Vancouver Ghosts: Gastown

Hauntings at the Old Spaghetti Factory,Gaoler's Mews and Blood Alley

Mar 10, 2007

Water Street Gastown Vancouver BC, MK Fleury

Paranormal activity can also be found in Vancouver Canada in the Gastown neighborhood at Water Street, Irish Heather Pub,Dominion Hotel,

Gastown was the site of the first European settlement in Vancouver. It started out as a lumber mill, then grew to an established town after a saloon and other businesses were established. Like any other frontier town, it had its share of crime, punishment and disasters.

The Old Spaghetti Factory Vancouver

One of the most noted paranormal hotspots is The Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown. Witnesses have seen the apparition of a man dressed in old fashioned clothes sitting in the trolley car located in the dining room. He has also been spotted in the ladies washroom. Restaurant employees claim that this spirit is most active in the evening after the dining room is closed. He likes to rearrange the cutlery on the tables that are situated in the trolley. Several employees have heard this man call out their names, but only after they have worked at the restaurant for a while. Perhaps the ghost has to first observe new employees and get to know them better.

Looking back in history, this restaurant sits on top of an underground railway. There was a tragic collision years ago and the ghost in the restaurant is believed to be the conductor. This may explain the spirit’s attachment to the trolley car. Years ago, the trolley had been decommissioned and sat in a salvage yard. It was restored and moved to the restaurant in 1970. A picture was taken of the trolley and upon closer look; an apparition is seen on the steps of the car. This picture hangs in the restaurant today.

Water Street Vancouver

There have been sightings of an apparition of a decapitated Asian mine worker wandering down Water Street (the main street) and carrying a lantern. There are two stories surrounding the fate of this man. One story tells of this mine worker being attacked and decapitated by thieves. Another story relates the incident as the mine worker carrying a lantern as he was walking along the railroad track late at night. He tripped and caught his leg in a rail, and ended up being decapitated by the next train that came through.

Irish Heather Pub Vancouver

The Irish Heather pub was originally the first police station established in Vancouver. Customers have reported sounds of clattering chains and slamming cell doors in the washrooms.

Dominion Hotel Vancouver

A night cleaner at the Dominion Hotel claimed to have seen drinking glasses that were hanging on a rack above the bar start to rattle and clink each other. He also said that one glass came off the rack, hung in the air, and then dropped to the floor.

Gaoler's Mews and Blood Alley Vancouver

Other haunted areas in Gastown are Gaoler’s Mews, the city’s first jail, where public hangings were held and in Blood Alley where fights, robberies and stabbings took place.

If visiting Vancouver, VanRoutes conducts walking tours of Gastown every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights year round.

The copyright of the article Vancouver Ghosts: Gastown in Ghosts & Hauntings is owned by Maureen K. Fleury. Permission to republish Vancouver Ghosts: Gastown must be granted by the author in writing.