As beautiful as Ontario is, it also has its own seedy history and dark stories that reside in some of its oldest buildings. From old penitentiaries and jails with hostile environments, to stunning waterfalls that hold tragic tales of loss, to old lighthouses said to be haunted by lingering spirits, there’s a ton to explore for anyone who loves a good ghost story. If you’re ready to encounter the paranormal on a tour or visit a spooky abandoned place than look no further than this guide of the 9 most haunted places in Ontario to visit this October.
1. Keg Mansion
The Keg Steakhouse Mansion & Bar has both kinds of spirits, from a boozy menu to a haunted history that involves a sad and grisly suicide. The steakhouse set inside the mansion is one of the restaurant’s most beautiful locatiosn and was purchased by the Massey family in 1882, after which the family’s history led to some paranormal activity. The daughter, Lily Massey, died at home after falling ill, one of the maids hanged herself in the home, and a little boy fell down the stairs and died. Now in modern times, Keg has established quite an infamous reputation for ghost sightings and paranormal activity, but don’t let that stop you from reserving a table and ordering a steak or old-fashioned.
2. Hockey Hall of Fame
After multiple moves, the Hockey Hall of Fame officially settled into a space that’s haunted by a spirit called “Dorothy” but what is the spooky story behind her lingering spirit? It wasn’t until the Star uncovered her story that a 50 year old whispered tale became public lore. Before the Hockey Hall of Fame moved into the building, it used to be an old Bank of Montreal branch where a young teller, Dorothy, killed herself with a revolver, though the motive is still left up in the air, though there are theories. Lovesick, witness to a crime, and a secret affair have all been guessed, but the family doesn’t like to speak on Dorothy’s death. Still, maybe there’s a chance you’ll catch a glimpse of her this October.
3. Niagara Parks Power Station
Niagara Falls has got some dark secrets of its own and the Screaming Tunnel at the Niagara Parks Power Station is considered one of the most haunted places in Ontario. Ghost hunters frequent the tunnel on the search for spirits and paranormal activity. The legend goes that, in order to hear the screams, you have to brave the tunnel with no lights and head toward the middle. Then light a single match and once the match goes out, then you’ll hear a scream. The tunnel continues to draw tourists and Stephen King’s film, “The Dead Zone,” was even filmed here.
4. Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Lighthouse keeper George Durnan discovered the small remains of a human jaw bone and pieces of a coffin buried in the and of Toronto Island, fueling the folklore that had christened Gibraltar Point Lighthouse as one of the most haunted places near Toronto. Stange noises and apparitions have been sighted and are, potentially, the spirit of John Paul Rademuller, the first lighthouse keeper who was known to smuggle whiskey from the US, was suspected to have been murdered by three drunk soliders looking for their next fix. If you dare to visit, you’ll see a plaque at the site itself that tells the story and claims the place as a potentially hot spot for ghosts.
5. Kingston Penitentiary
This infamous maxiumum security prison in Kingston housed some of the worst criminals in history and you can now tour its dark halls. Riots, horrific criminals, and more stories can be found through the 1.5 hour guided tour, full of macabre history. Once the tour is over, head out into Kingston, where, if you didn’t know, Guillermo Del Toro’s film “Crimson Peak,” was filmed, making this a great destination for any horror or mystery fan.
6. Mackenzie House
The Toronto history museum, the Mackenzie House, looks at the history of the infamous Lyon Mackenzie, once mayor of the city before he was exiled as a traiot (or patriot, depending on how you look at it.) If you go to the museum, rumored to be haunted with its own resident ghosts, you can get a glimpse of old Victorian Canada in the heart of Toronto’s bustling downtown. If you dare to visit, apparitions of the mayor and his wife can be seen hanging around.
7. Mather-Walls House
The Mather-Walls House, known so well for its haunted history that it was featured on an episode of Creepy Canada, is said to be haunted by the latest resident, Edna Walls. The historic house offers ghost tours seasonally and employees claim to have heard creepy sounds like stairs creaking throughout their shifts.
8. HI-Ottawa Jail
This haunted jail has now been turned into a hostel where you can actually sleep in a solitary confinement cell. Once a prison where inmates where inmates lived in horrific conditions, the jail was closed in 1972 and quickly transformed into a hostel the following year. Now, the rooms hold secrests of the jail’s dark and horrifying past, but hey, you can now pay to sleep here for a cheaper price than a hotel. P.S. Just keep in mind this is considered one of the most haunted places in Ontario.
9. Albion Falls
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ontario also has a dark past. Albion Falls are located in Hamilton (as are many of the stunning waterfalls in Ontario are) and have garnered the nickname “Lovers Leap.” In the early 1800s, there was a bustling village here, and the story goes that a woman named Jane Riley fell in love with a man whose womanizing ways cauesd her enough grief that she threw herself off the waterfall. Her spirit is said to linger there to this day.