Christopher Laursen of the Toronto Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society took us on a walking tour of the spooky side of the city. You can find more info about the group at www.torontoghosts.org.
Queen’s Park: Did you know that the Ontario legislature was built on the site of the University Hospital for the Insane? Apparently three women haunt the halls: the white lady, who wears a long flowing robe; the maiden, who wears a checkered dress with an apron; and the hanged woman, who has reportedly been seen in the underground tunnel that runs east of the building. Also, just last year there was a report from an employee who saw someone walking by his desk and into another room. He followed and… there was no one in the next room!
Hart House (7 Hart House Circle): Ever seen odd lights coming from the soldiers’ tower? Apparently a maintenance worker fell inside the tower many years ago and died. Some say he’s still fixing the building from beyond the grave.
Ryerson University Theatre (43 Gerrard E): Apparently, a woman who was once rehearsing on one of the stages saw something so terrifying that she refused to ever return. Recently, others have reportedly felt cold spots, heard whispers of their name and one teacher reportedly saw a female figure singing in the third-floor hallway.
Mackenzie House (82 Bond): Yes, William Lyon Mackenzie, rebellion leader and first mayor of Toronto, lived here from 1859 to 1861, but this home is also said to be the most haunted in Toronto. There are, reportedly, reminders of Mackenzie, his wife and a few children in the third floor bedroom. There are also reports of cold spots, sounds of footsteps and the printing press in the basement starting up.