Review copies of The Blue Ghost Tunnel Making of a Legend are now available.

Review copies of The Blue Ghost Tunnel Making of a Legend are now available.

Please contact johnjsavoie@hotmail.com to request your copy. In order to receive an advanced review copy you must show that you have written book reviews and have a related web site.

In paranormal circles across Canada and the United States, the hauntings at The Blue Ghost Tunnel (BGT) frequent the conversation. Often referred to as "The Most Haunted Location" in Canada or a place where you are guaranteed activity, the tunnel is synonymous with historical haunted locations across North America.

 I've been investigation the tunnel as a possible haunt for the past 14 years as a solo investigator, with The Niagara Amateur Ghost Seekers and with members of The Shadows Project. In the late 1990s the tunnel, previously known under various descriptions became popularized as The Blue Ghost Tunnel, the name coined by a young paranormal investigator who is said to have witnessed a "Blue Misty Ghost".

A few years of intense interest on the Internet, multiple investigations and visits by paranormal enthusiasts prompted the once popular TV program Creepy Canada to film at the location. Together with a Ghost Tour Group Haunted Hamilton, questionable psychics and an impromtu "historian" of the tunnel, they exposed the location to tens of thousands of viewers solidifying the legend and suspected haunt. The episode depicted the tunnel as "700 ft of Hell on Earth!" As a result of their illegal trespassing and exposure of the location, the site became explosively popular and thousands of visitors each year come to visit the tunnel prompting the Seaway Authority to attempt to secure the location. Even with extensive security, people trek out to discover the BGT for themselves...

But who really discovered this long, lost tunnel? What is the truth behind the hauntings and experiences at the tunnel? Is the tunnel an Urban Legend, conjured-up by a young wannabe author? Are we simply developing our own experiences using our own minds? Or is the tunnel really haunted? And by whom? I decided to write about the tunnel, because I am fascinated with legends and lore and how they develop and what truth is hidden within.

The book includes interviews, photographs and documents from decades past including the first ever investigation in 1976. It includes historical accounts from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s with photographs and evidence supporting a number of theories. Photographs have been generously donated by residents including Kevin Valencourt, Niagara-area photographer. Please visit the Facebook Group Page for The Blue Ghost Tunnel: Making of a Legend and support and discuss this project.

The Haunted Niagara Falls Customs House

The Stone Jug

The former Post Office, Police Station and Customs House stands tall in the desolate downtown area of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The massive three-story stone structure was abandoned after a fire destroyed the interior of the main building and some of the exterior portions of the additions. Holes in the roof have causes extensive water damage and the building is unsafe to investigate or visit.

There have been reports as far back as the 1950s of a shadowy man who has been seen in the upper floors, pacing the hallways and peering out of windows. In the 1970s a group of teenagers believed they saw this same entity walk through the front doors and proceed across the street where the figure vanished.

Others have seen a woman crying on the front steps that appears for a few moments and then disappears into a mist-like form. Strange, unnatural noises from the back portion of the building have been reported by witnesses and many thrill-seekers have ventured into the back portion to investigate. To date, only a handful have been inside to investigate.

I have investigated The Stone Jug on two occasions, once in 2001 and again in 2004 for the book Shadows of Niagara.

The first investigation I was allowed to enter the basement and first floor only, as the entire upper floors were destroyed or distressed. In 2004, we only allowed on the main floor and the back rooms as the building had further degraded.

There have been attempts to repair the building but each attempt runs out of funds and the building stands empty to this date.

Below is a rare view of the Niagara Falls Customs House interior:

More pictures can be found here:

http://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2008/10/stone-jug.html

The Archives: NAGS The Screaming Tunnel

The Niagara Amateur Ghost Seekers (NAGS) investigated Niagara Falls' Screaming Tunnel. NAGS was accompanied by guest investigator Toadfuss. Below are the results of the investigation:

Notes from GhostBoy:

The Screaming Tunnel in Niagara Falls is one of Canada’s most widely-known haunted hot spots. The legend of the Screaming Tunnel has been handed down to generation to generation and each time I hear the story – the legend is different.

What is for certain is that there are spirits trapped within the walls of the tunnel. As outlined in my investigations with Pauline Raby for the book Shadows of Niagara, these entities appear as if they have been disrespected by teenager and adults looking for a quick scare.

On the NAGS investigation of The Screaming Tunnel it was continually being visited to by crowds of teens and adults looking to test the legend. After much giggling and screaming the teens and adults left the tunnel.

I entered the tunnel first and took only a few steps into its dark, muddy interior. I could feel the energy of the tunnel and announced that we were not there to disrespect the entities as did the previous individuals. NAZ and I entered the tunnel together and walked its length. Near the end of the tunnel I asked NAZ if he could hear a female talking. He indicated he had not and the recorder did not pick the voice up. NAZ and I split up several times while in the tunnel. At this point I was just “feeling” an energy present, but could not detect any other paranormal activity.

Toadfuss joined us within the tunnel and said he could see little “lights” zipping about. NAZ said that he seen these also, but I could not see them. Toadfuss had to make an exit and so we said our good-byes and then continued our investigation.

Kevin, Dr. Gord and makeajazznoise continued through the tunnel and to the house ruins behind the tunnel. As expected, they did not find any town, nor any other buildings as indicated by other paranormal web sites.

Meanwhile, Naz and myself remained in the tunnel and we decided it may be best to contact the spirit at the front of the tunnel (near Warner Rd.) We had our equipment set up and asked very specific questions of the spirit. Naz indicated he could see the lights flashing and zipping about again. I did not see these, however, a misty horse figure appeared at one point. I also received the name of “James”.

After asking specific and probing questions of the spirit I decided to push the envelope further and ask the spirit if he knew he was dead and continued on this topic. Suddenly, without warning the back of my neck was pinched very hard. I swore and grabbed my neck and proceeded out of the tunnel. The feeling stopped almost instantly but the pinched tendons and muscles ached.

Physical evidence of a ghost is no surprise to me and I decided to return where I had left Naz and ask some specific questions about the sensation I had felt such as: “Why did you do that?” Is this the pain you have felt?” etc. etc. I did not get a reply.

The group joined us shortly thereafter and we congregated near the spot where two independent psychics felt the spirit of the female would be (More details of this can be found in the book Shadows of Niagara).

At this point, Dr. Gord indicated he felt cold on one side. Kevin, also indicated he could feel it. I moved in behind Dr. Gord and could also feel it near his left side. However, I kept my attention on the opposite end of our group because I could see faint movements out of the corner of my eye. Naz later stated he saw and felt the same. Makeajazznoise made a comment that the tunnel seemed to get darker and it appeared so. We didn’t get anything else out of this space and so we moved to our second location where I was physically touched.

At this point we made our circle and tried to make contact with the spirit. Dr. Gord indicated that he could see something on the ground, but none of our team could see it. We continued this investigation, however, nothing out of the ordinary occurred thereafter.

Notes from nAz:

This was my second trip to the Screaming Tunnel, my first with the NAGS team. The Team met up with Toadfuss onsite.

GhostBoy entered the tunnel first, I followed soon behind. The rest of the Team & Toadfuss waited at the entrance.

Near the end of the tunnel GhostBoy asked if I had heard a female voice, I did not, nor did my recorder pick up anything. I ventured through the tunnel and investigated the rear, checking out the new construction. After returning to the “entrance” the rest of the team went to investigate the “well” and surrounding area leaving GhostBoy, Toadfuss & myself.

It’s important to note that during this investigation several groups of people interrupted as they too checked out the tunnel and it’s urban legend.

When GhostBoy, Toadfuss & myself reentered the tunnel, that when things started to pick up. Both Toadfuss and I picked up on little lights “swirling” about. Toadfuss remained near the “rear” of the tunnel and GhostBoy and I went to the front to attempt communication. GhostBoy started asking questions of the spirit. Suddenly, GhostBoy clasped the back of his neck as if in pain. He walked away towards towards the front of the tunnel while I remained where I was. When GhostBoy came back he asked the spirit not to do that again & continued questioning the spirit.

The rest of the NAGS team came back in time for two carloads of people to arrive and Toadfuss to leave. After the people had left, the entire NAGS team attempted to communicate with the spirit’s in the tunnel. We first started at the rear of the Tunnel.

While in a circle, members of the group mentioned cold spots & I saw movement in the center of the tunnel. I could not sense anything specific except for the feeling that the spirit was holding back. Next we attempted the same thing at the entrance to the tunnel.
While in circle, Dr.Gord saw something near the ground, again towards the center of the tunnel. Nothing else was felt nor seen during this session.

What I can say about my personal experiences in the tunnel was this, several times while I was walking in the tunnel I could feel someone walking next to me. As I was with GhostBoy, I thought it was him, but he was either several feet ahead or behind.

EVPs Recorded:

1. Male voice asking "Are you some demon?" DOWNLOAD the same EVP slowed down to make it more understandable DOWNLOAD

2. John states "I 'm here to help you" a male voice replies with "Hey". DOWNLOAD

3. John states "Touch us" and a male voice replies "How?" DOWNLOAD

4. John says that Pauline will come, and a male voice says "John". DOWNLOAD

5. Male voice, it is currently undetermined what is being said at the regular speed it was recorded. DOWNLOAD the same EVP slowed down DOWNLOAD

6. John states "Please respond", and a male voice states "Not exactly home". DOWNLOAD

7. John states "Is it when we asked it to present.", nAz says "Yes" and over top you hear a male voice clearly state "NO!". DOWNLOAD

8. nAz states "Other times it was just the red and the orange flashes", a male voice can be heard at the end of this sentence, but what is said is undetermined. DOWNLOAD

The Archives: NAGS Drummond Hill Cemetery

The Niagara Amateur Ghost Seekers (NAGS) investigated the Drummond Hill Cemetery in Niagara Falls Ontario. Unfortunetly, notes were lost on this investigation. Below are photos from the event. No EVPs were recorded and no ghosts were captured on film.

Haunted Niagara Photocards

Here is a collection of my historic photocards of Niagara Falls. Some of these are simply historic buildings, while others are haunted. Enjoy!

Mount Carmel College or Loretto Academy
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

The only original structure left of Fort George,
Niagara On the Lake, Ontario, Canada

William Lyon MacKenzie's House & Printer,
Queenston, Ontario, Canada

The Niagara Falls Custom House or The Stone Jug,
Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada