Haunted Places In Muskoka - Inn at the Falls in Bracebridge

submitted by: the Overlord

What do the the following places have in common?

• Inn at the Falls in Bracebridge, 
• the Bala Bay Inn in Muskoka Lakes, 
• the North Portage Inn and the Bigwin Inn in Lake of Bays, and
• the Spence Inn located at Heritage Place in Huntsville. 

First, they are all historic inns found throughout Bracebridge Ontario area. 

Secondly, they are all reported to be haunted.

According to the article “Freaky phenomena” published online on Halloween of 2012 in WhatsUpMuskoka.com (no longer in publication) many haunted rooms have become tourist attractions

Room 105 at the  Inn at the Falls in Bracebridge, Ontario, is often specifically requested by some guests who visit the dwelling.

The room is alleged to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who can be seen looking out the window on certain nights of the year.

Room 105 is apparently the inspiration of the team name of the Bracebridge Phantoms, part of the Greater Metro Hockey League.

In the article, Kristopher Sturgeon, food and beverage manager for the Inn at the Falls in Bracebridge is quoted as saying that “Some guests have packed up and left in the middle of the night. Some staff refuse to close at night by themselves because of the ghosts.”

Reported paranormal events that occur at the Inn at the Falls include: 

• missing items mysteriously appearing in room 105, even when its been locked,
• ashtrays, pots and pans being thrown about,
• electronics turning on and off by themselves,
• sudden temperature drops,
• footsteps and disembodied voices and laughs of children.

Some people even claim to have seen full bodied apparitions of one time owner Jackie Niven who had died there after battling cancer. Other spirits whom have appeared or otherwise made their presence known include Charlie, Bob and Sarah.

The Inn at the Falls has been studied by paranormal investigators who are seeking definitive proof that the place is haunted. Many people consider it to be the most haunted place in the Muskoka area.

Status:

Interesting, but inconclusive

Historic buildings generally tend to have stories of unexplained occurrences. Some are more factually based then others. Jackie Niven who died at the Inn at the Falls is an example of that.

We’re not saying that the events reported have not taken place. Without bearing witness ourselves, it’s impossible, even foolhardy, to pass judgement and declare otherwise.

However, places like the Inn at the Falls have such a well known history that it is likely people expect, and even want to experience something unexplained. 

Add to that the power of suggestion and a strong imagination, and you have a situation that makes it difficult to understand what is taking place. 

Paranormal researchers working to make sense of the happenings are right to be working to establish definitive proof of what’s taking place.

Wilkinson, Corey (2012, October 31). Freaky phenomena. What’s Up Muskoka. Retrieved from www.whatsupmuskoka.com. (As of January, 2016 What's Up Muskoka is no longer in publication. The link now to the Barrie Examiner.)