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Victoria - British Columbia, Canada
Victoria, British Columbia is described as one of the most haunted cities in Canada. Whether due to the presence of ley lines in the area, or the proliferation of native burial sites, “almost every building in [Victoria] has a ghost story”.
Over 10,000 years ago the Lekwungen used Victoria as a "village of the dead" where they practiced sky burial. After laying out corpses for vultures to clean, bones were placed high among trees in a sacred ritual designed to separate the living from the dead. When German immigrant Jacob Sehl deforested the area to build a furniture factory in 1885, locals believe he released negative energy and forever left Victoria haunted. Today the Garden City is a popular visitor destination where "ghost tourism is a niche that is growing quickly". |
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Get to know the history behind Victoria's supernatural locations by touring the Haunted Walking Map or browsing the legends below:
- Parliament Building – Building architect Francis Rattenbury is believed to haunt the legislative chambers seeking recognition for his most famous work.
- Old Morris Tobacconist – Experts suggest that a Mexican onyx surrounding the store entrance is a portal to the paranormal.
- St. Ann's Academy – A group of nine nuns buried on-site are said to haunt the former monastery and boarding school.
- Rogers' Chocolates – Displays throughout the store are often re-arranged by deceased founders Charles and Leah Rogers.
- James Bay Inn – The oldest hotel in Victoria is also the location where famed author Emily Carr died from a heart attack.
- Gatsby Mansion – Reports of a decapitated spirit are attributed to William J. Pendray, a resident who died after being struck in the head by a pipe.
- Empress Hotel – Another Victoria landmark haunted by the spirit of building architect Francis Rattenbury.
- Beacon Hill Park – Sightings of a “Screaming Doppelganger” led authorities to uncover a shallow grave near the park entrance in 1983.
- Murchie's Tea & Coffee – An unknown poltergeist slams doors, throws objects, and rides the elevators at all hours of the day.
- Ross Bay Cemetery - Numerous apparitions are routinely observed including a deceased groundskeeper and a "lady in black".
Sources:
City of Victoria Archives. File CL-03103 - Ghosts. (Accessed December 2018).
Downtown Victoria Business Association and City of Victoria. Haunted Victoria: Self Guided Heritage Walking Map. (2016).
Gibbs, Ian. Victoria's Most Haunted: Ghost Stories from BC's Historic Capital City. (2017).
* The City of Victoria is a Haunted District containing several proximate entries eligible for the Register of Haunted Places.
City of Victoria Archives. File CL-03103 - Ghosts. (Accessed December 2018).
Downtown Victoria Business Association and City of Victoria. Haunted Victoria: Self Guided Heritage Walking Map. (2016).
Gibbs, Ian. Victoria's Most Haunted: Ghost Stories from BC's Historic Capital City. (2017).
* The City of Victoria is a Haunted District containing several proximate entries eligible for the Register of Haunted Places.