‘Macabre fascination’ drives popularity of Calgary’ historical ghost tours

As it gets darker earlier and plants shrivel and decay, ghost tours offer the chance to embrace this spooky season—and learn a little local history.

Black-cloaked guides carrying lanterns lead guests on nighttime tours through historic Calgary buildings as they share tales about our ancestors and recent unexplained encounters.

“Really hook people in when you’re telling them the stories and then scare them, but there’s also the component of the history,” said Levi Lewko, a ghost tour guide and historical interpreter at Heritage Park.

“This year specifically, we’ve kind of re-done almost the whole tour,” he said.

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Chilling tales about one of Calgary’s early pioneer families, a deadly train derailment and mysterious phenomena in the bakery are all part of Heritage Park’s ghost tours this season.

The idea intrigued a group of young women from Calgary who have visited the park many times before in the daylight.

“I definitely grew up coming here and we were always told that the Prince House is haunted,” said Michela Cousin.

The ghost tours lead guests along the streets and inside some of the old buildings.

“Why not learn more about the history of Calgary and maybe get a little spooked?” said Victoria Bowns.

Lewko has been guiding ghost tours at the historical village for three years and has often heard guests scream.

“A lot of the stories in those homes involve someone hearing or seeing something or even feeling something,” said Lewko.

Exploring the park after dark provides a whole new experience, even for staff who know it well.

Lewko had a spooky encounter after he and all the guests had exited a home one night.

“On one of my previous ghost tours, I locked up and said, ‘goodnight,’ at which point I heard the stairs creak quickly as if there were someone coming down them. I’ve never heard them creak unless someone was actively on them.

“I think I locked that place quicker than I ever have.”

Even those who didn’t experience anything unexplained felt the setting satisfying.

“The stories were very, very compelling and just to listen and be part of those stories and at this time of night in an historical village,” said Rod MacCormack.

“Whether you believe in them or not, I think there can be a lot of fun just to listen to those stories.”

Plus, there’s always the chance your spooky encounter may come later.

“I’m going to look back at my photos and perhaps something will appear there that I didn’t see.”

Heritage Park’s fall ghost tours sell out quickly, but it is offering several other spooky events this October.

The park also offers ghost tours in the spring.

“I think it’s the sort of uncertainty and unknown about the whole thing. Maybe we do want to believe or don’t want to believe, but there’s this macabre fascination with it,” Lewko said.