Ghost Stories on and around the Rideau Canal - Tales of the Rideau

South Eastern Ontario

As the leaves begin to turn and the days grow shorter, South Eastern Ontario transforms into the perfect setting for spine-tingling tales. This Halloween season, travellers seeking more than just a scenic escape will find eerie stories waiting to be uncovered at some of the region’s most haunting locations. From the chilling legend of Davidson’s Ghost at Opinicon Lake to the unsettling mystery of Oliver’s Ferry, these tales of restless spirits and unsolved mysteries are sure to captivate—and perhaps even send a shiver down your spine. Ready to explore the dark side of Ontario’s past? These haunting legends will leave you with memories that linger long after the trip is over.

The Haunting of Davidson’s Ghost: A Chilling Tale from Opinicon Lake

In the peaceful setting of Opinicon Lake, where the serene waters meet the historic charm of Chaffeys Locks, there is a tale that has sent shivers down the spines of locals and visitors alike for generations. This is the story of Davidson’s Ghost—a legend so eerie that it has become deeply woven the area’s folklore.

The Enigmatic Figure of David Davidson

David Davidson, a solitary man, chose the far end of Opinicon Lake as his home shortly after the Rideau Canal was completed. He led a quiet life as a trapper, fisherman, and hunter, residing in a cabin he built himself. Though his lifestyle was modest, whispers began to circulate about a hidden fortune—Davidson’s “nest-egg”—carefully concealed somewhere near his remote dwelling.

By the 1880s, Davidson had become a familiar presence on the lake. During this time, the area was frequented by pack peddlers, who traversed the rugged trails and waterways, selling goods to settlers. It is said that one of these peddlers caught wind of Davidson’s alleged fortune and set out to find it, with malicious intent.

The Macabre Discovery

The last known sighting of Davidson was by his neighbour, Thompson, in late November. As days passed with no sign of Davidson, Thompson grew concerned. The once-active chimney was now cold, and with the lake frozen over, Thompson decided to walk around the lake to check on his reclusive neighbour.

Thompson and another neighbour, Buck, made their way through the snow to Davidson’s cabin. As they approached, an eerie detail struck them—there were no footprints in the snow except their own. Davidson’s loyal dog greeted them at the door, but the man himself was nowhere to be seen.

Upon opening the cabin door, they were met with a horrifying sight. Davidson was dead, tied to a chair, his head savagely beaten and his face slashed. Blood spattered the walls and floor, evidence of the violent struggle that had taken place. The dog, now frantic, refused to let the men near the body, forcing them to retreat and seek help.

Returning later that night with reinforcements, they coaxed the dog outside and re-entered the cabin. The scene inside was even more gruesome—Davidson had been tortured mercilessly. His body showed signs of beatings, burns, and strangulation, and in a final act of cruelty, his feet had been nailed to the floor in an attempt to force him to reveal the location of his hidden fortune.

The cabin itself had been thoroughly ransacked. The attic trapdoor was open, cupboards were emptied, drawers overturned, and the mattress slashed. It was clear that someone had been searching desperately for something—perhaps the fabled fortune, perhaps something else.

The Haunting Begins

Despite a thorough investigation, Davidson’s murder was never solved. With no known relatives and little to go on, the case eventually went cold, leaving behind only unanswered questions and a lingering sense of dread.

Years later, a group of hunters sought refuge in Davidson’s abandoned cabin. They boarded up the broken windows, covered the doorway with canvas, and settled in for the night. But as darkness fell, unsettling occurrences began. The canvas door seemed to open and close by itself, and the stove door, previously shut, was found mysteriously ajar.

Trying to ease the tension, one of the hunters poured an extra cup of tea—seven cups for six men. But when the canvas door flapped again, and one of them glanced at the seventh cup, it was empty. The men, now thoroughly unnerved, considered leaving immediately but ultimately decided to stay the night. Fortunately, the rest of the night passed without further incidents.

The next day, after a successful hunt, they returned to Chaffeys Locks and recounted their experience to an elderly man they met at the landing. The old man listened intently before casually remarking, “Oh sure, that’s Davy, sure enough. Funny you lads didn’t see him—I’ve seen him, plain as print, a number of times. He likes a calm night, with just part of the moon showin’ and a few clouds skitterin’ across. But you don’t have to be afraid of Davy; he won’t hurt you.”

The Legend Lives On

To this day, many believe that on calm nights at Opinicon Lake, a dugout canoe can be seen silently gliding across the water, a solitary figure sitting motionless at the back. Whether Davidson’s hidden treasure was ever found, or if it even existed, remains a mystery. But the legend of Davidson’s Ghost persists, a haunting reminder of the dark secrets that lie beneath the surface of this otherwise serene lake.

So, if you ever find yourself near Opinicon Lake on a still, moonlit night, keep your eyes open. You just might catch a glimpse of Old Davy Davidson, forever searching for something lost to time.

 

Oliver's Ferry at Rideau Ferry

Unraveling the Legend of Oliver’s Ferry: Skeletons Under the Floorboards

Nestled along the serene waters of Rideau Lake, Rideau Ferry is a quaint community rich in history and lore. Among its many tales, one story has stood the test of time, captivating the imagination of locals and visitors alike: the legend of Oliver’s Ferry and the mysterious skeletons allegedly found beneath the floorboards.

The Legend

The story begins in the early 1800s when a man named Mr. Oliver established a ferry service at what is now known as Rideau Ferry. His rough-hewn raft provided a crucial link between the roads leading to Brockville and Perth. However, Mr. Oliver had a peculiar habit—he refused to ferry travellers across the lake after dark. Instead, he insisted they stay the night at his home, promising to ferry them at first light.

But as the story goes, those who stayed at Mr. Oliver's house often vanished without a trace. When neighbors inquired about the missing travellers, Mr. Oliver would calmly assure them that his guests had left at dawn. Despite his reassurances, whispers of foul play began to circulate. Years later, when outbuildings on the Oliver property were dismantled to make way for a bridge, human bones were allegedly discovered hidden under the floors and within the walls—an eerie confirmation of the suspicions that had lingered for years.

The Reality Behind the Legend

While the legend is chilling, the true story of Oliver’s Ferry is perhaps even more intriguing. In 1816, John Oliver, a Scottish immigrant, established the ferry service on the narrowest section of Rideau Lake. The area was a rugged landscape, with trails cutting through dense forests and swamps, making the ferry a vital link for travellers.

Reverend William Bell, a prominent figure in the early Perth community, passed through the area in 1817. He described Mr. and Mrs. Oliver as hospitable, noting that their son, William, escorted him to a neighboring house where he spent the night. However, it was well-known that John Oliver had a troubled personality. His instability eventually led to his tragic death by suicide in 1821.

William Oliver, John’s son, inherited not only the ferry business but also his father's temperament. William was known for his violent nature and conflicts with neighbors. His aggressive behavior culminated in his death on July 19, 1842, when he was shot during a confrontation with the Toomy brothers, neighbors whose cattle had strayed onto his property. William’s death sent shockwaves through the community, and the Toomy brothers were later convicted of manslaughter.

The Evolution of a Legend

Following William’s death, stories began to circulate about the fate of late-night travellers who had stayed at the Oliver house. Over time, these tales evolved into a gruesome legend, suggesting that William had murdered these unfortunate souls, concealed their remains, and stolen their belongings. The legend gained further traction in 1873 when reports surfaced of a human skeleton being discovered beneath the platform of a house near the wharf—just as plans for a new bridge across the narrows were being drawn up.

However, further investigation revealed that the skeleton was not found at Rideau Ferry, but rather in Petawawa, some 300 kilometers away. Dr. Deslonges, a physician from Perth who happened to be visiting the area, was asked to examine the bones, which were believed to be decades old. This discovery, mistakenly attributed to Rideau Ferry, may have fueled the legend, merging fact and fiction in the minds of local residents.

A Story That Endures

The legend of Oliver’s Ferry is a testament to how stories can evolve over time, blending elements of truth with imagination to create a narrative that captures the collective memory of a community. While no human bones have been found at Oliver’s Ferry, the tale remains an enduring part of the area's folklore, adding a touch of mystery to the tranquil waters of Rideau Lake. Whether rooted in fact or fiction, the story of Oliver’s Ferry continues to intrigue those who visit this historic site, reminding us that sometimes the most compelling stories are the ones that blur the line between reality and legend.

The Lady in Blue

The red-haired lady in blue, Kathleen McBride, arrived in Burritts Rapids sometime in the 1860s on an early summer's day, long after the Irish labourers and the British army had finished the Rideau Canal. Kathleen McBride took a room in the hotel beside the canal bridge. She rented one room and the maid reported that she had brought with her only one of everything- one blue dress, one pair of shoes, one brush, one suitcase.

Throughout her stay, Kathleen spoke to no one. All summer and into the fall, her flowing red tresses and long trailing blue gown travelled slowly on the path from tip to tip. Many a long hour she spent, standing on the upriver hill at the end of the island. She would look out over the Rideau River where the water divides, part into the canal and part downriver to the dam. Often, she stood at the dam watching the water roaring down the sluiceway as it released the surplus water. Most other time was spent walking the mile along the bank of the canal and the river, searching the water. What was she searching for, a son, a husband, a lover? Where could he have gone? Was he one of the many killed by accident during the canal construction? Did he die of the dreaded fever? Had he wandered off, work done, to seek a new life somewhere in America?

Kathleen went out for her last search on the moonlit night of October 31st, with frost crisp underfoot and the water bright and cold. She searched and searched, we know not where or why. Two days later a torn piece of blue satin dress was found on the bank, where the new bridge crosses the river in the middle of the village. In those days most of the countryside was forest, and wild animals abounded. Kathleen McBride might have drowned or been eaten by the bears.

As the years went by, whispers spread that on moonlit nights on the tip to tip trail near the dam, and near the little hill at the top end, Kathleen appears. The red-haired lady in blue still searches, walking or floating through the air, with her torn dress clutched to her breast. Some have been close enough to feel the chill in the air as she passes by. Some have been close enough to hear a tiny keening cry as she searches on. As the decades pass, the sightings still continue. So, if by chance you venture out on a summer's eve and she passes you by in the moonlight, please move to the side so you don't hinder her everlasting search.

Witch of Plum Hollow

The "Witch of Plum Hollow" is a famous figure in Canadian folklore, particularly in South Eastern Ontario. Her real name was Elizabeth (Betsy) Amelia Knapp (later, Elizabeth Barnes), and she lived in the 19th century. Betsy Barnes became known as the "Witch of Plum Hollow" due to her reputed abilities as a seer and fortune-teller.

Biography:

The Legend:

The "Witch of Plum Hollow" was known for her accurate predictions, some of which are still recounted in local lore. For example, it is said she helped solve crimes, find lost livestock, and even predicted the outcomes of personal or business ventures. Her reputation was such that even people in positions of power would sometimes seek her advice.

Despite her fame, Betsy Barnes lived a humble life in her cabin. She passed away in 1886, and her grave can be found in the Sheldon Cemetery in Athens, Ontario. Over the years, her story has been embellished, and she has become a larger-than-life figure in Canadian folklore.

Legacy:

Visiting Plum Hollow:

The story of the Witch of Plum Hollow continues to captivate people, blending history, mystery, and folklore into a fascinating narrative that has endured for over a century.

Sources: “Edukit”, Rideau Canal Office, Parks Canada, 2000, Watson, Ken W. (ed), The Sweeney Diary: The 1839 to 1850 Journal of Rideau Lockmaster Perter Sweeney, Friends of the Rideau, Smiths Falls, Ontario, 2008 and website https://www.rideau-info.com/.