True, North, Strong and Haunted

Ghosts and goblins are everywhere in Canada — and we’re not talking about those cute characters running from house to house on Halloween. From coast to coast, Canada has hundreds of building and public spaces where spirits are said to wander and chances are good that there’s one not too far from where you are now. While not everyone believes in the paranormal, some reports are just too convincing to deny. Witnesses describe eerie sounds, incomprehensible visions and even unexplained emotions when they walk into a room.

If you’re brave enough to see for yourself, we have a list of seven of the most haunted places in Canada. (Prepare to feel your skin crawl.)

Tranquille Sanatorium, near Kamloops, BC

Often referred to as “the most haunted place in Canada,” the Tranquille Sanatorium was built in 1907 to house tuberculosis patients. It was later used as a hospital for people with mental illness until it closed in 1983. Hundreds of people died on the premises and it seems the spirits of some have never left. Visitors claim to see a mother crying for her child on the sixth and eighth floors while others have reported hearing the voices of kids playing in the children’s ward or seeing bright orbs near the main entrance. Below the buildings is a series of underground tunnels where disembodied voices are often heard.

Photo from Flickr by Allison Hill

Prairies – Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff Alberta

Guests and staff alike have reported paranormal activity at one of Canada’s poshest hotels. It is believed to be haunted by several ghosts, including an entire family murdered in room 873, as well as a bride who fell down the hotel staircase on her wedding day. She haunts the picturesque hotel, dancing alone in one of the ballrooms. A bellhop named Sam Macauley, who died in 1976, has been seen dressed in his uniform walking through walls and even helping the guests.

Photo from Flickr by Norio NAKAYAMA

Fort Henry, Kingston Ontario

This strategic stronghold was built during the war of 1812 to fight off American advances. Today it is a national historic site, as well as a mecca of paranormal activity. Among the spirits observed on-site is the Wandering Ghost, an unknown soldier who, as his name suggests, is often seen wandering the halls. Another is John “Gunner” Smith, a rifleman who died when his gun malfunctioned and fire back on him. He has been seen lying injured on the dirt crying out for help. Not all the ghosts are former soldiers. Nils von Schultz, a leader of the failed American invasion was hanged at the fort in 1938 and still haunts “Commanders Room 3” where he moves objects around the room, opens and closes doors and makes visitors feel faint as they enter.

Photo from Flickr by Dennis Jarvis

Ontario – Bytown Museum, Ottawa

The oldest stone building in the nation’s capital is also one of its most haunted. Officially, it houses the history of Ottawa; unofficially, it is home to numerous spirits, including Colonel John By, the builder of the Ottawa canal, and his assistant General Duncan McNab. Visitors and staff have reported hearing footsteps, babies crying and male voices yelling “get out.” Others have seen lights and TVs inexplicably turning on and off and strange messages left on computer screens. Some have even claimed they’ve been physically pushed when no one was around.

Photo from Flickr by shankar s.

Quebec – Plains of Abraham, Quebec City, Quebec

In 1759, French and British soldiers fought for control of New France on this historic field, now called Battlefields Park. Hundreds of men died in the battle. But while the fighting ended more than 300 years ago, visitors still report smelling canon smoke and seeing soldiers in fortifications and tunnels around the park. Some even claim they’ve bumped into the soldiers.

Photo from Flickr by Harvey Barrison

West Point Lighthouse Inn, West Point, PEI

William MacDonald became this lighthouse’s first keeper in 1876. After his death in 1934, he is believed to have taken up residence at the Inn next door and is now affectionately known as Willie. Visitors have also reported seeing a flaming ship out at sea, believed to be a pirate ship that sailed the waters in 1786. Local legend has it the ship’s crew made a deal with the devil and was doomed to sail the seas for eternity.

Photo from Flickr by Michael Sprague

Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

This lighthouse is said to be haunted by a woman named Margaret. Legend has it that Margaret lost her children in a shipwreck in the 1800s and her husband later slipped, fell off the nearby rocks and died. Heart-broken, Margaret returned to the site and took her own life. Visitors claim they often see Margaret in her blue dress, on the cliffs, looking as if she is ready to jump. Others have reported having actual conversations with her.

Photo from Flickr by Paul