Haunted Niagara

Niagara-on-the-Lake Town Hall -  ©2014 Marica Sutic

One of my all time favorite places to wander and immerse myself in haunted history is Niagara-on-the-Lake. As I wander the streets of this quaint town, I am surrounded by buildings and homes that date back 200 years-  each with their own story to tell.  This charming Canadian town played a key role in the War of 1812, and is considered to be "Canada's most haunted town".

Walking along Queen Street, my mind takes me to the story of "Sobbing Sophia". Sophia Shaw was the love of Major General Isaac Brock. Brock was tragically killed in the battle at Queenston Heights before the two lovers could wed. Sophia was devastated by the news of Brock's death and never recovered from the loss of her love. She died young - from what many say was a broken heart. To this day locals say that her sobs can be heard reverberating throughout Queen Street.

The Olde Angel Inn- ©2014 Marica Sutic

Another popular place where I stopped to enjoy a cold pint and the friendly atmosphere of one of Ontario's oldest inns was at The Olde Angel Inn. One step through its doors and you are immediately taken back in time. This small, cozy inn is the site of Captain Colin Swayze's murder. With hopes for one last rendezvous with his lover, Captain Colin Swayze retreated to the Inn where he found himself surprised by American troops sent to search the place. The Captain hid inside an empty barrel in the basement to escape detection. Tragically, the invaders used bayonets to stab and slash at everything in sight -including the barrel - leaving Captain Colin Swayze fatally wounded. Visitors and employees have seen shadows and heard strange sounds coming from the Colonel Room. Place settings in the dining area have been eerily moved around, and the sound of footfall across the wooden floors have been heard often.
 
Stay tuned! I will be heading back to Niagara-on-the-Lake soon and bringing back more ghostly tales from Canada's most haunted town.