Explore the Haunted Legends of British Columbia with Local Historians

As the spooky season approaches, interest in the supernatural is surging in British Columbia. Two Metro Vancouver historians, Gina Armstrong and Victoria Vancek, have dedicated their work to uncovering the province’s haunted history through their initiative, Haunted History BC. Their research dives deep into eerie tales, historic archives, and well-known haunted locations, revealing that B.C. is more haunted than many may realize.

“We’re not just telling spooky stories; we’re keeping history alive,” Vancek stated. Her sister, Armstrong, emphasized that their work encompasses more than just the thrill of ghosts. “We look at the history behind each story and share it in a way that’s both respectful and spooky,” she added during an interview with Daily Hive.

The sisters’ fascination with the supernatural began in childhood. Armstrong recalls discovering Alfred Hitchcock’s eerie tales when she was around nine or ten, igniting a passion for haunted places. Meanwhile, Vancek’s intrigue stemmed from the stories behind forgotten landmarks. “That curiosity grew into a deeper interest in the paranormal and the histories that shape it,” she explained.

Investigations at Haunted Sites

Armstrong and Vancek describe themselves as open-minded skeptics who blend science, history, and intuition in their investigations. “Paranormal work is a mix of science, history, and intuition,” Vancek noted, while Armstrong highlighted the ambiguity involved in such investigations. “Energy doesn’t vanish. It lingers. I’ve seen and heard enough to believe,” she stated, acknowledging the challenges of documenting paranormal phenomena.

Among their most notable investigations is the Vancouver Police Museum, which once served as the city’s first morgue. Armstrong reported capturing unexplained voices and noises during their visit, describing it as one of the most active paranormal locations in the city. Visitors have often reported chilling sensations in the museum’s preserved crime exhibits, and some claim to hear whispers emanating from the former morgue drawers.

The sisters also explored the Dominion Building, where they recorded what sounded like a child’s voice in an empty hallway. Their investigations often involve interviewing staff and visitors to corroborate the stories they collect.

Vancek recently visited the Washington Avenue Grill in White Rock, which is known for its ghostly apparitions. The owners openly acknowledge the paranormal activity, even including the building’s spooky backstory on the dessert menu. “It invites patrons to share any paranormal experiences with staff,” Vancek explained.

Pitt Lake in Pitt Meadows is another hotspot for the supernatural, known for its connection to Sasquatch sightings and the infamous legend of Slumach’s gold. According to local lore, Slumach was executed in New Westminster in the late 1800s for murder, and tales of a cursed gold mine near Pitt Lake have persisted for generations, attracting many prospectors and leading to mysterious deaths and disappearances.

Unveiling Hidden Histories

The sisters’ work often leads to surprising discoveries. At Irving House in New Westminster, they found a signed letter from Captain Irving’s granddaughter tucked inside a book. The house, built in 1865, is now a preserved community heritage site. Staff and visitors have reported smelling pipe smoke and hearing faint sounds of bagpipes, adding to the home’s mysterious atmosphere.

“Several staff and visitors would occasionally smell pipe smoke, hear the faint sound of bagpipes being played, and on a couple of rare occasions, a white feather would mysteriously waft down from the staircase,” reads the Haunted History BC website. Armstrong described finding the letter as “almost otherworldly,” a “nod from history itself.”

The sisters emphasize that not all spirits are malevolent. “Most spirits we’ve encountered are neutral,” Vancek said. They argue that paranormal activity is not limited to old, creepy buildings but is about the energy present in a location. Armstrong pointed out that reality television has shaped a narrow perception of paranormal research. “Real research is about respect, accuracy, and community,” she stated.

As part of their ongoing efforts, Armstrong and Vancek are releasing new books. Armstrong’s latest work, Ghost Stories for Winter, draws inspiration from the Victorian tradition of sharing supernatural tales during long winter nights. Vancek’s upcoming book, Evenings & Avenues: Hauntings in the Outskirts, focuses on lesser-known paranormal cases in B.C. “It’s about uncovering hidden histories that aren’t on anyone’s radar until we dig into them,” she remarked.

Haunted History BC also hosts live events throughout the province, offering an immersive experience for those interested in the paranormal. From garden walks to ghostly investigations, they invite communities to engage with B.C.’s rich and often eerie history. For those keen to explore the supernatural side of British Columbia, checking their full event calendar could be the first step into a world where history and the paranormal intersect.