The Keg Mansion

Keg Mansion was built in 1868 by Arthur McMasters.  It was constructed on Jarvis Street, one of the wealthiest streets in Toronto at the time.  Boasting twenty six rooms, twelve fireplaces, stables and a large carriage house, the mansion was purchased by industrialist Hart Massey in 1882.  Hart Massey was the sole owner of the farm equipment company Massey-Harris, founded by his father.  Massey and his wife bought the mansion when they returned from a stint in Cleveland.  They renovated the house adding a turret, verandah and large greenhouse.  The mansion became known as Euclid Hall, named by their only daughter Lillian in honour of the street they had lived on in Cleveland.  The Massey's went on to become one the most prominent families in Toronto

Eventually the house was bequeathed to the University of Toronto's Victoria College in 1915. It was also  the home of Toronto radio station CFRB and in the 1920's it served as an art gallery. In 1960 it became a restaurant named Julie's Mansion.  The grounds were sold off and the greenhouse was demolished and replaced with a service station.  In 1976 the mansion became home to the Keg Restaurant.

In the 1950's paranormal activity was first reported at the mansion.  Hart Massey's daughter Lillian died in 1915 and it was rumoured that one of her maids hung herself by attaching a noose to the oval vestibule above the main staircase. At the time it was suggested that the maid had killed herself because she so missed her beloved mistress however there was some speculation that infact the death of Lillian may have resulted in a dark secret revealing itself about the maid and that was why she had taken her own life.

From time to time it is said that the body of the maid can be seen by patrons of the Keg restaurant swinging above the staircase.  There have also been reports of a presence in the ladies bathroom where toilets flush unexpectedly and doors unlock.

Sometimes the sound of children laughing can be heard.  There have been reports of a child being seen dragging a chair.  It is said that during Massey's time in the mansion he had once forbidden his son from playing on the Sabbath and the boy had dragged a chair in anger. Some diners have reported hearing a boy crying for his mother and even seen a boy sitting on the stairs watching them.

Regardless the mansion is a beautiful piece of architecture where you can enjoy an amazing steak !


 

Caves House

Originally built in 1903 by the Western Australian government to provide accommodation for visitors to newly discovered caves, Caves House is an historic landmark in Yallingup. A town in the south west region of Western Australia, Yallingup is still a popular tourist destination. In 1899 limestone caves were discovered and  Caves House was built not far from one of the larger caves known as Ngilgi Cave, an aboriginal name for a good spirit that triumphed in a battle with the evil spirit Wolgine. 

 

The original hotel burnt down in 1935 and was subsequently rebuilt.  Caves House was rebuilt in Federation style, an architectural design that became popular in Australia from around 1890 until about 1915. The style was named in honour of the Federation of Australia, when all the states united as one to create the Commonwealth of Australia.  A two storey hipped roofed building, Caves House has an Edwardian Garden, which straying from the tradition of the more  formal Victorian style extends from the house and blends with the natural environment.

 

The interior of Caves House is inter-war Art Deco and its inside this historic house that a ghost, affectionately referred to as Molly, supposedly wanders the building. Molly was said to be a woman that caught her fiancé and bridesmaid having an affair and seemingly hung herself or took her own life by hurling herself from the bridge on the path that leads to the sea. Staff and visitors have reported seeing Molly in mirrors within the house, though she seems to prefer Room Six of the hotel.  She is said to turn lights on and off and doors throughout the house open and close unexpectedly.

 

When I visited Caves House I thought the building was quite ominous and the Edwardian Garden that eventually led to the sea was fascinating in the way that its formality just sort of ebbs away and suddenly you are standing in a windswept and natural environment with no hint of any human interference. I had a lot of trouble finding much out about Molly and her origins, though plenty of people seem to have experienced her. Haunted or not Caves House is a fascinating place to visit.

 

Luna Park Melbourne

Luna Park, Melbourne, opened on Friday 13th in December 1912 to a first-night crowd of 22,000 people. One of five Luna parks created - and one of two still open today - Luna Park Melbourne was developed on the site of a demolished fun park called Dreamland by American Film producer James Dixon Williams.  Later to become famous for the creation of the film company First National Film (Warner Brothers) and signing the most lucrative film contract of its time with actor Charlie Chaplin, JD Williams arrived in Australia in 1910.  Teaming up with fellow Americans, the Phillips brothers, JD Williams developed Luna Park, which on its opening night was illuminated by 15,000 electric lights.

Still having the oldest continually operating roller coaster in the world and the largest and most elaborate carousel in the Southern Hemisphere, Luna Park is perhaps best known for its iconic 'Mr Moon' entrance, the mouth of which visitors have to walk through to enter the park.  Luna Park has a rich and interesting history, including some unusual deaths.  In 1913, a snake charmer called Henry Deline died violently in the first week of his season performing at the park.  Deline's act involved a woman known as "Sleeping Beauty" who laid very still as he placed snakes on her body.  As Deline was taking a tiger snake from the box of snakes, it hissed and bit him.  The woman known as "Sleeping Beauty" tried to save Deline by cutting the wound and sucking the poison out; it was to no avail, as Deline died.  The act caused fainting and screaming in the audience.

 

In 1926, a Mr Clarence Hurst was killed on the Scenic Railway as he turned to talk to someone, hitting his head on one of the support pylons. 1935 saw a Mr Dyer fall from a car at the high point of the Big Dipper, while just a year later a Harry Maltby died falling from one of the trolley cars and being struck by another.  Probably the most unusual chain of events that led to three shootings happened in 1940. Staff and three youths were arguing when one of the staff members pulled out a gun he was authorised to carry as part of his job transporting earnings from the park.  In the ensuing dispute, an onlooker was shot, a woman leaving the park was shot and killed by a stray bullet, and another attendant who took the gun from the first park worker shot himself by accident. 

It seems reasonable to say that, with this amount of violent death, it is to be expected that there have been sightings of unusual and unexplained phenomena.  The most famous sighting is that of "The Joker", first reported in 1940.  He has been reported as suddenly appearing on the track of the Scenic Railway in front of oncoming cars; or, more terrifyingly, appearing in the cages of the Ferris Wheel, terrifying patrons. 

I have been to Luna Park in Melbourne many times and, though it's a place that's fun, there is something a little disconcerting about entering into the sinister-looking Mr Moon's mouth.  The rickety sound of the Scenic Railway can be slightly disturbing, as can the cacophony of fairground music to which the dark spirited horses following the Eagle Chariot, the gentler horses following the Peace Chariot, and the golden lead horse, cavort up and down on their never-ending radial journey. 

Abbotsford

Caressing the south bank of the river Tweed is Abbotsford, the beautiful home of renowned Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. Lovingly referred to as his 'Conundrum Castle' I visited his auspicious home just as spring was starting and the first of the seasons flowers were bravely poking their heads up in search of the sun.

 

As soon as you walk into the walled gardens of the property you feel as though you have slipped back in time. Throughout the gardens are statues and other such follies, all adding to the magical feeling of the place.  What is most impressive is Scott's collections which decorate the house and even the garden in the form of ancient stones.  There are gifts from Lord Byron, Flora MacDonald's purse and even the key for the tower Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in. His collection is eclectic and astonishing.

 

It is said that Sir Walter Scott saw a ghost in his own home.  He was awakened by loud noises and armed with a sword went looking for the source of the disturbance. He couldn't find anything but the noises apparently coincided with the death of the head builder of Abbotsford, while the building was in progress.  The builder, George Bullock died in London before the building was completed and has apparently been seen at Abbotsford a few times since his death. 

I am not sure if it was merely being overwhelmed by standing with in touching distance of such things as Byron's mourning ring or a sword belonging to Rob Roy but I believe I saw something at Abbotsford.

It was a cool day and I was standing looking towards the River Tweed from the room in which it is said Sir Walter Scott died, when I saw the figure of a man, his back to me. He was wearing a black, grand coat with a high collar.  I didn't see his face and the second I was distracted he was gone.  It was a quiet day and all the other tourists that had arrived at opening time when I did where still inside.  The figure had appeared and disappeared.  I have no idea who it was but his clothes seemed incongruent to the time.  I like to think it was one of the many ancient visitors that had come to Abbotsford to spend time with Sir Walter Scott or perhaps Scott himself looking at his beloved river in the shadow of his adored Abbotsford. 

If you are interested in more information there is a wonderful website 

http://www.scottsabbotsford.com/

Griffith Park

One of the first places I really love to visit when I arrive in California is Griffith Park.  As a huge fan of James Dean I have tried to go to as many places as I could where I know he had definitely been. The iconic Griffith Park Observatory, was used as a backdrop to some of the most dramatic scenes in Rebel Without A Cause.  There is even a statue of James Dean to commemorate the filming of the movie in this legendary place.  I have been to Griffith Park many times now and I am always in awe.  I like to imagine James Dean slouching laconically on one of the white washed walls.

 

 

   

 

   

                 
 It seems however that Griffith Park is rife with many fascinating legends, as well as mysterious and ghostly happenings.
                                            

 

In 1863 a young woman of seventeen, Dona Petronilla, proclaimed a curse on the land when she discovered that her Uncle Don Antonio Feliz had not bequeathed it to her in his will.  She cursed the land and the man that had inherited the land, as well as the one who had assisted the new landowner in acquiring it.  Some believe that the ailing Don Feliz had been taken advantage of on his death bed and in fact this had resulted in Dona Petronilla losing the land.

Following Dona Petronilla’s alleged cursing of the land it has been plagued by disastrous wildfires and subsequent owners died tragic and untimely deaths.  One was killed by bandits in Mexico, one was shot in a local saloon, and of course there was the tragic events around Colonel Griffith J Griffith.

Griffith purchased the land in 1882.  The land was afflicted by droughts and fires and a violent storm during which many believed that they saw the ghost of Dona Petronilla.  In 1891 Griffith miraculously survived a shotgun wound but by then he had had enough and he began to gift free parcels of land to the citizens of Los Angeles. The curse however did not stop and in 1903, a usually sober man, Griffith, in what was described as ‘alcoholic insanity’ shot his wife.  She survived the shooting but Griffith spent the rest of his days in prison, dying in 1919.

The most frequently sighted ghosts in Griffith Park are Dona Petronilla, usually appearing as a woman dressed in white or a woman in white riding a white horse, Griffith or Feliz.  The Crystal Springs Rangers Headquarters is the oldest remaining structure in the park and some believe they have seen Dona Petronilla staring from the window of the adobe.  Feliz’s ghost has been reported near Bee Rock near the old zoo.  Some people even going so far as to say that Bee Rock has a resemblance to Don Petronilla.  Griffith J Griffith has been sighted on horseback. There is also a strange story that in 1896, when the land was transferred from Griffith to the city, many guests were shocked by the ghostly appearance of Don Antonio Feliz.  He sat at a seat usually reserved for Griffith and invited all the guests to dine with him in hell and proclaimed that he had bought an escort of sub demons.  Prank or not the guests exited the building with haste.  There have been rumours that a werewolf stalks the hills of Griffith Park, though there are some that believe that it is in fact one of Don Feliz’s demons.

 

Some nights people have reported looking over to the Hollywood sign and seeing a young woman taking a leap from the letter H.  The woman jumps and then disappears.  This weird sighting is attributed to a young starlet by the name of Peggy Entwistle.  She apparently committed suicide, leaping from the letter H of the iconic sign plastered across the Hollywood Hills. Following this tragic occurrence in 1932 people have also reported seeing a young woman matching the description of Peggy walking along the trails of Griffith Park as well as smelling her favoured scent, Gardenia.

 

There was an old zoo situated in the park which rumour has it treated its captured animals in a cruel and inhumane nature.  Because of this there have been paranormal disturbances attributed to the animals that suffered and died in the zoo.

Though this story has no actual proof, there is a legend of a young couple, having been killed by a freak tree falling while making love on a picnic table.  The story goes on to claim that workmen hired to clean away the debris of the  tree got sick, one even dying of a heart attack.  Though no actual confirmation of this story exists there have been numerous sightings of a ghostly young couple in the area where the purported accident occurred.

The Honorary Mayor of Griffith Park, Luis Alvarado reported two sightings of a ghostly figure near the Merry Go Round in the park.  The figure descended stairs and the vanished into thin air before Alvarado’s eyes.

 

No matter what your beliefs on the strange and ghostly legends of Griffith Park it is well worth exploring !

 

 

 

 

The Violinist

Over the years I have experienced my own paranormal events.  I default to the understanding they are of a paranormal nature as usual reason and consequential attempts at debunking these occurrences have left me with no other satisfactory explanation. 

One of the events occurred several years ago and is one of two that took place in schools, not a strange coincidence considering I was a teacher for many years.  I use to teach in a Catholic school situated in a building with its origins in the 1930s.  The large, airy classrooms had lead light in the windows imported from Italy and rather thriftily the nuns old wardrobes were used as storage cupboards. Elderly Nuns still lived in the school, in the far end of the wing I taught in and in parts on the floor above it.  The nuns no longer taught but were often seen wandering around the school.  There was a chapel and two classrooms, the nuns bedrooms, a kitchen and a few offices in this older part of the building.  The rest of the school was newer and had been built a little away from the original building.  My classroom had glorious views and above it was an unused classroom and a turret.  The turret room was used for storage and closed up.  

One night a group of five of us were at the school, standing outside in the courtyard.  We had returned from a performance venue to the school, where parents were asked to pick up their children. As it was already dark and late we did not open the locked school but stood instead in the courtyard, waiting for the last, notoriously tardy, parent to arrive. The school was in darkness and we stood chatting in front of the verandah of my classroom, the barricaded turret looming over us.

The  first indication something was not as it should be was when I happened to look up at the small turret window and from within it thought I could see a soft flicker of light.

I knew that no one could get into the room easily and looked behind me to see if perhaps it was a reflection.  I could see no light sources or reflections that could explain what resembled the light cast by a candle. The window was gabled and the more I looked the more I could now see a light flickering from within, against each of the panes.  Just as I was bringing the light to the attention of my colleagues we all heard, at the same time, the mournful sound of a violin.  It was so loud and so clear you could hear the bow as it scraped across the strings, the instrument ebbing and flowing in peaks of what was a most sorrowful melody.  By this point we had all moved closer and were standing directly under the turret, the music playing, it's evocative song undulating and filling the night air as what seemed to be a candle flickering, accompanied it. 

Our attention was momentarily distracted by the late parent as she bustled through the school gate all full of excuses and the music stopped.  Inside the window now there was only darkness. After the parent left we watched and listened but nothing more happened.  We parted and headed home, a sense of uneasiness unspoken between us as the ever sensible principal declared it to have been a trick of the light or perhaps one of the nuns playing the instrument in another part of the building,  though we knew of none of the elderly inhabitants that played the violin.  The principal laughed it off declaring we could check in the morning. 

I was in early and one of the groundskeepers and myself climbed the rickety stairs to the small room in the turret.  It had all manner of school debris piled around and across the door, none of it looking like it had been moved in recent times. The groundskeeper and I shifted some things and with a lot of determination opened the jammed door to be greeted by a room filled with discarded junk, stacked high and across the floor.  It looked as though no one had been in the room for years. We jammed the door shut replacing the items that had been in front of the door and left.

We didn't mention it again, the bustle of school life and no obvious explanation causing us to somehow agree, without saying a word, to just let it go, until one day I found myself chatting to one of the nuns that lived in the convent.  She nodded and assured me that of course I heard the violin and it had been a nun that used to play the instrument but she had died young, she did however still like to come back and play when the mood struck her.

Disneyland

 

I love Disneyland and I go as often as I can. I remember the first time I walked through the gates of the Magical Kingdom and stood before Sleeping Beauty's castle.  It was just as I had remembered it. I use to see it at the end of every episode of The Wonderful World of Disney which I faithfully watched every Sunday night as a child. In front of the castle the iconic statue of Walt and Mickey beckons visitors forward, bringing you further into the magic of this amazing world.  It may not surprise you to know that Disneyland has its share of unexplained phenomena. 

 

 

My favourite ride in Disneyland is the Haunted Mansion.  As you pass through the ornate gates into the beautifully kept gardens you are greeted by a quirky pet cemetery and a white hearse with a ghost horse.  You are ushered to a waiting area in which you are left with jangling nerves, unsure what to expect. Then gothic "doom buggies" take you through the dark mansion allowing you fleeting and frightening glimpses of all manner of spectral happenings.

 

There are rumours that not all the haunted happenings in this amazing place are created by the imagineers and their marvels. There is a story that the mother of a deceased child approached Disneyland and asked if she could scatter his ashes along his favourite ride, the Haunted Mansion. There are some discrepancies in the story, some saying the woman was allowed to have a small service for her son in Disneyland some saying she was not, but all stories agree that she was forbidden from sprinkling his ashes on the ride. The story goes however that the deceased child's mother decided to sneak his ashes in and she scattered them. Since this took place a small spectral boy fitting the child's description has been seen sitting crying at the entrance gate of the haunted mansion.

 

 

One person has actually died in the Haunted Mansion. It is tradition for Disneyland to hold a "Grad Night".  One student decided he wanted to have a closer look at the "Séance Circle" and he climbed out of the doom buggy.  What he didn't realise is that there is a gap between the track and the floor and he plunged to his death. This area known as the Séance Circle in the Haunted Mansion has had some strange occurrences.  A sound engineer working on the area could hear music. At first he assumed that a radio had somehow been walled into the building but no radio announcer ever came on the stream and in the end he had to place a speaker that created sound over the unexplained music.

 

 

The famed Matterhorn is rumoured to be haunted by a woman named Dolly.  She had gone on the ride with her children and in the middle of the ride she was so worried about them she undid the seat belt to turn and see if they were safe.  She subsequently fell from the ride and was run over by the next bobsled.  The decline where she was killed has become known as Dolly's Dip.

 

In the past the Disneyland waterway, the Rivers of America, in which all exotic manner of water craft including the famed paddle steamer the Mark Twain, can be found, was a swimming area.  There have been three recorded drowning in this water way.  Two brothers, and a student on a "Grad Night" at Disneyland, are said to have drowned there. Tom Sawyers Island in the middle of the Rivers of America is believed to be haunted by children that run around the island when the park is closed.  When Disney employees go to the island, after such a reported sighting, no one is ever there.

 

 

 

A few places in the New Orleans area of Disneyland are said to be haunted. The Pirates of the Caribbean ride is said to be haunted by a little boy that shows up on security cameras when the park is closed but when the ride is checked he is never there. Unexplained sounds and giggles have been heard in the darkest part of the ride, Transition Tunnel.  The exclusive Club 33, designed like a speakeasy and the only place in Disneyland where alcohol is served is also said to be haunted.

 

 

A young man reportedly fell to his death from a ride in Tomorrowland The ride has since been removed.  As he fell from the car he was said to have grabbed at the blonde hair of his girlfriend. His ghost has been known to have manifest itself to blonde girls and apparently tugs at their hair.

 

 

It is rumoured that Walt Disney haunts his famed park.  One night a cleaner working in Walt Disney's secret apartment above the Fire Station on Main Street noticed that some lights had been left on.  When she turned them off she is reported to have heard a male voice say "Don't forget I am still here".  They leave the light on now as a tribute to Walt.  A very interesting security camera film shows what appears to be a figure walking through the park.  It looks a little like Walt.....I will let you decide for yourself.

 http://youtu.be/jnjibWcbV2o