Ghosts of the Great North
In today's edition of The Mirror Watches, we're diving into five spine tingling accounts, the sinister secrets of Winnipeg's so called "Demon Hotel", the Spectral warning of the Crisis Apparition in Sydney, Nova Scotia, that lingering presence at Hillcrest House in St. Catherines, the Nightmare House, in Newfoundland and the unsettling energy within Calgary's Riley Park Health Centre. Each of these tales peer into the thin veil between the living and the dead...just be careful how long you stare. After all you never know who's staring back from the other side of the mirror.
The "Demon Hotel", Winnipeg, Manitoba
This was a real apartment building that was located in Winnipeg, Manitoba at 44 Hargrave Street. The building was infamous for its eerie reputation and alleged haunting. The building is gone today, having been demolished but it still remains a chilling part of local legend.
It was a three-story red brick apartment block which was built around 1910. The building featured bay windows and a mosaic tiled lobby that had worn stone steps. It was originally a residential building which eventually became abandoned and derelict in the later decades. Locals often referred to it as the Demon Hotel which was due to its ominous appearance and unsettling atmosphere. The building was eventually torn down but the legend persists in the city's paranormal lore.
While the nickname is not official, it did emerge from street gossip and urban legends that surround the creepy building and its alleged supernatural events. Over the years there have been numerous reports of strange noises, unexplained footsteps, feelings of dread or being watched, shadowy figures, and disembodied voices. Visitors of the building, which includes squatters have described the interior as a maze of staircases and decaying infrastructure. Many of them had claimed to experience paranormal encounters especially in the basement where local kids would often gather.
The building has become a fixture for the cities haunted folklore, and often mentioned alongside other sites such as Fort Gary Hotel.
It was a three-story red brick apartment block which was built around 1910. The building featured bay windows and a mosaic tiled lobby that had worn stone steps. It was originally a residential building which eventually became abandoned and derelict in the later decades. Locals often referred to it as the Demon Hotel which was due to its ominous appearance and unsettling atmosphere. The building was eventually torn down but the legend persists in the city's paranormal lore.
While the nickname is not official, it did emerge from street gossip and urban legends that surround the creepy building and its alleged supernatural events. Over the years there have been numerous reports of strange noises, unexplained footsteps, feelings of dread or being watched, shadowy figures, and disembodied voices. Visitors of the building, which includes squatters have described the interior as a maze of staircases and decaying infrastructure. Many of them had claimed to experience paranormal encounters especially in the basement where local kids would often gather.
The building has become a fixture for the cities haunted folklore, and often mentioned alongside other sites such as Fort Gary Hotel.
Crisis Apparition and other Stories, Sydney, Nova Scotia
A Crisis Apparition refers to a chilling ghost story, that is rooted in local folklore. It always involves a spectral figure arriving at a moment of death or danger. while it is not widely documented, it's reoccurring theme that is often used in ghost tours and oral traditions.
This is a type of ghostly encounter when a person sees or senses a loved one at the exact moment a person is dying or is in danger from afar. They are often considered a final farewell or some sort of supernatural alert. This is connected to Sydney, Nova Scotia and more commonly in the North-End District which is known for its colonial architecture and haunted past.
One of the most famous stories of a crisis apparition is a story where a woman saw her sailor brother standing silently in her home only to learn that he died tragically at sea at the exact time she saw him in her house.
The story is often shared during the Ghosts and Legends of Historic Sydney walking tours which explores haunted homes, old jails, and sites of grisly murders. Sydney's ghost stories are usually shaped in maritime history involving sailor's, tragic drowning, and spectral farewells.
Some of the other places on the walking tour that is mentioned are the Cossit House Museum built in 1787, it is one of the oldest buildings in Sydney. This Georgian style home is located in Sydney's North-End District. It was constructed by Reverend Ranna Cossit, who was the first Anglican minister in Cape Breton. Who arrived from New Hampshire after the American Revolution.
He had been promised a house and church by the Governor, but upon his arrival neither had been built, so he financed the house himself and was later reimbursed by the government. It was occupied by him, his wife, and their thirteen children. Visitors have reported eerie sensations, unexplained noises, and feelings of being watched especially in the upstairs rooms and basement.
The Old Jail Basement is another private home in the district, which was once used as a jail in the early 1800s. The basement of this home had been a holding area for prisoners, which included one of Sydney's most notorious murder cases, the Flahaven murder of 1833.
Visitors and residents have described cold spots, unexplained noises, and feelings of dread. Some have claimed to see apparitions or heard whispers through the stone walls.
The streets in the district are also haunted, passing places that once had skeletons in the cellar, bodies in the floorboards, a murderous mayor, and a triple hanging site. All reported to be haunted.
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A legendary haunted residence tied to one of the most disturbing ghost stories in the world. Though the houses exact location is unknown the tale of the haunting was first reported in 1908, and continues to unsettle readers and ghost enthusiasts alike.
The story is often shared during the Ghosts and Legends of Historic Sydney walking tours which explores haunted homes, old jails, and sites of grisly murders. Sydney's ghost stories are usually shaped in maritime history involving sailor's, tragic drowning, and spectral farewells.
Some of the other places on the walking tour that is mentioned are the Cossit House Museum built in 1787, it is one of the oldest buildings in Sydney. This Georgian style home is located in Sydney's North-End District. It was constructed by Reverend Ranna Cossit, who was the first Anglican minister in Cape Breton. Who arrived from New Hampshire after the American Revolution.
He had been promised a house and church by the Governor, but upon his arrival neither had been built, so he financed the house himself and was later reimbursed by the government. It was occupied by him, his wife, and their thirteen children. Visitors have reported eerie sensations, unexplained noises, and feelings of being watched especially in the upstairs rooms and basement.
The Old Jail Basement is another private home in the district, which was once used as a jail in the early 1800s. The basement of this home had been a holding area for prisoners, which included one of Sydney's most notorious murder cases, the Flahaven murder of 1833.
Visitors and residents have described cold spots, unexplained noises, and feelings of dread. Some have claimed to see apparitions or heard whispers through the stone walls.
The streets in the district are also haunted, passing places that once had skeletons in the cellar, bodies in the floorboards, a murderous mayor, and a triple hanging site. All reported to be haunted.
Hillcrest House, St. Catherine's Ontario
Located in St. Catherine's Ontario, Hillcrest House is rumored to be one of the city's most haunted locations, which is tied to over twenty suspicious deaths linked to the property. Although these details are scarce it has become the focal point of the local ghost lore and Halloween themed tours.
The house is believed to be in the North-End of St. Catherine's and is a historic residential building that could possibly date back to the early 20th century. The locals often call this house Hillcrest House, but this could be informal or perhaps a tour based name. The house itself is known for it's eerie atmosphere, and long history of unexplained deaths.
The house is believed to be in the North-End of St. Catherine's and is a historic residential building that could possibly date back to the early 20th century. The locals often call this house Hillcrest House, but this could be informal or perhaps a tour based name. The house itself is known for it's eerie atmosphere, and long history of unexplained deaths.
It is privately owned, but does occasionally open for ghost tours, especially in the Halloween season. It is during this season that often includes adult only sessions after 10pm. This house has been said to be linked to unexplained and suspicious deaths, but there are no official reports to confirm the number. The stories are simply passed down through local lore and tour guides.
There have been reports of apparitions that are seen in windows and hallways, disembodied voices and footsteps. Sudden cold spots and feelings of dread. While visitors during ghost tours have also reported other paranormal experiences which include shadowy figures, and hearing knocks or whispers.
There have been reports of apparitions that are seen in windows and hallways, disembodied voices and footsteps. Sudden cold spots and feelings of dread. While visitors during ghost tours have also reported other paranormal experiences which include shadowy figures, and hearing knocks or whispers.
Nightmare House, St. John's Newfoundland
It was first reported in the Evening Telegram, on January 1st, 1908, under the title "A Horrible Haunting in St. John's. This is what we know, a gentleman, his wife and family had newly returned to St. John's from the United States, and had leased the house for the winter. The family had paid for the house for three months in advance, and were confident that they found a quiet and sturdy home.
The house which was located somewhere on Queens Road, had been described as unremarkable, and was well-suited for their needs. However, the peaceful exterior masked a deeply disturbing presence.
On the families first night in the home, all was fine as they settled until night fell. That was when the atmosphere in the house had shifted dramatically. They had a feeling of dread. It was on this night that the wife had woken to a sound so horrifying it denied rational explanation. Scratching coming from inside the walls that sounded like nails on a chalkboard. It was shortly after that they swept the back step to discover, it wasn't a mere stone, but an engraved tombstone, that was repurposed as a step. That uneasy feeling worsened, and it was as if they were being watched in every room, the children often staying at friends houses, to avoid the house at night.
The house which was located somewhere on Queens Road, had been described as unremarkable, and was well-suited for their needs. However, the peaceful exterior masked a deeply disturbing presence.
On the families first night in the home, all was fine as they settled until night fell. That was when the atmosphere in the house had shifted dramatically. They had a feeling of dread. It was on this night that the wife had woken to a sound so horrifying it denied rational explanation. Scratching coming from inside the walls that sounded like nails on a chalkboard. It was shortly after that they swept the back step to discover, it wasn't a mere stone, but an engraved tombstone, that was repurposed as a step. That uneasy feeling worsened, and it was as if they were being watched in every room, the children often staying at friends houses, to avoid the house at night.
Yet one night, as he slept in his room, one of the sons woke to find a dark figure in his room. Thinking it was his brother he turned over and went back to sleep. When he woke he found his clothing thrown all around the room, and soon realized his brother wasn't in his room at all. The family soon after seen a red orb drifting down the stairs through the air before vanishing just as suddenly.
But, when a family friend had been grabbed by invisible hands, and heard an inhuman moan in her ear, the family were terrified, and when one of the boys fell asleep in the living room, and woke up to see a freshly dug grave in the living room floor, the family decided to seek help. So, the called a priest who came over to bless the house. However, after exploring the upstairs, he advised them to leave the house at once. They ignored the warning.
However, a few days after that as they slept in their beds, the evil presence in the house went nuts. They had woken to a racket coming from the main floor of the house. When they went to investigate, they found the wooden hatch in the floor lifting and slamming shut all on its own, then their bedroom doors flew open and slammed shut, while something was pounding on the walls around them. This continued to morning, and then the family left leaving everything behind and never returning.
Riley Park Health Centre, Calgary, Alberta
Located at 1402 8 Avenue, NW Calgary, Alberta within the Hill Hurst Community near Riley Park. For decades this hospital was used as a maternity hospital called Grace Hospital. It is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a woman known as Maudine Riley, who is said to appear in the hospital cradling a baby in the old delivery room. With the buildings history it adds an eerie depth to the legend.
Grace Hospital was originally opened by the Salvation Army, and it was built on the former land of the Riley family ranch which included Riley Park and dated back to the 1800s. Mr. Riley was a prominent rancher and politician who played a huge role in the early development of Calgary.
Grace Hospital was originally opened by the Salvation Army, and it was built on the former land of the Riley family ranch which included Riley Park and dated back to the 1800s. Mr. Riley was a prominent rancher and politician who played a huge role in the early development of Calgary.
The spirit in the hospital is believed to be Maudine Riley, who is possibly symbolic or just a folklore figure that is tied to the maternity history. Visitors however, have claimed to see apparitions of a woman cradling a baby in the former delivery room. There are also unexplained noises and feelings of unease in certain places within the building.
It is listed as one of Alberta's most haunted locations. It is often mentioned in local Halloween features, ghost story round-ups, and it all contributes to Calgary's reputation as a paranormal hotspot.
So, from coast to coast, these haunted locations begin to remind us that Canada's shadows run deep. Whether it's the demonic whispers from a Winnipeg apartment building, a spectral warning in Nova Scotia, or a lingering sorrow from Hillcrest House, or the tormented walls of the nightmare house or unsettling stillness of RIley Park Health Centre. Each story leaves behind way more than mere goosebumps, they reflect the fears we try to bury and the mysteries we dare to chase. Just remember: when you peer into the unknown, the unknown might just peer back. After all, mirrors don't just reflect your face they echo your fate.
It is listed as one of Alberta's most haunted locations. It is often mentioned in local Halloween features, ghost story round-ups, and it all contributes to Calgary's reputation as a paranormal hotspot.
So, from coast to coast, these haunted locations begin to remind us that Canada's shadows run deep. Whether it's the demonic whispers from a Winnipeg apartment building, a spectral warning in Nova Scotia, or a lingering sorrow from Hillcrest House, or the tormented walls of the nightmare house or unsettling stillness of RIley Park Health Centre. Each story leaves behind way more than mere goosebumps, they reflect the fears we try to bury and the mysteries we dare to chase. Just remember: when you peer into the unknown, the unknown might just peer back. After all, mirrors don't just reflect your face they echo your fate.
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