THE STORY
Reported Haunting
The Columbian House Hotel is said to be haunted by former guests who never truly checked out. Visitors have reported apparitions, unexplained footsteps, and mysterious voices echoing through the historic hotel. Employees have also described objects moving without explanation and an unseen presence after dark.
Back in 1828, when this historic hotel was constructed, it was merely a trading post and tavern with limited overnight accommodation. At various times throughout the century, the building also served as a prison and a town ballroom. The strange history of the building began back in the 1840’s, after a farmer staying at the hotel vanished from his room during the night without a trace. Years later, a local man confessed to the murder, but never gave any reason for why it had occurred. The farm worker was never able to move on apparently, as staff and guests claim to have seen him wandering the halls after hours, and have heard moans and screams from the room he stayed in. In the 1880’s, a young lady was locked in a room at the inn for many years after she accidentally murdered her stepbrother, and was allegedly driven mad. Strange noises have been heard coming from the room in which she perished, and the furniture often rearranges of its own accord. Somewhere in the inn, there is a prison cell which was used by authorities when the hotel was a stopover point for travellers, and it became common practice to lock drunk and disorderly patrons in this room overnight. However, one morning, a member of staff found a patron dead in the prison cell, and only days later, began to hear strange noises. Nowadays, the door to the cell will not shut, and if it is, pounding fists and yells for help can be heard. Recently, guests and staff reported a ghostly floating head in the ballroom fireplace, which is believed to stem from a murdered townsperson who was stabbed then locked in a closet in that particular room. Staff and visitors claim to hear ballroom music, ghostly voices and cutlery moving, but upon investigation find nothing. The apparition of a young girl has also been seen in the bar area, and is known as a mischievous spirit, who moves around objects and is responsible for the ghostly laughter heard by many.