Story and photos by Marg Seregelyi
People are becoming more and more fascinated with apparitions and hauntings these days.
 
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Seven years ago, Stephanie and Daniel Cumerlato of Hamilton,
Ont., decided to cash in on their city's rich history of old
buildings and ghostly tales.
They run four Ghost Walks throughout the Hamilton and
Niagara Region.
A guide takes you to historical buildings and homes that
claim to be haunted. The evening tour lasts about 90 minutes.
 One of the stops in the Downtown Hamilton Ghost Walk
includes the Royal Connaught Hotel. Staff members report seeing
the Lady In White wander the halls from time to time.
The Lady in Brown is occasionally spotted at the Old Capital
Theatre. Now a restaurant, it is rumoured the manager of the
theatre murdered his wife and buried her within the walls.
It is also believed that Jack The Ripper resided in Hamilton
circa 1856.
The 1882 Whitehern estate is home to the haunting by a woman
singing and music playing into the wee hours of the night.
The 1856 St. Paul's Presbyterian Church bells ring at odd
hours.
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Lanternlit Ghost Walk is filled with
legends and tales of haunted pubs, inns and homes dating back
to the early 18th and 19th century.
The Buttery, now an eating establishment, served as a busy
port after the War of 1812. Stories of paranormal activities by
the spirits of five murdered people have been told over the
years.
The Prince of Wales Hotel reports moving objects and closing
doors. It is believed to be the spirit of Molly McGuire who met
her untimely death in 1813, when an American soldier stabbed
her in the back.
The Haunted Gazebo located at Queen's Royal Park was used in
the movie The Dead Zone, starring actor Christopher Walken. The
woman in white has been seen pacing and walking as if waiting
for her lost love.
The Olde Angel Inn circa 1825, claims to be haunted by
Captain Colin Swayze. Footsteps, clinking of glasses, laughter
and drum music are supposedly heard.
The other two walks include The Customs House and The
Hermitage Ruins.
For more information, log on to www.ghostwalks.com .