Newsletter
SELF-GUIDED HAUNTED PLACES TOUR OF VICTORIA
Love to be creeped out? Looking for a creative activity to do with family or friends? Up the fear factor and visit some the Top 10 Haunted Places in Victoria as featured by Tourism Victoria:
1. BASTION SQUARE AND HELMCKEN ALLEY
Easily the most haunted part of Victoria. Each building and alleyway round historic Bastion Square has a ghost or two. The old Supreme Court building is said to be the most haunted, as it was built on the site of the city’s jail and first gallows. Many of the men who were hanged in the tree beside it still lie buried beneath its foundation.
2. MARKET SQUARE AND CHINATOWN
Market Square and Chinatown have many stories of ghosts and the supernatural. Their secret tunnels might be myths, but their hauntings are real. The ghosts here long ago frequented the saloons, brothels and gambling dens that lined Johnson Street, Victoria’s once infamous red light district.
In Chinatown, feel the paranormal energy in Fan Tan Alley as you walk past its abandoned opium dens and gambling halls, but feel safe under the Gates of Harmonious Interest which are decorated with symbols to scare away evil spirits.
3. ROSS BAY CEMETERY
Ross Bay Cemetery has the distinction of being the most spectacular Victorian cemetery in British Columbia. Its winding, tree-lined carriageways, magnificent tombstones with poignant epitaphs and the distant views to the Olympic Mountains make it a memorable place to visit. The cemetery is noted for several resident ghosts, including Isabella Ross (the first woman in British Columbia to own land, whose farm stood where the cemetery is now).
4. PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
British Columbia’s Parliament Buildings are haunted by many ghosts, most notably Francis Rattenbury, the architect who designed them in the 1890s. His body rests uneasily in an unmarked grave in Bournemouth, England, where he was savagely bludgeoned to death by his wife’s lover. It is believed Rattenbury returns to haunt his most famous edifice to seek the recognition he craves.
5. HATLEY CASTLE & GARDENS
Hatley Castle, a 565 acre Edwardian estate, looks charming and colourful with sprawling gardens and a stately facade. The property is said to be haunted by ghosts of the Dunsmuir family who once owned it.
6. FAIRMONT EMPRESS
The Fairmont Empress is one of the oldest and most famous hotels in Victoria. The apparition of thin mustached man walking the halls with a cane is thought to be of the building’s architect, Francis Rattenbury (he gets around!). A maid has been seen on the sixth floor still cleaning after her death and guests have reported an elderly woman in pajamas knocking on their door. When guests try to help her find her room, she leads them toward the elevator before vanishing.
7. CRAIGDARROCH CASTLE
Craigdarroch Castle does not acknowledge that the building may be haunted, but rumours persist. An apparition of a little girl has been reported by staff, as well as the image of a maid. A woman’s feet have been seen running down the stairs and music has been heard, while its source remains a mystery.
8. ROGERS CHOCOLATES
Rogers Chocolates at 913 Government Street is a National Historic Site. It is also Victoria’s oldest and most haunted chocolate shop. Look for the ghosts of Charles and Leah Rogers, the founders, who often slept in the kitchen of their old store and who reputedly never left.
9. CHATEAU VICTORIA
The Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites was built on the site of the historic white mansion of Miss Victoria Jane Wilson and her family. Soon after opening, the staff began to notice a nicely dressed, old-fashioned lady at the main floor bar — now Clive’s Classic Lounge — who would promptly vanish in front of them. Guests would sometimes be delayed when Victoria Jane would ride up and down the elevator with them, stopping at each floor.
10. ST. ANN’S ACADEMY
Deeply concerned about what would happen to the school they erected, the original sisters of St. Ann’s Academy couldn’t leave and have been spotted in front of the building with troubled expressions. They had seen the building fall into disrepair after they moved out and to this day don’t believe that the honour of housing the Ministry of Education will last. It was also rumored that Thomas Hooper, St. Ann’s architect, killed people and had them poured into the foundations to give his buildings “souls.” When taking a stroll past the buildings, their
eerie presence is undoubtable.
September 2023 Statistics in Review
Curious what’s happening in the local Real Estate market? The Victoria Real Estate Board summarized on September 30th that the value of homes in Victoria remains largely stable. Total sales in the region are up over 20% compared to September 2022 and we are inching towards a more balanced market with an increase in number of listings on the market – which means more properties for prospective buyers! Detailed information can be found in Victoria Real Estate Board’s September 2023 Statistics Package.
Five Fun Festivals Coming up on Vancouver Island
When: July 21st to 23rd
Where: Providence Farm, Duncan
The Cowichan Folk Guild is proud to present the 39th anniversary Islands Folk Festival. Music lovers from near and far are invited to join this celebration of music, featuring all the best elements of a homegrown folk festival. We are the most family friendly festival in Canada!
When: July 22nd
Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
Started in 2022, SoberFest is an alcohol and substance-free comedy and music festival that provides a safe environment for individuals recovering from alcohol or substance addiction. Tickets are limited!
Sunfest Country Music Festival
When: August 3rd to 6th
Where: Laketown Ranch, 8811 Youbou Road
Sunfest is a country music lovers’ paradise! Hosted at Laketown Ranch in Cowichan Lake, this all-star lineup is the perfect way to celebrate the BC Day Long Weekend. With country music icon Blake Shelton headlining the 2023 Sunfest Country Music Festival, this is one you don’t want to miss!
When: August 4th to 6th
Where: Filberg Park, Comox
Comox Valley’s premier annual arts and culture event, the Filberg Festival is back and excited to offer three jam-packed days of live entertainment, workshops, music, artisans, and all-around fun for the whole family. The festival features 45 recording artists and over 100 artisan vendors, at historic Filberg Park.
When: August 11th to 13th
Where: 815 Wharf Street, Victoria BC
In 2023 the Dragon Boat Festival will celebrate its 28th annual racing event celebrating sport, culture, diversity, and community. Come celebrate summer in Victoria’s Inner Harbour and cheer on the teams!