Spooky stories from Lower Fort Garry
Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site
Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site has had many uses over its nearly 200 years of existence: Hudson Bay Company fort, jail, psychiatric hospital and more. Each year, skilled interpreters share stories of former residents. But the interpreters aren’t the only ones at the site who bring these stories to life. Read on to discover three supernatural stories featuring people (and one faithful pup!) who were connected to Lower Fort Garry in the past and who make their presence known today.
Spooky story 1: The Warehouse Keyholder
WARNING - This section contains a story about death by suicide which may be upsetting to some people.
The Warehouse Key Holder
Thomas Slack was a key holder in the penitentiary located in the Warehouse from 1871-1877. A European man who came to Rupertsland without his family; Slack’s intention was to make enough money to bring them to live with him. After settling in his job, Slack took a country wife* - something not uncommon for European workers.
He lived happily for about a year, when a letter arrived from his wife. After inheriting a large sum of money after a relative’s death, she and their children were travelling to Rupertsland to join him. Due to a delay since the letter was sent, Slack’s wife and children would arrive within days. According to another turnkey’s journal, Slack entered a temporary fit of insanity, not knowing what to do about his country wife. It is rumoured he went to the third floor of the warehouse and died by suicide.
Team members have reported feeling watched when they are in the Warehouse alone. One team member had visitors comment about a costumed man behind her. When she turned around, she saw no one there. Team members on site at night have reported seeing a man watching them from a window on the third floor of the Warehouse. Upon investigating, they found it empty.
Spooky story 2: Three-step Ghost
Three-step Ghost
Many team members have reported a ghost on the path to the Men’s House that makes it sound like people are walking up to the wood floor of the blacksmith’s bedroom.
There are always three steps: one on the gravel, one on the steps, and one on the floor of the blacksmith’s bedroom. As soon as they hear the sound, team members get ready to greet visitors.
When no one appears to be in the room, they search but they never find any visitors on the walkway or in the house.
Spooky story 3: Tit Loup
Tit Loup (Little Wolf)
Jean-Louis Blanchard was regularly hired as a tripsman by the Hudson Bay Company. Often accompanied by his dog Tit Loup (Little Wolf), Blanchard would depart from Lower Fort Garry every spring in a York boat. Every year, Tit Loup would watch Blanchard’s departure from the riverbank and spend the season at Lower Fort Garry, waiting for his owner to come home.
Tragically, one year there was an accident and Blanchard didn’t return. It’s said that Tit Loup can sometimes be seen running along the riverbank at night, eagerly awaiting Blanchard’s return.
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