Thankfully, it's been a long time since we have been asked the question above by fellow ghost enthusiasts. It's sad, really, in my eyes that they fixate on Gettysburg and U.S. Civil War battlefields... I guess it's a combination of U.S. media pushing and other 'ghost sites' saying that indeed, if you want battlefield ghosts than it's the USA All The Way!

Now, in all honesty, I myself would LOVE to tour some of the (American) Civil War battlefields... then again, I'd prefer to look about the WWI battlefields in France or the English/Scots battlefields in the UK. They're all interesting spaces.

In all honesty, as for the USA battlefield being your ONLY stop for ghostly doin's in North American, this is uncatergorically not true and for those of us in Ontario, there are many spots where men fought and died and perhaps, still linger.

To sate the appetite of those wishing not only the battlefield but the cemetery urge, may I recommend a trip to Niagara Falls, Ontario to Lundy's Lane battlefield.

Just like "Cemetery Ridge" in Gettysburg, some of the fiercest fighting took place on this hill where a burial ground was located. The hill is now known as Drummond Hill for Sir Gordon Drummond who was the commander and chief administrator in Upper Canada at the conclusion of the War of 1812 and the ranking British officer at the battle. His artillery was positioned here and it was the main thrust of the American's to capture it. A see-saw battle ensued littering the hill with dead of both sides.

This hill, which is still a cemetery near Drummond Memorial Church, was one of the bloodiest spots in Canada during the conflict. There is also (as an added "bonus",) a ghost story involving three ghostly red coated soldiers seen marching past the homes near the church.

Queenston Heights and it's huge monument to Sir Isaac Brock is another battle ground/burial ground in Niagara. Buried at the monument is Brock and his aide de camp, John MacDonnell who were both killed in the battle. Not as big a cemetery but an impressive view and an impressive monument. What's interesting is the sheer number of units of all types that fought and died on this cliff. Well worth the photo trip.

The bloodiest (and haunted to boot,) battlefield in Upper Canada is Fort Erie in Niagara. An interesting spot with a varied and interesting history but the English attempt to siege the fort and force the occupying American's out caused much bloodshed and was (by all accounts,) a gruesome and horrible affair.

Recently being deemed a historic site and another bloody field filled with the dead of both sides of the War of 1812 is Chippawa between the falls and Fort Erie. This new park is a grand spot for battlefield ghost photography in Canada.

What makes Chippawa so interesting is it is a GREAT and UNTAPPED location as, since the battle was an American victory, there have been precious few investigations of the site BUT we have, indeed, received TWO reports from people who had been at the place three years ago that were unaware of it's status as a battlefield.

The site, as it is now with it's monument and small, landscaped park was relatively ignored and marked only with a small stone and plaque on the Niagara Parkway between present-day Chippawa and Black Creek (just outside of Niagara Falls). The site was still a farmers field (which it had been previously and after the battle) and was only recently made into a memorial. Men on both sides fought, died and were indeed buried in this field which only recently, has gotten the attention it deserves.

The two reports consist of "strange sounds" and even of "voices" which, by account, sound like they could indeed be of the battle itself. Also, "spook lights" have been spotted in and around the field.

Of interest to visitors of Chippawa: the two times we visited, pretty much everyone said there was a "sad but charged" energy or feeling to the place. Personally, I felt the "charged energy" but then again, I can write that off as being a history buff of the first order... I always feel that way BUT many other's who DON'T normally state stuff like this to us, have. Take this for what you will!

Of course, there's Fort George in Niagara on the Lake which saw it's fair share of death and destruction (also see our soon-to-come story about the Angel Inn,) and is a well known "haunt" and Fort York in Toronto which is also haunted. Fort Wellington in Prescott and The Battlefield House and Museum in Stoney Creek also share in some ghostly soldiering.

Then there's the battlefields of The Fenian Raids, Aboriginal Wars and The Rebellions of 1837... this list COULD go on and on...

In essence, why go to the U.S. to get your chance to take pictures of possible ghosts on a battlefield when Upper Canada offers so many close to home that have as deep and sad a place in history as any.

For the REAL history buffs, re-enactments at these sites OFTEN happen! Check out either this site - The Glengarry's or this site - IMUC for more information. Re-enactments are a GREAT way to WITNESS living history and to also scout out some 'haunted' locales! (Remember, although our experience has shown us that if approached nicely, SOME re-enactors and interpreters WILL share ghost stories and reports, not all will so be gentle if this is your main reason for going!)

If you do go and your film has an anomaly on development, please contact us (photography@psican.org) and we will be happy to have a look at the images and maybe display it on our site (with your permission and, of course, with our photography folks approval!) Why not take a tape recorder to see what comes out on these fields and forts? Maybe you'll get a possible EVP of someone more directly involved in Canada.

If you do go to these sites, please ensure that you are LEGALLY allowed to be there and ONLY go armed with your camera, tape recorder, eyes and ears and other NON-OBTRUSIVE equipment and RESPECT THE SITES as you would respect those that may still yet linger near them. Also, look for tours and trips that are offered for people to explore and investigate the history of these battlefields and also, watch their respective websites (and our own) for possible "ghost tours" or "spirit tours" of them. SUPPORT CANADIAN SITES AND HISTORY! Check out one of your own historic sites and DON'T FORGET, these folks need your donations and money to help keep them going! Donations can be made at MOST of the historic sites listed.