Hope you enjoy ️1. The house was home to the O’Reilly family for 125 years. When he became gravelly ill, to comfort him, his daughter Dolly would play the piano late into the night. It is believed that the boy’s spirit was then released and can be seen walking and playing around the lobby, before disappearing into the well. Johnson, a founding father of Victoria. Bastion Square and Helmcken Alley. Helmcken House, is one of the oldest residences in Victoria, and is believed to be haunted by Dr. Helmcken and his daughter. Formerly known as Fort Victoria, these are the grounds from which the city of Victoria grew. Between 9:30pm and 10pm is the most common time to catch a glimpse of her. Rogers Chocolates, located on Government Street in Victoria, is a National Historic Site and Victoria’s oldest and most haunted chocolate shop. She was given a proper burial, in order to appease her spirit and there have never been reports of her haunting. Others have seen white hands and figures near the large tree next to the building, and apparitions in the windows. Wicked Victoria (October 25, 2020) Wicked Victoria festival is one of the most popular Halloween events in the city and is held along Government St. between Yates and Humboldt. It is believed that in the 1850’s a prisoner was being transported when a guard beat him and he died in the alley. When BC joined Confederation in 1871 Victoria was promised a railway, but the terminus ended up in Vancouver instead. They’re closing out of an abundance of caution. The hotel is supposedly the site of very strong paranormal activity. Her severely beaten and shoeless body was found days later on the golf course by a caddie and showed signs of strangulation. Strange happenings at the Empress Hotel in Victoria. Look for him at the Parliament Buildings and The Empress Hotel. These range from ghostly sightings said to be of Miss Jane Wilson, elevators stopping at certain floors without anyone selecting them, and doors opening or closing on their own. Haunted BC: 5 Places In Victoria With Stories That Will Give You Chills. Two ghosts are said to be active in this former restaurant. May 1 to October 31: every night. Another mysterious incident saw the unexplained appearance of a child’s handprint on the mirror in the a corner of the store. The man, however, is said to still run down Fan Tan Alley, pushing people out of his way. Toward the back of the shop there is a set of stairs leading down to Langley Street. Hatley Castle was built in 1908 for Lieutenant Governor James Dunsmuir and his wife Laura. Chinatownhas many stories of ghosts and the supernatural. On  March 2, 1945, Emily died of another stroke. Built in 1939, many have said they’ve seen her, usually on the 14 th floor or ground floor lobby just roaming around. The house has been – at different times – a rooming home, a brothel, four different restaurants, and an erotic art gallery. A specter called “The Frenchman” appears outside on the corner of the street in October. Emily Carr came to stay as a patient, following a stroke. His opponent smashed a bottle and slashed Brady’s throat. Originally, the couple did not make milk chocolate, which Charles loathed, but the company began to make it after their deaths. Consider it sightseeing with a fun twist. Or perhaps the desecration of native burial sites released spirits that could not rest. Joan, the wife of Robert Dunsmuir, is thought to be one of the apparitions that appear. Helmcken Alley that leads onto Bastion Square, used to be the site of a jail, where those scheduled to be hanged were housed. Whatever the reason, Victoria’s spooky reputation has stuck around for years. Some think this was Mrs. Dunsmuir trying to prevent these young men from going to war, or perhaps she was searching for her departed soldier son. A ¥500 redemption fee is charged for each reward night redeemed unless you redeem on our app. Witnesses have reported dark figures lingering in the doorways of the convent or wandering through the grounds, as well as unexplained sounds like choral singing in the dead of night. Visitors report feeling dizzy, pressure in their chest, and even somebody pushing them to leave. Victoria locals say, often in a proud way, that their city is the most haunted in all British Columbia. Her husband was also missing and his body was found floating in the ocean near the golf course a month later. Hatley Castle is Victoria’s ‘movie star’, having stood in as X-Mansion in several X-Men films. Hey everyone! There may be more to Vancouver’s history than what meets the eye. The Victoria Golf Courseon scenic Beach Drive beside the ocean in Oak Bay is haunted by Doris Gravlin who was strangled there by her husband in 1936. The location of the original Roger’s, where Charles and Leah Rogers started making chocolates in the back of their grocery store in 1885. Built in the late 1800’s by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, Craigdarroch is now a National Historic Site. As one of the longest running community theatres in Western Canada, Langham Court has presented thousands of stunning stage performances since 1929. He was captured but eventually hanged himself. Operating since 1911, between 1942-1945 the hotel was run as a priory by a Catholic order. Prior to the provincial government buying the house, it was used as an arts centre. Ross Bay is one of the most visually arresting cemeteries in British Columbia, as well as the final resting place of Emily Carr and Sir Douglas, among many others. Revenue-wise Victoria is not like Savannah, Georgia where certain boutique properties like the Marshall House or 1790 have waiting lists mainly because of its history. The caretaker has arrived in the morning to hear mysterious noises and footsteps in the school but no trespassing alarms go off. The mansion changed hands several times since Miss Wilson’s death in 1946, with strange incidents having been reported at what is now known as Chateau Victoria. The chateau-like Empress Hotel has century-old guests who never check out properly. Visitors have also heard the bell toll mysteriously and there was even a report of (the busy spectr!) Secure and well lit, it became a popular rendezvous point for prostitutes and their clients. AbeBooks.com: Victoria's Most Haunted: Ghost Stories from BC's Historic Capital City (9781771512138) by Gibbs, Ian and a great selection of similar New, Used and … People have also reported seeing a woman in a white dress standing alone by a window in the ballroom. 55 people perished in the water nearby, making it the worst accident in Canadian transit history. Beautiful, charming Victoria is world renowned for its seaside attractions, flourishing gardens, and breathtaking ocean views. Formerly known as Evil Acres (which was situated in a warehouse in North Saanich), Monsters Haunted House is hands down the creepiest, bone … Some visitors report seeing Dr. Helmcken join his daughter at the piano. Cold spots and moving objects such as books in the library have also been reported. She sometimes plays havoc with motorists passing the golf course when she crosses the street and even enters their cars. Some say they have seen the ghosts of nuns on the grounds, which may be due to the original graveyard. That room, however, was demolished to make space for an elevator, leaving her lost in the hotel. Staff openly admit that this theater is actively haunted. Paranormal activities range from self-moving objects to a piano that plays by itself when no one’s around. William J. Pendray had built a soap factory on sacred Songhees burial land. The soap factory burned down the day it was set to open. Victoria locals say, often in a proud way, that their city is the most haunted in all British Columbia. This stately house was built by British Columbia’s first self-made coal magnate, Robert Dunsmuir, father of James Dunsmuir who now haunts Hatley Castle. People report a feeling of being watched, phones ringing at odd hours of the night, lights flickering, and a fire upstairs turning itself on. The Gate of Harmonious interest in Chinatown was built to scare away evil spirits. 7 Haunted Places You Can Visit In BC Looking for a scream this Halloween? © 2020 A division of Brenons Social Media, Thousands of British Columbians roll the dice with Trump/Biden online bets. Formerly called Hotel Douglas, the building was constructed in 1911 by a Chinese merchant. Shortly after that, a woman with fair skin and long dark hair was seen standing on the same rock morning after morning, repeating the behavior of the woman from the 1970’s. In the late 1800s, Market Square teemed with sailors and gold prospectors seeking adventure and fortune. Following a scandalous personal life that included a divorce, affair and apparent mistreatment of his former wife, the famous architect Francis Rattenbury escaped to England. Doors opening on their own. Many of the men who were hanged in the tree beside it still lie buried beneath its foundation. Photo: Jim Culp / Flickr. Dana Bowen | October 28, 2019 More. * The value of 1 reward night is the average price of the 10 stamps you collect. Her room was where the men’s washrooms are now in the James Bay Inn Pub. You can now even take a Google street view tour of the interior of the castle and perhaps see something other eyes have missed! Rest of year: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays. Many of the cadets quickly reported being dragged by someone out of bed in the middle of the night. The Queen Anne style home of the Pendray family is reported to be haunted by a father and son. Victoria's Most EXTREME Haunted Attraction! It’s been populated with First Nations peoples, had the draw of thousands due to the gold rush, a vast influx of Chinese migrants that came to work on projects such as the railroad, and was host to … Also known as “The Old Burying Ground” Pioneer Square was a cemetery from 1855 to 1873 and still contains more than 1,300 bodies beneath its surface. It closed in 2007, and after extensive renovations, reopened as Hotel Rialto in 2009. Poltergeist activity has also been reported, such as items flying off shelves and lightbulbs exploding. Phantom burning candles are often smelled, as this was the scent that Joan enjoyed. Along with architect Francis Rattenbury iwalking the halls (See The Parliament Buildings above). How can it not? She had spurned his advances, and in revenge he brutally killed her. Ghostly Walks has become an integral contributor in Victoria’s tourism industry due to the latter’s haunting reputation. © 2021 Hotels.com is an Expedia Group company. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. As can be expected, most center around what was once Fort Victoria, the foundation of our town. Following James Dunsmuir’s death in 1920, the widow of the British Columbia industrialist and politician stayed at the castle, even long after her own death in 1937. Point Ellice House is a Victorian museum set amidst restored gardens and located beside the Gorge waterway. The academy dates back to 1858, when it was built as a Roman Catholic cathedral, before being turned into a convent school about 28 years later. Some say he now haunts the alley as a shadowy streak, still trying to evade his captors. Many believe that Brady and Lady Churchill meet here again and again to relive their happy times together. Some believe its ghostly activity is a result of it’s proximity to the sea – salt water conducting spirits! Hotels.com and the Hotels.com logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Hotels.com, LP in the United States and/ or other countries. Pioneer Square, aka the Old Burying Ground, is where, between 1855 and 1873, thousands of bodies were buried with tiny tombstones. Pots have also been heard banging in the vacant kitchen, and a white figure has drifted by. Location: 1495 Fairfield Rd, Victoria, BC, Canada, photo by Michal Klajban (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified. Exclusions apply.See terms and conditions. Location: 740 Burdett Ave, Victoria, BC V8W 1B2, Canada. Volunteers reported that every time they tried to hang exhibits up for a new show, the pieces would fly off the walls. The first ghost sighting was by their daughter Eleanor, who saw a spirit of a young man in the Japanese garden, who she believed was her brother Jim Jr., who had died in battle. of Emily Carr. Hence the name Doppelganger, which is a German word for one’s double and considered to be a harbinger of death. At one time the Empress, in order to generate income, rented its rooms to those looking for long-term accommodation, which often included the elderly. There’s a happy child, a cranky old man who hides things in the kitchen and harasses women, and an older, matronly figure on the main floor who gives the pub warmth. Victoria is known for being the most haunted city in BC, and many businesses fully embrace this title as a draw for tourists. For the sake of this post, let’s take a look at a few of the more famous haunted places in Victoria. The City forced him to put up gates at each end to keep it “private.”. Consider it sightseeing with a fun twist. Poltergeist activity has also been reported, such as items flying off shelves and lightbulbs exploding. The Victoria Golf Course on scenic Beach Drive is haunted by Doris Gravlin, strangled there by her husband in 1936. The founders, Charles and Leah Rogers, were known to have a habit of sleeping in their shop’s kitchen. One of Victoria’s most famous hauntings, and to date an unsolved murder: The Beacon Hill Doppelganger. The cause of Murchie’s abnormal activity is unclear. She looked like the woman who had been murdered and was the exact inverted image of the earlier apparition. Moving chairs. Right behind Helmcken Alley, in the basement of the Rithet Building, is the site of the original Fort water well. We are Regina Armstrong and Victoria Vancek, sisters who reside in BC’s lower mainland and we have an interest in all things haunted and historical. Then, in November 1983, a body was found in a shallow grave under some bushes near the rock where the blonde woman had been. Robert Johnson, who slit his throat in a house across the street in the 1870s, can also occasionally be seen reenacting his death. In the spirit of falling leaves and Halloween, I'm sure some of you guys like to being scared shitless. Nine sisters were buried at the onsite cemetery. Craigdarroch Castle Victoria bc Haunted Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria is over 2,300 m and comprise 39 rooms. Victoria, British Columbia 56.3 miles from Nanaimo, BC. If there’s a knock on your door, it could be an old woman in pyjamas who can’t seem to find the room she stayed in a century ago. She appears in many forms, from wearing a simple brown suit in the afternoon, to a white apparition later at night. In the past, the basement was briefly used as a morgue. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, you’ll definitely want to know about these 10 haunted places in Vancouver. Almost every building around the historic square is believed to host some level of paranormal activity. Location: 1110 Beach Dr, Victoria, BC V8S 2M9, Canada, Open: Daily from 9 am to 7.30 pm (Fridays until 8.30 pm). The 7th hole is where she is often seen. One of his sons also killed when he was thrown by a horse. Location: 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, BC V8S 3L5, Canada. The streets are closed for traffic during the festival, creating a pedestrian “Boo-levard” for thousands to enjoy. With Victoria’s pre-eminent historian, John Adams (or one of his expert storytellers), as your guide, you will explore some of the city’s most haunted and fascinating neighborhoods. Elsewhere in the city, you can discover more hauntings in the city’s castles, alleyways, shops, and old theatres. A pipe came loose and smashed him in the head, killing him instantly. The pub was a place where many of those heading for the gallows had their last meal, on Judge Begbie no less, who was actually not too fond of the death penalty. For those who didn’t know, Victoria is considered one of most haunted cities in British Columbia. You can find this castle on Spook… I mean Sooke Road in Colwood. Geelong Gaol2. One day in September of 1936, they arranged a meeting to discuss a reconciliation. Hatley Castle is now home to Royal Roads University but in the 1900s it was owned by James Dunsmuir, a former lieutenant governor of British Columbia. This went on for many months. A young woman who died there from an illness has been seen dressed in white standing by the sun-dial on the front lawn. He then rebuilt a new factory on the same site, this time with pipes in the ceiling for sprinklers. Bastion Square and Helmcken Alley Easily the most haunted part of Victoria. The “Lady in Red” is one of Vancouver’s most well-known ghosts. Noté /5. Location: Fan Tan Alley, Chinatown, Victoria, BC, Canada, Join now! He is believed to have come back to the sites of his former glory days to get the recognition he did not find in England. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. When it’s hot she loves to take a bird bath in a nice water feature and sometimes she comes by … Unfortunately the boy slipped and fell, and was buried by falling debris. This map shows the most-decorated houses in Greater Victoria Bailey Parker Virgin Radio Victoria Published Tuesday, October 27, 2020 9:31AM PDT Last Updated Tuesday, October 27, 2020 12:18PM PDT They can be detected by the sudden smell of cigar smoke and heavy perfume. 505 likes. Oak Bay is one of Victoria’s oldest neighbourhoods, best known for its historical British charms and the iconic Victoria Golf Club (a former crime scene). Have you seen or experienced anything “paranormal” in any of these places? Numerous other spirits are reported to roam the building. Almost every building in the downtown core has a ghost story. He had Doris’s shoes in his pocket. Judge Begbie (who has come to be called “The Hanging Judge”) presided over the hangings during the town’s Wild West days. Location: 805 Langham Ct, Victoria, BC V8V 4J3, Canada. Founded in 1858, the academy was originally a convent, but from 1863-1970’s also operated as a Residential School for First Nation girls. Achetez neuf ou d'occasion Some say it’s a result of our Wild West beginnings during the Gold Rush, when the streets were full of fortune hunters, pleasure houses, saloons, public hangings, and opium dens – back when vice was around every corner. Victoria’s landmark hotel is thought to be haunted by multiple ghosts! Lights in the washroom have also been observed flickering. In the late 1970’s, witnesses saw a tanned woman with long blonde hair standing on top of a rock around the Superior and Douglas entrance, with her arms above her head and mouth wide open, looking up at the sky. Location: The Empress Hotel, 721 Government St, Victoria, BC V8W 1W5, Canada. She comes around several times a day to perch on the railing to relax. In today's video I discuss the top 5 most haunted places in Victoria (Australia). The Empress Hotel, Victoria. OUR FULL Victoria COVERAGE Rogers Chocolates, located on Government Street in Victoria, is a National Historic Site and Victoria’s oldest and most haunted chocolate shop. Onyx is the inspiration for our Haunted History BC logo and she’s a regular who will keep you company while you drink your morning coffee. Thereafter employees regularly found milk chocolate strewn on the floor, as well as items rearranged. #1. It has 39 rooms in over 25,000 square feet, and was built for the family of coal magnate Robert Dunsmuir, although both he and architect Warren Heywood Williams died before it was finished. In 1978 while the buildings were being renovated, the well was uncovered and restored as a centerpiece. But many visitors feel this castle is also a hub of ghostly activity! Employees have reported an mysterious knocking on the door, despite nobody being in the basement. Each building and alleyway around historic Bastion Square has a ghost or two. Looking under its charming and elegant surface of stately Victorian landmarks and English gardens, we can unveil some spooky tales around haunted places in Victoria to send shivers down your spine. Married to their work as much as each other, they seemingly never understood the word ‘retirement’. Dora Leung. Craig's Hotel Ballarat3. A “man in grey” believed to be a previous manager who took his own life has been seen. In a twist of events, he lopped off her head with a cleaver before running frantically through the alley to hide. Keep an eye out for the man with a moustache, who’s known to walk the halls and may actually be Empress architect Sir Francis Rattenbury himself. Charles “Candy” Rogers moved from Massachusetts to Victoria in 1885 and set up a green grocery, across the street from the current shop location. Detailed schedule on website. Nuns who passed away were buried on the grounds of St. Ann’s, until 1908, when a plot in the northeast corner of Ross Bay Cemetery was opened for them. The former home of architect (and famous apparition) Francis Rattenbury is now the junior campus of Glenlyon Norfolk School. However, an old and crazy tale of love and murder lingers – that of a boy’s rejected marriage proposal to a slave girl. Built privately by Thomas Trounce, the alley gave him access to buildings he owned on either side of the alley. A maid on the sixth floor also still cleans after death. It was bustling with hotels, saloons, and shops that outfitted thousands of miners on their way to the Klondike gold fields. Piano music is also heard. Shocktoberfest Haunted House Victoria BC, Victoria, BC. Almost every building in the downtown core has a ghost story. The spirits of those desecrated graves are believed to wander the park. The old Supreme Court building is said to be the most haunted, as it was built on the site of the city's jail and first gallows. The ghost of a woman has been seen here, along with one of a prominent man, R.B. The sisters who had been buried at St. Ann’s before the new cemetery was established were finally moved to Ross Bay in 1974. Don’t forget to ‘fall back’ on Sunday as Daylight Saving Time ends in B.C. COVID-19 update as vaccines delayed. Guests have also reported an elderly woman knocking on doors and looking lost. Tapa Bar staff and customers have reported seeing a woman in period costume under tables. He can be seen resting by the fireplace on chilly nights. Countless ghostly sightings of the couple have been reported at the castle, together with strange activities such as windows moving on their own. The house is also located across from the former Point Ellice Bridge (Bay Street Bridge) which collapsed on May 26, 1896, due to an overloaded street car. Maybe it is the position of alleged “ley lines” in the area – natural rock formations – and the surrounding salt water believed to be a conductor of paranormal energy. Considered the most haunted edifice in Bastion Square, the old Provincial Courthouse (Formerly the Maritime Museum Location) was built on the site of Victoria’s gallows. Location: 2005 Sooke Rd, Victoria, BC V9B 5Y2, Canada, Open: Monday–Friday from 7 am to 7 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm. She leads those helping her toward the elevator. Her husband had been suspected of murdering her, but his body was found there a month later. Victoria's Most Haunted: Ghost Stories from BC's Historic Capital City - Ebook written by Ian Gibbs. The urban legend goes that their spirits still roam the greens. Looking under its charming and elegant surface of stately Victorian landmarks and English gardens, we can unveil some spooky tales around haunted places in Victoria to send shivers down your spine. Collect 10 stamps, get 1 reward* night.