Beatty Street Drill Hall
The Beatty Street Drill Hall is a Canadian Forces armoury, located at 620 Beatty Street in Vancouver, British Columbia.
It is the home of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) (RCAC), an armoured reconnaissance reserve, the oldest military unit in Vancouver, and the most senior militia in the province.
This beautiful and historic building was opened on 30th of September 1901, by the Duke of Cornwall (later King George V). With two large castle-like turrets, complete with battlements, two tanks and a 64-pounder gun, alongside the large white structure, Beatty Street Drill Hall has long been a Vancouver landmark and is listed as a class-A heritage building.
The walls are built three and a half feet thick, and the building rests on huge granite blocks. Limestone from Gabriola Island was used for the parapet. The Drill Hall includes a parade square, offices, and store rooms. It formerly contained a firing range and bowling alley as well. The Regimental Museum of the BC Regiment (DCO) is housed in the building, with displays dating back to 1883, including uniforms, weapons, medals, Nazi regalia, and a large collection of photographs documenting the regiment's (and the Drill Hall's) history. The museum was established in 1982 and is open to the public Thursday afternoons.
So as most can see from reading the above, this building is not only historic, but also very beautiful. But one thing you would not have read, is that the Drill Hall is reported to be haunted.
Some of the reports are of voices being heard when no one else is around, footsteps being heard through- out the Drill Hall—and one of the more startling events is the apparition, which some of the regiment have been heard to have seen. With the age of the Beatty St. Drill Hall and the history of the many wars, conflicts and actions, men and woman have not only been involved, but they died for it. It is a wonder that there aren’t more reports form this great historic Canadian building.
Most ghost stories that have been passed down or whispered about, seem to happen and end with a degree of fright, but mostly wonder. Most that is, however, causes a person to believe that there is terrifying things that choose to show them selves every once in a while.
The story of John and Janice Bradley is one of these stories. It happened somewhere between Spence’s Bridge and Cache Creek along Hwy 1 in BC. This instance happened quite late at night along Hwy 1, and was something nightmares are made of.
Running into a figure walking along a road is not uncommon. But to run into someone in the middle of the night along a lonely stretch of road when no one else around is another. It is said that what the couple stopped to help a woman. But on closer inspection, they described this being as inhuman with a slit for a mouth and eyes of complete black that held no life within them.
So I must say that if you ever find yourself driving along Hwy 1 late at night and you are in the same area, be careful. If you see a lone woman walking were no one should be, think carefully before you decide to stop and offer help. You may find a terror that you may never forget.
Thanks to Robert C. Belyk for this information. Please check out the full story of this tale in his book, Ghosts II. More True Stories from British Columbia.
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Trethewey House
This beautiful heritage home built in the 1920’s is located in the Mill Lake area of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The home is very well known not only for its craftsmanship: sophisticated wooden detailing and its wonderfully detailed interior. It's also for the family, which built this structure and lived within it.
Mr. Joseph Ogle Trethewey, the proprietor of the Abbotsford Lumber Company & Mill, which was a major employer in the area and instrumental in the early development of the Abbotsford area built the home in 1920. Mr. Trethewey only lived in the home until his death in 1928.
The home was announced as a heritage site in 1983 and through the hard work of countless people, it was restored to it's original grandeur. The home is still used today to show the public the history of Abbotsford and the surrounding area.
Now while the home is beautiful to look at and walk through, it does have a bit of a spooky side to it as well. The staff and some visitors will tell those who ask that they are sure the home is quite haunted.
It has been told that a woman died in one of the guest bedrooms a long time ago, and is believed to still be hanging around. It is said that there have been pictures taken that shows what appears to be an apparition, lights turning on in the upper level of the house when no one is there and doors opening all by them self.
People who have toured the home, have been heard to say at times that they have felt as though someone else was in a room with them, when they know there wasn't anyone else around. The staff has said they believe it is a ghost, but for them it seems to be a friendly one.
Take a trip sometime and check this home out. Who knows, maybe you might feel something watching you while you look around.
Thanks to the MSA Museum & the Abbotsford times for this information.
The Chinlac Massacre Site
This historic site located at the meeting point of the Nechako and Stuart Rivers, is the site of the 1745 Native Chinlac village. This specific village however, is popular not only because it was the home of the Chinlac people, but because it was home to a people that was almost wiped out of existence by the southern Denes, a warring party of Chilcotin natives from further south.
It is told that Chinlac men were out hunting while the woman and children stayed at the village. The Denes came upon the village and then set about massacring everyone who remained. Some say that they even cannibalized some of the bodies.
Over 250 woman and children were killed that day, and even though the Chinlac men did manage to get revenge, it did not change the fact that all their lives were destroyed.
This history of what happened at the village leads to the strange, but understandable sequence of events that occur to people known to go visit this local.
First is that most people who travel here, which can only be reached by boat or plane, will always say that the area has a very cold and creepy felling to it.
Second is that the entire village area seems to no longer support plant growth and anything planted, will only last a short time. It is heard to be said by some native elders that any trees that manage to grow, or are planted will only grow to no more the 15 feet and then die or live a stunted life, before withering and dying quickly.
This may be enough to keep most people away, who are afraid of the unknown. However, if you feel brave enough, go and see if you can spend the night.
Archaeologists have reported feelings of unease and of being frightened, inspiring them to leave. Campers who have canoed to the site, have been so overwhelmed by the area that they have left in the middle of the night to seek more relaxing areas to camp. So I say again, if you feel brave go see if you can spend a night at the Chinlac Massacre site.
Thanks to the Vancouver Sun and the Shadowlands haunted places site for their information on this story.
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Fleetwood Elementary School
For those of you who thought the New Westminster School was interesting, Fleetwood Elementary School is another for the haunted collection.
It is said that not only are there cold spots and orbs often seen in this more-then sixty-year-old building, but doors open and close as well.
Now orbs and cold spots, some may say “oh, that’s nothing.” But then you hear after that there is a ghost seen in the basement area of the school, and that it could be the ghost of a teacher. You might think twice before wondering about its empty halls and taking the chance of being touched.
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The Irving House
The Irving house is located in New Westminster, BC.
It’s a historic home with a very interesting past. The home was built in 1865, and lived in by Captain Irving and his family for many years. It remained in the Irving family up until about 1950, when it was sold to the city of New Westminster.
If someone takes a tour of this home, one would find a rich history running back to the Alaska and BC gold-rush era; everything from the past lives of Captain Irving and his family, to the architecture, furniture and pieces displayed for viewing.
From what is said, it’s one of the oldest homes in the Lower Mainland area. And it also comes with a secondary history, not as well known or reported; of this house being haunted.
Some of these reports include unexplained noises, the walls in the main dining room seeming to shiver, a voice asking for a name to be said—and that’s just the main room area.
It is said that when people walk up stairs, there are a few trophies on the walls, and if looked upon sometimes seem to be watching you. Some people have been heard to say that they have seen them turn to follow them.
There is also the story told by some, of seeing an indentation in the mattress, located in the master bedroom of what some feel is Capt. Irving himself, whom had passed away in that very bed.
I can say that this is a fantastic home to visit whether you believe in this part of the history or not. Take a look—and watch the trophies.
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The Haunted Mather’s House
The Mather’s House is only a very short walk from the Anderson Home.
This is once again a heritage home owned by the City of Burnaby and was also a family home built in 1912, bought by the same Benedictine monks along with the Anderson Home.
The one big difference is, this used to be convalescent home for soldiers wounded during World War I. It is also now a heritage home and even now is a creepy home to visit.
Some of the better known events are bygone toys being thrown around and strange lights being seen. Others still have been so frightened that they no longer return.
If this home interests you and you have the nerve, have a visit some time and see if you will want to come back again.
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The Haunted Anderson House of Deer Lake
Robert F. and Bessie Anderson
The Anderson Home is located at 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, in Burnaby B.C.
It’s just one of many historic homes located in and around the Deer Lake area. The house was built in 1912, and the Anderson family lived there until just after World War I.
The home was eventually bought by the Benedictine Monks in 1939 and used as a seminary, until around 1971 when the city of Burnaby purchased the home. In 1992 it was designated it as a heritage site.
If you are ever in the area of Deer Lake, take a closer look at the homes—you may see more then you expect. To find more out about this house and much more, visit the site of writer, Robert C. Belyk or read his books. Well worth the time.
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The Old Spaghetti Factory
This old building, which now holds The Spaghetti Factory, is located in the Gastown area of Vancouver and is one of the most noted hotspots in the area.
Witnesses at the restaurant—mostly employees—have seen the apparition of a man dressed in old clothing sitting in the trolley car and seems to like to rearrange the cutlery on the tables.
This figure has also been seen in the ladies restroom, so watch out ladies. For the most part, the employees seem to get the most activity because it seems the spirits are more active after the restaurant closes for the evening. Long-term employees have claimed to hear their names being called and when looking, have found no one around to say anything in the first place.
Some say that the figure seen is a conductor. The building now sits on top of an old underground railway where there was once a tragic accident, which may account for why this spirit seems to hang around the trolley car at this location.
If you ever have a chance to dine there, take a look around and check out the picture of the trolley car they have hung up—a very close look.
You just may see the figure sitting on the steps of the car within the picture.
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Water Street Vancouver
As one of the most well-known and visited streets in Vancouver— if not the oldest street, Water Street has a history and look that has to be experienced.
However you may want to skip this one bit of history. It is said that at night, and if you are in the right or wrong place at the right time, one may see the apparition of a decapitated Asian mine-worker walking along the street.
One may believe one of two stories told of this figure.
One is the man’s head was taken by thieves during an attack or attempted robbery.
The second is that the Asian man was walking the rails at night and caught his foot and was stuck until he lost his head to the next train to come by.
You may choose which one to believe, but either way, you may not want to see this ghost late some night, especially if you are alone.
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Hycroft Manor
This manor home is one of the older and more beautiful manors in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The beginning of construction was in 1909, and completed in 1911, for Alexander Duncan McRae. In 1942 it was given to the Veterans Affairs for use as a convalescent hospital until 1960, where it was then bought by a woman’s club, where it remains today.
The activity reported in Hycroft Manor is widely varied. Including the sighting of an elderly man dressed in a World War I uniform that some believe to be General McRae himself. Others have seen a woman appear, who some believe might be McRae’s wife.
With Hycroft Manor having been used as a hospital in the past, people have seen up to three apparitions of WWI vets, and at other times a nurse from around the same time period.
Some of the most disturbing sounds heard, have been of men crying. No one knows why, but a lot believe it has to do with the wounded that were kept and possibly died there. It also seems a lot of activity happens when there are film crews working there.
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The Orpheum Theatre
The Orpheum Theatre was built in Vancouver in 1927, and has been a main stay for actors and actresses showing their talents ever sense.
It has a history that is well known. But also, it has another which few may know.
One of these is that the presence of a spirit has been seen many times over the years. It is said that during a vaudeville act, an acrobat died by accident, and has been wondering the theatre ever sense.
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The Keg Restaurant
This restaurant is not only a great place to eat with its very tasty steaks and its mouth watering prime rib. You may find yourself wondering just what and or who may be watching you eat.
The Keg, located in New Westminster, British Columbia, was once a railway-station for the city of New Westminster. It has an in-depth history and is as exciting as the city itself.
Some of the things said to have happened include a little girl being seen upstairs, a woman seen walking in front of the serving area and a woman’s face being seen by patrons in a mirror, while no one sat beside them.
If you are feeling adventurous: go for dinner and spend some time looking around, once again you never know what might pop up.
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