Established by the British in 1749 on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Mi’kmaq people, the history of Halifax stretches back thousands of years. With such a vast history, Halifax is no stranger to tragedy, from the Halifax Explosion to wartime losses and the sinking of the Titanic, it is said that many restless spirits wander the historic streets of Halifax.
Here are some of the most popular haunting stories of Halifax.
Built in 1750, just one year after the establishment of Halifax, the St. Paul's Anglican church is the oldest standing structure and the oldest Anglican church in Canada. Aside from its religious purposes, this church is well known for the legend of one of the church deacons. Legend has it, during the Halifax Explosion in 1917, the profile of a church deacon was permanently etched into a window due to the immense heat from the explosion. To this day if you stand on Argyle Street and look up at the second story windows of the church, you can still see the haunting silhouette of the deacon.
The Halifax Explosion damaged and destroyed thousands of buildings and homes in 1917 but one house sticks out among the others. Prior to the explosion, in place of the Veith House was the Halifax Protestant Orphanage. During the explosion, the school matron had mistaken the crash as sounds of the city under attack (the explosion took place during WW1). In an effort to protect the children and staff, she huddled everyone into the basement. Shortly after the crash, the explosion occurred, completely destroying the orphanage, leaving 24 children and 3 staff members to perish beneath the rubble. Once rebuilding efforts took place, the Veith House was developed in place of the Halifax Protestant Orphanage. Since then, there have been numerous reports of paranormal activity haunting the rebuild. One of the most prominent is the spirit of a child who has been seen looking out the window with a look of sorrow on their face. While others report seeing the school matron roaming the halls.
Opening its doors over 200 years ago, the famous Alexander Keith built his beloved business into one of Halifax's most famous breweries. Throughout Alexanders life, he spent many years watching over the brewery ensuring its success. Even after death, it seems Alexanders watchful eye never left the brewery. With claims of shadowy figures at the bar resembling the previous owner and echoes of footsteps running through the tunnel he built between his house and the brewery, it is hauntingly clear that the spirit of the brewery's founder still roams through its hallways.
Known as one of Halifax's most haunted, the Halifax Citadel was originally fortified in 1759, when the British founded Halifax. The Halifax Citadel acted as a military fort for nearly two centuries, first by the British and then Canadian military, before it was transferred to the Parks Service who turned the location into a historic site shortly after World War II. Although never attacked, the Halifax Citadel was a longstanding key to the defensive strategy of the city. Over the years, countless soldiers patrolled the Halifax Citadel, watching for enemy ships, while others were held there as prisoners during World War I. Many later perished in battle, and it’s said their spirits have returned to this familiar fortress.
While this location is well-known for lingering spirits of past soldiers, the most famous ghost of the Halifax Citadel is known as the Grey Lady. The Grey Lady is believed to be the spirit of Miss Casey Allen, once engaged to a soldier at the Halifax Citadel. It is said that on the day of her wedding, her fiancé took his life. Overcome with grief, the Grey lady was never able to move on, even in death. She is known to roam the halls of the Halifax Citadel searching for her fiancé, specifically the floors of the cavalier building, or sitting in a rocking chair on the third floor porch. Those who have witnessed her spirit recall a woman in a long dress disappearing and leaving behind a scent of roses.
Although no specific spirits are associated with these two locations, they both have deep ties to the sinking of the Titanic. The Titanic Grave Site in Halifax is the largest grave site for the victims with over 120 individuals (both known and unknown) laid to rest there. As for the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, this location carries several artifacts recovered from the sinking. One of the most haunting artifacts include the "Shoes of the Unknown Child". Visitors to these locations describe feeling a deep sense of sorrow and grief as they reflect on the remains of the horrific tragedy of the Titanic.
Now a delicious seafood restaurant, the Five Fishermen building was once used as a funeral home holding individuals who perished in the Halifax Explosion and the sinking of the Titanic. Having once housed victims of sudden and great tragedy, it is no surprise that some souls had trouble moving on from the location. Over the years, staff of the restaurant have described hearing mysterious sounds, floating dishes, and lurking silhouettes along with other unexplainable activity.
McNabs Island may be a stunning tourist attraction today, but it has a dark and grim history. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, McNabs Island was used for military purposes. One of the most notorious military practices used on the island took place on Hangman's Beach. Along this shoreline, the British military would display the bodies of executed individuals to deter any unwanted visitors from stepping foot on the island. Because of its horrific history, this island has had numerous reports of restless spirits wandering aimlessly up and down the beach.
Acting as a residence building for the Dalhousie University students, Shirreff Hall is known for housing the ghost of a young woman named Penelope. Legend has it, after being involved in a tragic love affair, Penelope took her life in the fourth floor tower of the residence. Wearing a blue vintage dress and a face of sadness and despair, Penelope is known to haunt the halls of the upper floors near the clock tower. Over the years, students living in the residence have reported sudden shifts in temperature, things turning on and off without human intervention, and mysterious sounds of sobbing and whispers.
With centuries of history layered in triumph, tragedy, and mystery, Halifax carries the echoes of its past in every historic piece of land. With so many historic remains it’s no wonder some spirits continue to roam these locations struggling to move on.
