Ruthven Mansion in Cayuga, Ontario, Canada. A beautiful historic house, seemingly built in the ‘middle-of-nowhere’. This was once the Town of Indiana, a place destroyed by the railway.
But how did this happen. And did the ghost of the founder, David Thompson, take his revenge.
This is the story of “The Ould Squire’s Ghost”.
by Ghost Guide Daniel
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THOMPSON | RUTHVEN | OLD SQUIRE’S GHOST
Ruthven Mansion of Indiana
In rural Ontario, an area south of the City of Hamilton. There lies a quaint town called Cauyga. Neighbouring a beautiful area … home to a historic house called Ruthven.
David Thompson, at only 21-year-old, was a messenger in the War of 1812. Serving directly under great General, Isaac Brock.
Thompson was there at Queenston Heights. When the Americans attempted to take Niagara. And in this battle, General Brock was shot through the chest.
The British won the battle but lost so much. And even though it’s Brock’s strategies that are credited with pushing the Americans off Canadian soil. This is still considered a massive turning point of the early War of 1812.
Thompson Known for Greatness
Unlike Brock, Thompson survived the war. Eventually establishing his first major business at about 40-years-old. Called the Grand River Navigation Company. Which recognized the potential of the Grand River as a waterway for commerce.
Picking a land just beside current day Cayuga. Where Ruthven stands today. This became the Town of Indiana, the heart of the company.
Thompson involved with others to build dams, locks and canals along Canada’s version of the Mississippi.
Establishing Indiana with small shanty houses for workers. Many Irish immigrants set to work the land in the grist mills and sawmills built nearby.
And it’s here, in 1845, he had Ruthven house built.
Ruthven Mansion Historic Secret
Thompson’s lived inside Ruthven Mansion for over 150 years. This is so high for any one family to be associated with a structure. Only, maybe, the Castle’s of Medieval England has such claims.
It was here, with one of the best commutes, that David Thompson ran his business. While raising a family alongside his wife Sally Ann.
Visitors of Ruthven Park may recognize that name from the iconic ‘table gravestone’ in the Thompson Family Cemetery on the grounds.
The Grand River Navigation Company was running great. So much, David Thompson put his focus on politics. Eventually being made Representative in the “Province of Canada” for the Haldimand region. Current location of such towns as…
- Cayuga
- Caledonia
- Dunnville
- Hagersville
- Selkirk
Fact … The Province of Canada was a term before Canada was more united in 1867. Made up of Upper & Lower Canada (aka, today’s Ontario & Quebec).
Death Comes for Thompson
David Thompson died inside Ruthven House. In his bedroom at only 58-years-old.
The year … 1851.
Legend has it, he was sitting his favourite rocking chair. Looking out a darkened window to his favourite view.
Of course, that was towards the Grand River directly in front of the house. I say ‘towards’ because it was dark outside. Meaning, it was most likely just darkness.
The Old Squire’s Ghost
The town of Cayuga is right beside the old Town of Indiana. Some call it a sister town, but Thompson saw it more of a competition.
Not in a bad way. Many business owners needed that motivation to push ahead and make great things.
Although long after his death, David would be disappointed. Knowing this rivalry eventually led to a decision spelling the end of Indiana.
A ‘new’ technology called … the railway! No need for the Grand River any longer.
Indiana was passed over and the main stop for the “Canada Air Line”. One of the oldest lines in all of Southern Ontario. Happened about 20 years after Thompson’s death.
Foreshadowing maybe! Because on a random night in 1851, a massive crash was heard in the Town of Cayuga.
Was the middle of the night. Nobody dared investigate until morning. Then coming out to find … the front façade of the newly built Cayuga Courthouse had collapse to the ground!
The builder was a trusted local Stonemason. A man everyone believed when he said, “… only a bomb blast could have caused such destruction!” The façade was strong.
The Old Squire’s Ghost
Everyone was perplexed. Until a local reporter connected solved the mystery.
He figured out … the great David Thompson of Ruthven died on the same night as the Cayuga Courthouse collapse.
A local article was written claiming it was Thompson’s ghost!
As if he floated out of his mortal body. Leaving the earth via Cayuga, and knocking over the front façade as a final act in this reality.
Why Not?
The fun part … nobody questioned it!
Of course, David Thompson’s ghost was capable of knocking over a solid stone building façade. The main question was, “… would he do it?”
This was a source of much debate. Some believed Thompson’s spirit did it.
But those who knew him in life disagreed. Because, “… Mr. Thompson never would have ruined a project done for the prosperity of a town”.
The legend of the “Ould Squire’s Ghost” remains to this day. Reminding all of us of the once Town of Indiana, now completely removed from modern day Haldimand.