Post by merangel on Apr 14, 2016 1:22:59 GMT -5
Across the street from The Fort Garry Hotel, is another famous haunted location. Still in operation and accessible to the public, you just need to step into the rotunda and you may catch a glimpse of some activity. This is also the meeting place for the Muddy Waters Haunted Tour. I took me and my daughter on this tour and came to the Union Station about 20 minutes early. We sat at a table by the shop inside in the rotunda and I was looking at the 2nd floor balcony walkway on the other side from me. I was just looking around. Now, I knew this train station has a reputation to being haunted but I wasn't aware of the claims or where the sightings were until the tour started. But as I was sitting in the rotunda my eyes were drawn in the direction of the door leading to the stairwells. There are windows in the doors and in the panel beside the door so I can see into the stairwell. I have pictures of that exact area. Anyways, the door opened and closed. I didn't see anyone coming out from the door nor leaving the balcony to go into the stairwell. Not until 30 seconds to a minute later did I see someone in the stairwell and come through the door. It was a cool to have experienced something odd while waiting to go on a ghost tour. I didn't mention it to the group later on because the person hosting was talking A LOT and very loudly and I didn't feel comfortable interrupting and I wasn't sure how serious the rest of the group was about this stuff so I didn't want to embarrass myself.
The host, right away, went through some of the relevant history and haunted claims of the station.
The Union Station was an important part of bringing in immigrant workers into Winnipeg in the early 1900's. It was only built in 1908-09 for the Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian Northern Railways, built by the same person who built the Fort Garry Hotels in Canada. There are 2 other areas just off of the rotunda that are closed off to the public and likely the staff. You can still look into those areas through the windows in the doors. I highly doubt anyone goes into those areas as you can see things left in dust and an old, dead plant. These areas would have been waiting rooms and you can still see some pews.
The story behind the incident that I saw on the 2nd floor balcony is that a staffer had died and has since been seen on the balcony. This was a relatively recent death and the claims are few. I sort of wish I mentioned something at the time to the group. Oh, well.
Another claim in the rotunda is when a security guard saw a group of soldiers marching into the rotunda and do a drill of some sorts in the middle of the night. Keep in mind the security desk is right there, to the southeast looking onto the rotunda and this is a 24/7 used station. We also have a military base in Winnipeg. The guards say the soldiers are dressed in old-fashioned uniforms. I wasn't there to see it, but there are some alternative explanations that are possible.
The basement is the most discerning and creepiest part. Union Station did get migrant workers and some first classers. The first class and upper middle class got to use the first floor. The lower class had to go to the basement and wait for paperwork. The first class got clearance pretty quickly, while the lower class had to wait days, weeks sometimes, to gain citizenship to be allowed to leave the station and they had to stay in the basement waiting area during that time. People who came sick were quarantined. Most of those who were sick were children and some succumbed to their illness before they made it out. They were separated from their parents and those who have to go to the basement hear those children crying. Some hear laughter, too.
There is, also, a conductor in dressed in an older time seen walking around in the basement. The basement is restricted to the public. Only certain, unfortunate staff are allowed down there. But you can see the layout on a map location on the doors to the stairwells to the administration offices and the stairs leading to the basement. That is as close the basement I'm willing to go, anyways.
That is not all. There is claims that a hobo is seen at night, carrying a lantern, walking along the tracks. Please keep in mind that tracks are on elevated and restricted access grounds. The tracks behind the station are covered and the area of the tracks that are not covered, are in view at a distance. So there is no need to trespass to try and see this specter.
Another area, for girls only, is the women's washroom off of the rotunda has reports of an apparition appearing the mirror. I have used that washroom and have not had any experiences. But nonetheless, I get a bit apprehensive being in there. Spirits haunting washrooms sort of cracks me up. Like, why haunt a washroom? Why spend your afterlife invading people's private matters?
Union Station also has a Train Museum. It's okay if you're a train enthusiast. Admission is very cheap and is all in one, open room. One part of the museum has this turpentine smell that burns your airways, so be very careful of fumes. There is also a wooden step to get down into the tracks to get an upclose view of the engines and cars. This wooden step was very wobbly and there is no rail to hold onto. I put one foot on it and nearly fell. So, be careful. I guess you get what you pay for.
Also keep in mind that although this is a full, functioning train station, it is a place of business and travel. Be respectful and don't trespass or venture into areas you have no authorization in being at.
It was the balcony doors on the leftside in the picture that I saw open on their own accord and where the fallen staff member has been spotted. This is the rotunda.