As one of Canada’s oldest cities, Kingston boasts a rich and storied history filled with chilling and haunted tales. For those with a curiosity for the paranormal, Kingston offers a variety of spooky attractions where you can delve into the city’s many mysteries.
From haunted hotels to eerie fortresses, here are six must-visit locations said to be teeming with paranormal activity.
1. The Prince George Hotel
Now home to a trio of pubs, the Prince George Hotel was once the residence of the Herchmer family in the 1800s. Legend has it that their daughter, Lily, fell in love with a rum smuggler and would signal him with a lit lantern in the window. One fateful night, this caused a fire that engulfed the building and claimed Lily’s life. Her ghostly figure is said to still appear in the third-floor window, looking out for her lost lover. Former hotel staff have reported bizarre incidents such as radios turning on by themselves and eerie whispers. One former employee of the Tir Nan Og pub, which now occupies part of the building, reportedly quit after a particularly frightening encounter, according to an article in the Queen’s Journal.
2. Fort Henry National Historic Site
Fort Henry, a massive fortress overlooking Kingston, has stood guard for over 170 years without ever being attacked. However, its walls have witnessed hangings and even served as a prisoner of war camp. The fort’s haunted reputation has been featured on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters, where staff shared their eerie experiences and the team captured convincing evidence of supernatural activity. From summer to early September, the fort is included in the Haunted Walk’s tour schedule, making it a must-visit for those intrigued by the paranormal.
3. The Haunted Walk of Kingston
For over two decades, the Haunted Walk of Kingston has been a staple for paranormal enthusiasts visiting the city. This interactive tour takes participants through Kingston’s most haunted sites, sharing spine-tingling stories and historical insights. It’s an educational and thrilling way to explore the city’s eerie side, making it a must-do for any ghost hunter.
4. Rochleau Courtyard
Few urban locales are as chilling as Kingston’s Rochleau Court. Accessible from Princess, Brock, or King Street East, this series of alleys and carriageways leads to a courtyard where Chez Piggy Restaurant and the Toucan Pub are now located. The courtyard is infamous for the murder of Theresa Ignace Beam by her lover, John Napier, in 1868. Napier, a prominent entrepreneur, strangled Theresa in a fit of rage when she revealed she was pregnant. He later dismembered her body and buried the remains in various locations around the courtyard and alleys. Her restless spirit is said to haunt these shadowy passageways, still searching for her unceremoniously disposed remains.
5. Rockwood Asylum
Built in the mid-1800s, Rockwood Asylum housed the ‘criminally insane’ and other patients of the time. Despite its attempts at humane treatment, such as teaching regular life virtues, the asylum used sedatives like morphine and barbital to maintain order. Rockwood played a significant role in the early days of psychiatric education at Queen’s University, with physicians performing some of the first brain surgeries on patients. With such a dark history, it’s no wonder that visitors report feeling the presence of spirits while touring this historic site.
6. Skeleton Park
Officially known as McBurney Park, Skeleton Park earned its grisly nickname due to its dark past. The park was once a massive cemetery with over ten thousand graves, established in 1814. By 1864, the cemetery was closed and left derelict, leading to reports of skeletal remains surfacing and a horrid stench. Grave robbery was rampant, as medical students needed cadavers for their studies. Only families who could afford it moved their loved ones’ remains to another cemetery, leaving thousands of bodies behind. To this day, human remains are occasionally discovered, and remnants of gravestones can be found in the grass. Visitors report supernatural incidents, including terrifying dreams, ghostly visions, and physical apparitions.
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these six spooky attractions in Kingston offer a fascinating glimpse into the city’s haunted history. Each site holds its own unique tales of tragedy and mystery, making them essential stops for anyone looking to explore the paranormal side of this historic city.⬤
