. Robert died in April 1889, 17 months before construction on the castle was completed, and his sons Alexander and James took over the role of finishing the castle. Ghost sightings have been reported at this location.[7] [3]
- The Empress Hotel in downtown Victoria. One of the oldest hotels in the British Columbian capital, it was designed by Francis Rattenbury and opened in 1908. Undergoing two expansions (the first was in 1910-1912 and the second was in 1928), it welcomed several prominent personalities such as kings, queens, and movie personalities of the 1900s. However, the existence of multiple paranormal activities is possible, most notably the ghosts of the hotel's designer (who was murdered in 1935), a maid on the 6th floor, and a construction worker who killed himself.[7]
- The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in Downtown Vancouver. Opened in 1939, it is touted as one of Canada's grand railway hotels. It is allegedly haunted by a "lady in red", which is also said by believers to be the ghost of a Vancouver socialite named Jennie Pearl Cox.[7]
- Hatley Castle in Colwood. This castle, now home to the public Royal Roads University, is considered to be haunted by a parlor maid named Annabelle, and James Dunsmuir's son, James Dunsmuir Jr.[7] [8] It was featured by Creepy Canada.
- Hycroft Manor, a mansion in the upscale Vancouver neighborhood of Shaughnessy.[7]
- New Westminster Secondary School in New Westminster. One of the largest high schools in British Columbia, it witnessed the drowning of a boy in the basement pool in the early 1970s. That boy is claimed to haunt the high school.[7]
- The Old Spaghetti Factory in the historic district of Gastown, Vancouver, is claimed to be haunted. Most notable is a phantom tram conductor that supposedly appears in an old trolley within the restaurant.[7]
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
- Acadia University in Wolfville. An apparitional Baptist girl who found out about her pregnancy in the 19th century hanged herself in "The well", a large open area on the second floor (four-long) surrounded by banisters and under a candle light. Her ghost is most often seen by faculty staff members on the back stairwell at Seminary House's campus. Other paranormal activities are people having strange visions in this location, lights that turn on and off by themselves as well as doors opening and closing on their own, light anomalies, disembodied voices, objects moving by themselves and strange unexplained noises.[16]
- All Saints Cathedral in Halifax. This church is allegedly haunted by one of the former deans. He is mostly standing at the altar.[17]
- Bedford Basin in Halifax.[18] This site is reportedly haunted by spirits of Native Canadians, French, British and Canadian soldiers and family members. There are touches, pushes and pulls by invisible presences, light anomalies, apparitional footsteps, shadowy figures disembodied voices and other unexplained noises.
- Citadel Hill in Halifax.[19] Its legend is about a ghost of a woman named Cassie Allen. She intended to marry a sergeant in the early 1900s. On their wedding day, her fiancé fatally shot himself because he was already married to a woman who resided in Bermuda's asylum.[20]
- Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island. This massive fortress, constructed during the 1700s, was featured by Creepy Canada.
- Seal Island, an island on the outermost extreme of Southwestern Nova Scotia, in Municipalité Argyle in Yarmouth County. There is a local legend of a ghost from a shipwreck during 1891, the SS Ottawa. A stewardess named Annie Lindsey was believed drowned when her lifeboat overturned. She was buried beside the East End church where her grave marker can still be seen today.[21] Some, however, believe that when the coffin was later disinterred, it showed evidence that she was buried alive. Her spirit is said to haunt the Seal Island villages.
- Young Teazer at Mahone Bay. Paranormal incidents have been reported by witnesses since it sunk on June 27, 1813. This ghostly burning schooner is seen by mariners on this bay. It is most often seen by visitors near the anniversary of this ship's fatal explosion in its historical location. Most witness reports state once seen it then just vanishes. It was featured by Creepy Canada.
Ontario
- Welland Canal, Bridge 13 in Welland. This bridge is said to be haunted by canal workers who perished during its construction, and no less than 7 people who have died trying to scale the bridge towers.
- Albion Falls in Hamilton. It was featured by Creepy Canada.
- Algonquin Provincial Park in South Algonquin. Tom Thomson's spirit allegedly wanders through this wilderness. It was featured by Mystery Hunters and Creepy Canada.
- Bytown Museum in Ottawa. This building is said to be haunted by Colonel John By, the builder of the canal, and his assistant General Duncan McNab. It was featured by Creepy Canada and The Girly Ghosthunters.
- Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.[22]
- Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.[23]
- Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It was one of Canada's strongholds during the War of 1812.[24] It was featured by Creepy Canada, The Girly Ghosthunters, and "Knock Knock Ghost".
- Fort Henry National Historic Site in Kingston. It was featured by Creepy Canada, The Girly Ghosthunters, and "Knock Knock Ghost."
- Gibraltar Point Lighthouse on Toronto Islands. The first lighthouse keeper, John Paul Radelmuller, was murdered by soldiers from nearby Fort York looking for bootlegged beer on January 2, 1815. These soldiers were charged with murder, but were eventually acquitted. A coffin was found in 1893 buried in the sand with a jawbone in it, however, it is not clear whether this was part of the lighthouse keeper's remains or not.[3] It was featured by Creepy Canada.
- Grand Theatre in London. Ambrose Small's apparition reputedly roams this theatre. It was featured by Mystery Hunters, The Girly Ghosthunters, and "Knock Knock Ghost."
- Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.[25]
- Keefer Mansion in Thorold. It was featured by Creepy Canada.
- Kingston Penitentiary in Kingston. It was featured by Creepy Canada.
- Mackenzie Inn in Kirkfield. It was featured by Creepy Canada.
- Mather-Walls House in Kenora. It was featured by Creepy Canada.
- Ottawa Jail Hostel in Ottawa. It was featured by Creepy Canada, The Girly Ghosthunters, Mystery Hunters and "Knock Knock Ghost."
- Screaming Tunnel in Niagara Falls.
- Old Fort Erie in Fort Erie. It was featured by Ghost Adventures and "Knock Knock Ghost".
- Buck Hill in Round Lake, Ontario.
- Texas Road in Amherstburg.
- Weston & Highway 7 in Vaughan. This site is allegedly haunted by a 19th-century little girl who lost her life in a fire.
- Whitby Junction Station in Whitby. Now an art gallery, it is said to be haunted by the former telegraph operator murdered at the railway station.[26]
- Windermere House in Windermere.[27]
- Ruthven National Historic Park in Cayuga. It was featured by Knock Knock Ghost.
- The Towers Building (Scottish Rite) in Hamilton. It was featured by Knock Knock Ghost.
- St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital in St. Thomas. It was featured by Knock Knock Ghost.
Prince Edward Island
- Ghost Ship of Northumberland Strait is described as a beautiful schooner that has three masts (sometimes four masts, as reports vary) with pure white sails, all of which become completely engulfed in flames as onlookers watch.[28] There never seems to be a predetermined place for where the ship will appear. Sightings have occurred throughout the seasons, but seem to be more prevalent from September to November.[29] These visions are also apparent before a northeast wind, and folklore has it that this brilliant ghost ship is a forewarning of a storm.
- The Kings Playhouse in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island is said to be haunted by a naval captain and other spirits lost at sea. Originally built in the 1880s, the Playhouse served as a townhall and recreational facility. After a devastating fire in 1983, the theatre was rebuilt, but the hauntings continued. Spirits are said to often be seen near the stage, in the upstairs hallway, or heard whistling from afar. It was featured by Creepy Canada.
Quebec
Saskatchewan
- Assiniboia Club in Regina. It was featured by Creepy Canada.
- Darke Hall in Regina. It was featured by Creepy Canada.
- Fort Battleford in Battleford.[37]
- Fort San in Fort Qu'Appelle.
- Government House in Regina.[38]
- Gravelbourg School in Gravelbourg.[39]
- Hopkins Dining Parlour in Moose Jaw. It was featured by Creepy Canada.
- Moosehead Inn on Kenosee Lake.[40]
- Marr Residence in Saskatoon. It was featured by Creepy Canada.
- St. Louis, a village near Prince Albert, in which believers claim witnessed a railroad accident that killed an entire family, and the suicide of the guilt-ridden engineer responsible for the mishap.[3] [10]
- St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon.[41]
- Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford. The original buildings of the hospital from the early 20th century, in the adjacent census subdivision of the North Battleford Crown Colony, still stand and had witnessed the most distressing conditions brought forth by extreme overcrowding.[10] The fate of the old structures remain unknown,[42] as the newer and more modern hospital was opened on March 14, 2019.[43]
- Souris Valley Mental Health Hospital, also known as Weyburn Mental Hospital, a now-demolished (since 2009) institution for mentally insane in Weyburn. One of the first institutions for such purpose in the 1930s, it was notorious for using cutting edge experimental medical treatments for people with mental health issues, including some of the controversial LSD treatments in Canada.[10]
See also
Notes and References
- News: Haunted Alberta: Ghost Stories From All Around The Province (PHOTOS) . . 29 January 2019.
- Web site: The Ghosts of Fairmont Banff Springs. 12 October 2017. avenuecalgary.com. 23 April 2018.
- News: 5 of Canada's most haunted places . . . 9 September 2019.
- News: Haunted Edmonton: 9 Spooky Places That Will Scare Your Socks Off . . Butterfield, Michelle . 29 January 2019.
- Web site: The 17 Most Haunted Places in Canada - Haunted Rooms America . 3 September 2017 .
- Web site: Edmonton . Travel Writers Tales . 2008-02-01 . 2013-12-14.
- News: Top 10 Haunted Places In B.C. . . 30 October 2018.
- Web site: Hatley Castle - Vancouver Island Paranormal Society. Vancouver Island Paranormal Society. 23 April 2018.
- Web site: The B.C. pen's graveyard's haunted secrets . CanWest MediaWorks . 2008-01-21 . 2015-08-11.
- News: Top 10 Most Haunted Places On The Canadian Prairies . 20 October 2013 . The Huffington Post Alberta. 9 September 2019.
- News: Local haunts: Paranormal investigator names Manitoba's top spots . 29 October 2015 . . . 9 September 2019.
- https://travelmanitoba.com/blog/6-spooky-spots-explore-in-manitoba/
- Web site: Haunted Inns by the Sea. coastalliving.com. 23 April 2018.
- http://www.superstitioustimes.com/newman-wine-vaults-haunted-by-its-secretive-past-and-a-ghost-named-john/ Newman Wine Vaults haunted by its secretive past and a ghost named John – The Superstitious Times
- Web site: The Mysterious Valley of the Headless Corpses - Mysterious Universe. Mysterious Universe. 9 March 2020 .
- Web site: Is Seminary House Really Haunted? - CAUL - CBUA. caul-cbua.ca.
- Web site: All Saints Cathedral - Haunted Places. HauntedPlaces.org.
- https://macleans.ca/news/canada/5-haunted-places-in-halifax/
- Web site: 5 Haunted Places in Halifax That You HAVE to Experience . 11 October 2016 .
- Web site: Creepy Canadian haunts where tourists might encounter a ghost . 28 October 2015 .
- http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/wrecks/wrecks/shipwrecks.asp?ID=3735 "Ottawa-1891", On the Rocks Shipwreck Database, Nova Scotia Museum
- https://michaelkleen.com/2018/10/24/fairmont-chateau-lauriers-invisible-guests/ Fairmont Château Laurier’s Invisible Guests – M.A. Kleen
- https://www.torontoghosts.org/index.php/the-city-of-toronto/public-buildings/111-the-royal-york-hotel-?showall=1 The Royal York Hotel
- Web site: Ghost Tours of Niagara . The Friends of Fort George . 2014-04-01.
- Web site: 5 Ghosts Haunting The Sports World. 15 May 2008. mentalfloss.com. 23 April 2018.
- Web site: Station Gallery, Whitby, Ont., March 18, 2017 . . theparanormalseekers.ca . March 30, 2019.
- https://sideroadsofmuskoka.wordpress.com/fall/secrets-of-windermere/ Secrets of Windermere | Sideroads of Muskoka
- Book: Sherwood, Roland H.. The Phantom Ship of Northumberland Strait And Other Mysteries Of The Sea. Lancelot Press. 1975. 0889990417.
- Hamilton. William B.. Folklore: Ghostly Encounters of the Northumberland Kind. The Island Magazine. 33–35.
- Web site: The Top 10 Things To Do in Montreal 2018. thingstodo.viator.com. 23 April 2018.
- https://www.creepyquebec.com/2020/08/16/ghost-at-chateau-frontenac/ Ghost of Château Frontenac – Creepy Québec
- https://spookycanada.wordpress.com/2017/10/29/motherhouse-convent-concordia-university/ Motherhouse Convent, Concordia University | Spooky Canada
- Web site: Tournée des lieux les plus hantés de l'Université McGill. 30 April 2015. journalmetro.com. 23 April 2018.
- http://www.hauntedhovel.com/plainsofabraham.html Are the Plains of Abraham Haunted?
- https://www.fairmontmoments.com/guest-stories/spooktacular-tales-of-ghosts-from-fairmont "Spooktacular" Tales of Ghosts From Fairmont: Fairmont Moments
- Web site: 'Haunted' church ravaged by ghost hunters - CBC News. cbc.ca. 23 April 2018.
- Web site: Fort Battleford National Historic Site . Virtual Saskatchewan . 2014-04-01.
- Web site: Old Government House is a little haunt on the Prairies. January 24, 2008. Toronto Star. Torstar. September 24, 2008.
- Web site: The Most Haunted Places in Saskatchewan, Canada | Haunted Rooms America. 17 October 2017 .
- saskhauntings.blogpspot.com/2012/04/moosehead-inn.html
- Web site: Saskatoon Specials - Saskatoon's Most Haunted - October 17, 2010. www.saskatoonspecials.ca. 23 April 2018.
- Web site: Last call for old Saskatchewan Hospital. Brown. Angela. battlefordsNOW North Battleford, Saskatchewan News, Sports, Weather, Obituaries, Classifieds. en.
- Web site: Grand Opening of the New Saskatchewan Hospital. www.saskhealthauthority.ca.