Haunted Thrills in Niagara-on-the-Lake
WORDS BY ANDREW HIND
In Niagara-on-the-Lake, there are numerous locations where the fabric between our world and the afterlife seems to fray. In these places, ghosts and the living are said to mingle.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is the perfect destination for a Halloween-season escape.
“We can’t promise you’ll have an otherworldly encounter, but they seem to happen frequently at this time of year,” says Kyle Upton, who runs Niagara Ghost Tours (tickets available at friendsoffortgeorge.ca/ghost-tours/) and, for the past two decades, has escorted wide-eyed tourists through darkened Fort George with only lanterns to guide their way. “There’s an unusual amount of ghostly activity both at the fort and in the town itself.”
Niagara-on-the-Lake is the perfect destination for a Halloween-season escape.
Fort George, which was the scene of fighting and devastation during the War of 1812, is said to be haunted by dozens of ghosts. The most famous, according to Upton, is a young girl named Sarah Anne. “She takes an active interest in tours, following us from building to building, playing peek-a-boo with visitors, making eye contact, and playing mischievous pranks. She really connects with people.”
Ghosts are hardly confined to Fort George, however. Spirits cling to the historic buildings of Niagara-on-the-Lake like vines to mortar.
The Ghost Walks (ghostwalks.com) host lantern-lit guided tours through Niagara-on-the-Lake’s darkened and quiet streets, weaving entertaining tales of history and haunts over the course of 90 minutes. Merely standing before a 200-year-old building, with shadows creeping upon you and hearing tales of murder, tragic death, and unearthly hauntings, is chillingly captivating.
One of the most popular stops is The Olde Angel Inn (oldeangelinn.com), said to be haunted by British officer Capt. Colin Swayze, who was stationed in Niagara-on-the-Lake during the War of 1812. According to legend, he was bayoneted by American soldiers in the Inn’s basement, and his spirit has haunted the building ever since.
“The ghosts seem to be unusually active in October,” says The Ghost Walks owner Daniel Cumerlato. “We can’t guarantee you’ll see a ghost, but unusual things do happen during many of our tours.”
As one of the authors of Ghosts of Niagara-on-the-Lake, I’m often asked which are my favourite spooky spots in town. Here are two family-friendly choices:
Pillar and Post (vintage-hotels.com): A wonderful place to stay, and the onsite restaurant, The Cannery (named because the building was once a fruit cannery), is top-notch. A spectral girl is said to make appearances before startled diners.
Fort Mississauga (223 Queen Street): You may have to dodge some golf balls as it’s in the middle of a golf course, and no, it hasn’t been restored like neighbouring Fort George, but Fort Mississauga is special nonetheless. Go there on a dark night and see if you don’t believe in ghosts. And it’s free!
