Spooky season is almost here, which means many people will be hitting up pumpkin patches and putting together epic Halloween costumes. However, if you really want to get in a supernatural mood, why not visit some of Calgary's most haunted places?
Several spots around Calgary are known for harbouring otherworldly beings, from phantom piano players to the spirits of children who died tragic deaths and even a ghost monkey.
Fancy some ghost hunting this fall? These are some haunted spots in Calgary that are sure to give you the chills.
Rouge
Address: 1240 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Fine dining restaurant Rouge is located in a historic home that dates back to 1891. It was built by A.E. Cross, who was one of the original businessmen who founded the Calgary Stampede. Tragically, Cross lost two of his children to diphtheria in the home.
Many believe the house is haunted by the Cross family. An episode of Creepy Canada revealed that staff have seen frying pans mysteriously move and doors slam for no reason. Creepier occurrences include laughter coming from the basement and a figure of a ghostly man in the dining room.
Knox United Church
Address: 506 4 St SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: The Knox United Church has a pretty imposing appearance with its Neo-Gothic sandstone facade. Step inside though and it's warm and inviting with an atmosphere that welcomes everyone, including a few souls who may have lived long ago.
According to Haunted Places, many people say they've seen ghostly figures in the church praying, chatting and walking through walls. Others report strange happenings like an organ player who said they were slapped by an invisible hand for not getting the music right.
Deane House
Address: 806 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Built in 1906 by Captain Richard Deane of the North West Mounted Police, Deane House has seen its fair share of tragedies. In 1971, a man murdered his wife, then took his own life in the house.
Deane House is now a fine-dining restaurant, but you may get more than just a great meal on your visit there. The Calgary Herald recounted tales of people hearing footsteps, smelling phantom cigar smoke and seeing apparitions in the building. Apparently there's even a blood stain in the attic that shifts shape and size.
Hose & Hound
Address: 1030 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Inglewood is the oldest neighbourhood in Calgary, so it makes sense that it's also home to several of Calgary's most haunted buildings. One of those is the Hose & Hound Pub. Built in 1906, the building was once Calgary Fire Station No. 3.
Read up on the history of the Hose & Hound and you'll learn that the first fire chief, James "Cappy" Smart, had a penchant for exotic pets, including a monkey that was put down after attacking a child. Many staff believe the monkey haunts the building and plays tricks like throwing baking powder around, turning on the dishwasher and untying people's shoes.
Fairmont Palliser
Address: 133 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
When it opened in 1914, the Fairmont Palliser was the most luxurious hotel in Calgary and it's still just as opulent today. With so many people passing through the doors over the past century, it may not be surprising that supernatural activity reportedly takes place.
According to Global News, the most common sighting at the Fairmont Palliser is a ghostly man dressed like a conductor. Others have reported hearing wild parties going on in unoccupied rooms or being woken up in the middle of the night by a tap on the hand only to find no one there.
Elephant & Castle (formerly Rose & Crown Pub)
Address: 1503 4 St SW, Calgary, AB
Before Elephant & Castle inhabited the black and white building at 1503 4th Street SW, it was the Rose & Crown Pub. And before that, it was a funeral home. That may explain why staff who worked at the former Rose & Crown reported so many strange happenings.
Spirits Untapped stated that many people would see a small boy roaming the building and hiding in the basement. Sometimes people would hear footsteps upstairs when no one was there, see lights flickering for no reason and find windows inexplicably opened.
The Devil's Playground
Address: 84 Street and 9 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: One of Calgary's spookiest urban legends involves a schoolhouse burning down and killing everyone inside. Some say the ghosts of the school children haunt an area that is known as the Devil's Playground.
The site of the old schoolhouse has now been developed, but CBC News reported that prior to that, people reported hearing children laughing, seeing animal bones set up in deliberate formations and finding children's handprints on their cars. If you want to learn more, a local filmmaker made a documentary about it titled Devils Playground.
Civic Tavern
Address: 213 12 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
By day, the Civic Tavern is a fun pub where you can chill on the patio or sip craft beers inside. After dark, that's when many people say they hear whispers and see the shadowy figure of a woman in the halls. An episode of Eerie Alberta covered the tavern and recounted some of these sightings.
The house was built in 1911 and has gone through many transformations. It was once a boarding house for women, a nursing home and an auto body shop. Considering it's one of the only original houses still standing in the Victoria Park area, it's not a stretch to think it might harbour some old souls.
Suitor House
Address: 1004 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Suitor House is a historic building that's now home to doctor's offices, but at one time it was a hospital and a boarding house for railway workers. Many people have passed away in the building over the years, but one in particular may forever be tied to the home.
One of the railway workers who lived there with his wife was jumping between rail cars one day when he slipped and lost his life. Legend has it that his wife was so heartbroken that she died in the house shortly afterward. Heritage Calgary stated that many believe the wife still haunts the building.
L.H. Doll Block
Street View of 116 8 Ave SE · Google MapsAddress: 116 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Stroll along 8th Avenue in Calgary and you may be struck by the striking architecture of the L.H. Doll block. You may also see the faint figure of a woman looking down at you from one of the upstairs windows.
The building was constructed by a jeweller named Louis Henry Doll in 1907. That same year, Doll's 10-year-old daughter died and Doll was devastated. According to the Calgary Herald, many believe the woman that appears in the window is Doll's lost daughter.
Interestingly, the building is also known for another bizarre event. In 1910, Doll sold the building to his apprentice, David Ernest Black. Just one year later, Black's jewellery shop was robbed in what was the largest diamond heist in Calgary history.
Prince House
Address: 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Situated in Heritage Park, Prince House gives off some seriously spooky vibes. It was built in 1894 by Peter Anthony Prince, who founded the Calgary Water Power Company. Prince had four wives, three of whom died of illnesses. Many believe they still haunt the building today.
Heritage Park stated that staff working at the park have reported seeing a ghostly woman in white peering out the windows. They also say that doors open and close on their own and that footsteps can often be heard on the second floor despite nobody being there.