Hamilton’s Dark History

A focus on masterful storytelling at a reasonable price (with no hidden fees!).  First, we’ve put special attention into respecting the ghost story.  Also, with a dedication to traditional styles mixed with natural (and interesting) odd history.  This is our specialty since 2003.

This is an outdoor tour in Hamilton’s core. Most locations are abandoned, closed at night, unable accommodate our group… or is an alleyway! Book for our indoor tours at Ruthven and Castle Kilbride

When a date or time slot is missing in the Booking… If a missing time, that tour time is sold out.  A missing date, means the entire night is sold out.

Our archive consists of information showing off ghost stories in this very haunted city of Hamilton. 

But we’re obsessed.  Strange and dark history must be mix into these ghostly tales.

Opened up an interesting history, odd for any Canadian city. 

A New Tour Born

The Hamilton’s Dark History was born from these stories.  Vagabonds, outside the squeaky clean image of this young country, but oh so interesting.

Great example is outside the region of this tour.  A town once known as Mount Albion.  Has since been wiped off the map.  Why is it the darkest history in Canada?  Because…

Home to the Ghost of a Tragic Legend

“Alas, poor Jane Riley,

for Joseph she did die

By jumping off that dizzy brink,

full sixty cubits high” ~ Slater

Jilted by her lover.  The boy from a rich family caught with a prostitute in a near-by church.  Poor Jane Riley rushed to the precipice of Albion Falls.  

Town’s folk saw her wandering alone in the woods.  Hair disheveled, dirt smeared across her face, screaming at the sky and whispering to herself.

Downfall

It disturbed them, but nobody helped poor Jane Riley.

Days later, men working beneath the Albion Falls saw at the top two shadows appear over the sun’s glare.  Shielding their eyes and looking up, two girls balanced at the edge.

One reached out, missing, as the other leaned forward.

The men ran, splashing through the water, trying to see where she would land.

Strange Note

They watched her fall feet first, leading to an action removing all doubt this was an accident. Her dress billowed out like a parachute which slowed her descent.  Her desire to die was evident as she brushed it down and sped to the rocks below.

They stayed with her. Jane Riley barely alive, as the men reassured she would be okay.  She silently died after one hour.

Was Hamilton’s Mob Graveyard (in a true Mob town, proven on the tour)

Organized crime needs a body dumping ground. Such as a remote location far from the central city. Forests, quiet, and pitch black at night.

Like the movie scenes. The old 1920’s Ford parked just off a wooded path shining headlights into the woods. As two men in suits dig a hole. That happened in Hamilton!

Body Dumping Ground

Al Capone had one. Was a burial ground outside of Chicago (Bremen Township) known as Bachelor’s Grove.  Because it was remote, secret, and best of all, bodies already in the ground.

For Rocco Perri, it was Albion Falls (Mills).  As shown by the story of Fred and Joseph on the tour.  He was Ontario’s King of the Bootleggers. 

Most likely for other families followed.  

Where a Murderess got Infamous

In the 1940’s, some kids are playing in the Albion woods less than a mile from the Falls.   A boy noticed it.

Looked like a dead animal on the fallen leaves, but something wasn’t right.  The kids got their parents, and they knew.  This wasn’t an animal… it was wearing a shirt.

Not an Animal

It was the human torso of John Dick.  Kicking off the legend of Evelyn Dick.  These stories now famous throughout Canada and even the United States.   Her story on the tour outside of the once courthouse where she was tried, found not guilty, then found guilty again.

Want more darkness?  Join the Facebook group called Hamilton’s Darker History

Yes.  We are very limited on space for tours (2020/21).  Advance bookings allows us to guarantee spots for you, and book in additional guides if needed.

Limitations to visitors inside the gift shop at one time, mix with strict cleaning policies. Groups capped at 14-16 people with social distancing and masks are recommended during the tour.