Standing on Stuart Street since the 1860s, Hamilton’s Custom House is one of the city’s most historic landmarks. Originally overlooking a shoreline, it has lived many lives, like tax office, school, the famous Naples Macaroni Factory, and its current role as the amazing Workers Arts and Heritage Centre.
But beyond its ‘blue-collar’ history lies a ghostly reputation. Home to The Dark Lady, a legendary figure considered one of Canada’s oldest known ghosts.
Is she still there? This article attempts to prove that she is!
Want to see The Custom House with ghost stories
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by Ghost Guide Daniel
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History | Dark Lady | GG James | Judging Ghost
Custom House is a Hamilton Landmark
In the 1860s, skilled stonemasons constructed a beautiful structure to Hamilton’s prosperity. At the peak of the city’s port traffic, this grand building looked directly over a shoreline.
Yes, the shoreline originally reached all the way to Stuart Street. Everything beyond that point is the result of natural recession or man-made infill, which eventually formed the modern Hamilton harbourfront.
For a general guide, the historic shoreline followed the path of the current CN Rail line. Running parallel to Strachan Street at the GO Station.
Today, the Custom House stands as a museum on Stuart Street.
But over the years, it’s been a variety of things. Serving as …
- A Custom House for taxing imported goods
- Temporary School
- Hamilton’s first YWCA
- Famous Naples Macaroni Factory
Now the current home of the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre. A great little museum dedicated to the ‘blue-collared’ history of Canada.
From government services to pasta production … and even a Karate Dojo! The building has seen it all.
Maybe why the Custom House’s has chaotic ghostly energy!
Resident Ghost | The Dark Lady
A poem was written by Alexander Wingfield in 1873. Said to be a deep dive into the horrors of alcoholism. Written as if the addiction were a terrifying ghost (aka spirit, get the connection).
But it became legendary! Some saying it’s an account of one of the oldest known ghosts in Canada.
The following was written when Wingfield worked as a Landing-Waiter inside the Custom House.
THE WOMAN IN BLACK
The ghosts – long ago – used to dress in pure white,
Now they’re got on a different track, –
For the Hamilton Ghost seems to take a delight
To stroll ‘round the city in blackPat Duffy, who saw her in Corktown last night,
Has been heard to-day telling his friend
That she stood seven feet and nine inches in height,
And wore a large Grecian Bend.A “Peeler” who met her, turned blue with affright,
And in terror he clung to a post;
His hair (once a carroty red) has turned white,
Since the moment he looked on the ghost.Her appearance was frightful to gaze on, he said, –
It filled him with horror complete;
For she looked unlike anything, living or dead,
That ever he’d seen on his beat.Her breath seemed as hot as a furnace; besides, –
It smelt strongly of sulphur and gin,
Two horns (a yard long) stuck straight out of her head,
And her hoofs made great clatter and din.Her air was majestic, and terribly grand,
As she passed, muffled up in her veil;
A bottle of “ruin” she held in each hand,
And she uttered a low, plaintive wail;There is rest for the weary, but no rest for me;
I cannot find rest if I try,
Three months and three days I have been on the spree;
(Mr. Mueller, ‘How’s that for high?’)“I have mixed in the world, both with ‘spirits’ and men, –
Once more with the spirits I’ll go.”
She stopped, took a sniff of the “ruin”, and then
She popped into the cellar below.He could hear her again, crying out from her den –
Alexander Wingfield, FULL VERSION, Written 1873
“To-night you will see me no more;
But I’ll meet with you Saturday evening at ten,
By the fountain that stands in the Gore.”
While ghost hunters lean into the supernatural, some historians argue the poem is actually a metaphor for the “demons” of alcoholism.
Regardless of the interpretation, the poem has cemented the Dark Lady’s legacy.
Encounters with the Dark Lady
The following are two personal accounts of encounters with a female energy inside the historic Custom House.
These stories were shared during our time leading Ghost Walks through the building. A period we remember fondly and deeply hope to bring back one day.
James and the Shadow
Ghost Guide James Pettitt, a former guide in Hamilton, was preparing for a tour in the back room behind the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre Gift Shop.
Sitting on the floor in the corner, he noticed a shadow moving along the wall.
“Hello”, he whispered. It looked like someone entered the room.
But as he watched, the shape rose up. The distinct shadow of a woman formed within that stream of light. He leaned forward. Getting a better look.
Looking around the middle display to see … the room was empty.
But the woman’s shadow remained. Pushed against the wall. James watched as it grew larger and larger.
It covered the entire wall in darkness before finally fading away
Just as the coordinator walked in to tell him, “It’s time to start the tour”.
Dark Lady Judges Children
In 1997, two separate events occurred providing a ‘historic validation’ for a volunteer named Israel.
It began when a local politician visited the Centre to give a speech. Afterward, he shared a childhood memory about the Custom House with Israel.
“In the ’70s, I was just a kid at the Murray Street School just around the corner. One day, I played hooky. Walking around to Stuart Street and was passing by this building. “This was back when it was the Naples Macaroni Factory.
“I looked up and saw a woman with dark hair on the second floor. Staring out the window. She was looking down at me. Her face was twisted. Very angry.
“I was already nervous about skipping school. Then I felt she was judging me.
“But the strangest part? Didn’t hit be in the moment, but I’m so sure. She was transparent! I saw right through her.
“Then, she vanished.”
Dark Lady Anger Confirmed
Israel never forgot that story.
A few months later, two older women visited the museum. As the conversation turned toward ghosts, one of the women told Israel…
“It’s funny you mention ghosts. We had a strange experience when we were kids in the ’50s. Went to the school around the corner and skipped class one day.
“We walked past the old Custom House, and my friend saw her first. A woman looking down from …”
Israel cut her off!
“The second floor?”
“Yes,” the woman replied, startled.
“And she looked angry?” Israel asked.
“Yes.”
“And you could see right through her just before she disappeared?”
The woman looked shocked, whispering, “Yes”.
Two people separated by decades. The exact same experience. Hard to believe this is a coincidence.
Want to see The Custom House with ghost stories
Join us on a Dundurn Castle & Bus Tour night!