10 Images Of Ghostly Places In Canada
The world is a strange place. You know why? Because it’s filled with a number of mysterious, spooky, and creepy sites that both scare and fascinate us, at the same time. These places are surrounded by mysterious stories and legends that are passed on from one generation to another. Some of them date back to the ancient times, while others are comparatively recent, but it doesn’t make them any less interesting to mystery lovers. Just be warned – avoid reading this list in the evening, because the stories told here might keep you up all night!
10. L’ANSE AUX MEADOWS NORSE VILLAGE IN NEWFOUNDLAND
This Norse village located in Newfoundland is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is believed that it was settled around the year 1000. L’Anse Aux Meadows is the most well-known Viking settlement in the whole continent of North America. It’s connected with Leif Erikson’s Vinland colony that arrived at the continent at least 500 years before Christopher Columbus’s first arrival to the New World.
What’s so mysterious about this village? It’s the fact that at some point, the site was quickly abandoned. Archaeologists didn’t even find the signs of burials, tools, agriculture or animal pens there. Why did the Norse leave and didn’t populate the area? There are still no answers to this question.
9. BAYER’S LAKE MYSTERY WALLS IN HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
If you come to a hill overlooking Bayer’s Lake Business Park in Halifax, Nova Scotia, you can find a number of remains of stone constructions. To this day, no one knows who built them, when it happened, and with what purpose.
Bayer’s Lake Mystery Walls were discovered in 1991, during the development of the area. Since then, they were protected by Nova Scotia’s Special Places Act. Many archaeological groups visited this place to study its history, but none of the artifacts they found gave them the distinct idea of what these walls represented. According to the most popular opinion about the area, the constructions were used as part of fortification.
8. MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETERY, TORONTO
Mount Pleasant Cemetery was designated a National Historic Site in 2000. It’s a favorite place for a lot of residents of Toronto, from joggers to those, who like having slow strolls along cemeteries and see the places that serve as the last refuge to famous politicians, businessmen, athletes, and other people, whose activities were important for the history of the area.
But, before visiting this place too, think twice and remember the fact that the cemetery is also known for its paranormal activity. Electrical issues, weird light patterns, strange noises, and invisible forces affecting people are a few things that can creep you out.
7. SAINTE-FLAVIE IN QUEBEC
Yeah, I know what you’re thinking right now. These must be one of the weirdest statues ever found not only in Canada but also all over the world. This bizarre attraction, called “The Grand Gathering”, astonishes everyone, who comes to the shores of the St. Lawrence River. In reality, it’s nothing but a set of tide-sensitive statues made of wood by artist Marcel Gagnon.
The most unusual thing about these statues (apart from their weird look) is the fact that they are constantly changing due to the weather, as well as the rise and fall of the tide. Who knows what’s going to be left of them in the future, so hurry up, if you want to take a glimpse at them.
6. FAIRMONT EMPRESS ON VANCOUVER ISLAND
According to Reader’s Digest, Fairmont Empress is one of the most mysterious hotels in the whole world. A legend says that the hotel’s architect, Sir Francis Rattenbury, whose life was ended by his wife’s lover back in 1935, still wanders the halls of the hotel. But he’s not the only ghost dwelling the building. There’s also an apparition of Lizzie McGrath, a chambermaid, who passed away by falling in 1909. And, as if two ghosts aren’t enough, there’s also a senior woman in pajamas, who knocks in doors and leads guests to the elevator before disappearing into thin air.
So if you want to have some high tea, hear mysterious stories, and, perhaps, see a couple of ghosts, Fairmont Empress is your perfect destination!
5. DAWSON CITY, YUKON
A hidden gem of Canada, Dawson City in Yukon is another abandoned and (almost) forgotten place you should visit, if you like to tickle your nerves. Be sure to take a look at the paddlewheel graveyard that used to be very active in the past, delivering people and products to their destinations over the Yukon River. But, since overland transport got more popular, these paddlewheel boats were taken out of service and abandoned.
Now, this site is a haven for urban explorers and for those, who like visiting unusual places. Would you like to visit Dawson City or any other place from this list? Or do you have any other mysterious sites in mind? Let us know in the comments!
4. CROOKED BUSH IN SASKATCHEWAN
Just outside of Hafford, Saskatchewan, you can find a grove of twisting aspen trees, called Crooked Bush. The trees cover approximately 1.5 hectares, so you should take your time, taking a walk along the trails of this bizarre forest. Fortunately for visitors, the grove has a walking platform that will guide you and won’t let you get lost.
It’s still not clear why the trees in Crooked Bush have these weird shapes, twisting and turning towards all possible angles. Scientists suggest that it happened naturally, due to certain genetic mutations, although there are many other, more supernatural, explanations. Which one do you tend to believe more?
3. FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS IN ALBERTA
A beautiful castle, surrounded by the Canadian Rockies and located not far from the Banff National Park, Fairmont Banff Springs seems to be a perfect place to stay for some travelers. But, before booking accommodation there, you should certainly hear the story behind it. The mysterious story the castle’s staff probably won’t tell you.
In the 1920s, a young bride was climbing down the stairs in the castle, wearing her wedding dress, but she was startled by something, stumbled, and fell to death. Since she never realized her dream of getting married, the bride didn’t leave the place with peace and she’s still there, according to many visitors of the hotel, who saw her on the stairs and in the ballroom. And yes, she’s not the only ghost there…
2. PLAINS OF ABRAHAM IN QUEBEC
The Plains of Abraham is known as one of the most historical parks in Canada. Part of Quebec City, it saw a lot of fights between the British and French Empires, including the most important battle in the history of the country. It was the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759 that ended the lives of many soldiers from both sides.
Since then, the Plains of Abraham has been surrounded by mysterious stories told by people, who claim to have seen ghosts that looked like soldiers in the park. Do you think they’re right, or is it only the game of imagination?
1. STRANGE TUNNELS IN ONTARIO
The Niagara Region of Ontario is a place loved by a lot of travelers, but few of them know that it’s home to the so-called Screaming Tunnel. This limestone tunnel, located under a rail overpass, has a creepy story behind it. According to a local legend, if you light a match in its middle, you will hear a loud ghostly scream.
However, it’s not the only creepy tunnel in Ontario. There is also the Blue Ghost Tunnel, aka Merritton Tunnel. Located in Thorold, it’s also a limestone tunnel inhabited by not one, but several ghosts. However, travelers can’t explore it these days, since it was sealed off many years ago, because of its poor condition.
References: Slapped Ham, CBC, The Culture Trip, Amy’s Crypt, Slice, Atlas Obscura.