Ghostly stories promise thrills on walking tours
Pamela McDowell, For Neighbours
Published: Thursday, February 21, 2008
She is a startling vision at twilight: wrapped in a flowing cape and carrying a lighted lantern, Johanna Lane looks like she has stepped directly out of Calgary's past.
"The cape and lantern are an easy way for people to recognize us," says the founder of Calgary Ghost Tours, adding that the simple props are a hint that this is no regular tour of the city. Lane's tours through the downtown core, Inglewood, Kensington and 17th Avenue areas focus on local folklore, including tales of ghostly encounters.
"I like to travel and take tours," says Lane, "and I was surprised to find nothing like this here in Calgary. I've taken wonderful ghost tours in Halifax and Victoria, and even Edmonton, so why not Calgary?"
When she began digging into Calgary's history, Lane found that stories of mystery and mayhem are plentiful.
As a natural storyteller with a flair for the dramatic, Lane focuses on the people of our history -- not just the homes, but the inhabitants -- and the events that were most significant in their lives. The story of the Cross family is one of her favourites.
"It's such a tragic story, really," says Lane, slipping into an enthralling, lyric rhythm. "The two young children of the family were terribly ill, and while Mr. Cross waited at the train station for medicine from Winnipeg, they both died within minutes of one another. Every so often now, one of the children is seen playing in front of the fire of the Cross house, which is La Rouge (restaurant) in Inglewood."
The story of Cappy Smart's monkey, Jocko, is another of Lane's favourites. Jocko's time in Inglewood was tumultuous, but the tale of his demise, full funeral and ultimate burial outside Fire Hall No. 3 is intriguing.
"He's buried under the patio of the Hose and Hound Pub," says Lane with a chuckle. "Every so often the tables will start shaking, and they'll say it's Jocko acting up again. It makes a great story."
Lane spends time researching in the Glenbow's archives and the local history room of the Central Library, but sometimes the most fascinating tidbits come from area residents themselves.
"People love to share their stories," she says. "They'll join us on the street during a tour and tell us about what they've seen or heard." She was particularly impressed when Father Michael invited the entire tour for a look inside St John's Evangelist Church in Inglewood.
A self-described open-minded skeptic, Lane has never experienced a "sighting" herself. She blames this on being too busy talking and walking backwards during a tour to spot anything, though others have. Some have even caught evidence on film.
"Orbs are common, or smoke," says Lane. "One person will have all kinds of things on their photos, while the person beside them won't."
Sightings and ghostly encounters are not guaranteed. "We show people where all the good stuff is," says Lane. "Then they can go back on their own."
Calgary Ghost Tours has been in business for less than a year, but is rapidly expanding with new tours in Calgary and Banff. While the regular tour schedule will resume in spring, specialty tours or group tours can be booked any time.
"We have a lot of fun with birthday parties, Red Hatters, scouts, pathfinders, school groups and seniors," says Lane.
Kids are welcome on the tour, providing they are not prone to nightmares and can walk for the full hour and a half tour.
"I edit carefully," says Lane, "and might omit the brothel story, but kids enjoy the tours and ask the most intelligent questions."
In fact, the ghostly characters of Lane's stories are more interesting than scary.
"It's a great way to bring people's awareness to the history of Calgary," says Lane. For more information visit www.calgaryghosttours.com or call 472-1989.
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