Surveys of Fort George, the Screaming Tunnel and Fort Mississauga

Location: Niagara region, ON
Date: April 24 - 25, 2008

This report briefly summarizes the Paranormal Research Initiative (PRI) surveys of three allegedly "haunted" locations in the Niagara region of southern Ontario: Fort George (Niagara-on-the-Lake), the Screaming Tunnel (Niagara Falls), and Fort Mississauga (Niagara-on-the-Lake). Due to a number of factors including accessibility, logistics, and time constraints, each of these investigations was conducted during daylight hours for relatively brief periods of time. Consequently the PRI visits to these locations were regarded surveys for the purpose of assessing each location for the possibility of future investigation.

 

Fort George

Located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Fort George served as headquarters for the Centre Division of the British Army during the War of 1812. Today, the fort has adopted the reputation of being one of the most haunted locations in Ontario. A brief search on the Internet will yield numerous accounts, photographs, and audio and video recordings of "paranormal" activity at the fort. For the sake of brevity, it will simply be noted here that virtually all types of phenomena typically associated with apparent hauntings have been reported on from Fort George.

The PRI investigation of Fort George took place in the late afternoon of April 24, 2008. Numerous photographs and digital audio recordings were taken throughout the grounds of the fort. Each audio recording was conducted in solitude, and all motions were kept to a minimum while recording to ensure minimal sound contamination.

One of the audio recordings taken near Blockhouse 1 captured a series of interesting noises. At the start of the recording, the investigator requested for any entities present to make their presence known through noise. Seconds later, a high-pitched whistle can be heard. Following this high-pitched noise, a series of "thuds" occur, comparable to the sound of heavy footsteps on gravel. Interestingly, these "footsteps" grow louder as the recording progresses, almost as if they originated in the distance and moved towards the audio recorder. As noted above, no other visitors to the fort were within earshot at the time of this recording. Had the investigator idly taken several steps during the audio recording, this still would not account for the apparent movement of the source of the sound. Furthermore, it can be said with a high degree of certainty that the investigator did not take any steps at the speed or heaviness that would have been required to produce the sounds captured in this audio recording .

These sounds may be candidates for paranormal phenomena. However, PRI recognizes that this evidence must still be treated with a significant amount of scepticism, as unfortunately no other investigators were present to witness and verify the integrity of the recording.

Until we have collected additional lines of evidence of paranormal activity, it would be inappropriate for PRI to conclude that Fort George is haunted with any degree of certainty. However, the audio recording taken adjacent to a blockhouse is compelling evidence for the possibility of paranormal activity taking place at Fort George.

Photograph of the entrance to Fort George.

Evidence

Audio Clip:

Anomalous sound resembling approaching "footsteps" captured at Fort George.

 

The Screaming Tunnel

There have been many accounts of paranormal activity taking place at the Screaming Tunnel (located near Niagara Falls, ON). Numerous "mists" and light anomalies have been captured in photographs taken during investigations of the tunnel. Cold spots and feelings uneasiness have also been reported in the tunnel.

The PRI survey of the tunnel took place during the evening of April 24, 2008, during which time numerous photographs and audio recordings were taken. None of the EVP experiments yielded anomalous sounds. One of the photographs produced a large light anomaly inside the tunnel. The anomaly itself appears to have been caught in motion, moving from the left to right. However, PRI maintains a highly sceptical opinion of all "orbs", as they are typically produced by natural airborne particles such as dust, pollen or moisture.

Based on this preliminary PRI survey, we cannot conclude that the Screaming Tunnel is haunted at this time.

Photograph of the Screaming Tunnel. The "orb" (centre) is likely dust or moisture.

 

Fort Mississauga

Fort Missisauga (located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON) was completed in 1814, and served as an emergency fortification during the War of 1812. The Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society (GHRS) reports two stories of paranormal activity taking place at the fort, including the apparition of a headless First Nations warrior and the ghost of a British solider.

The PRI survey of Fort Mississauga took place on the afternoon of April 25, 2008. Unfortunately, no anomalies were captured in any of the photographs, audio recordings or videos taken during the survey. Consequently, PRI cannot conclude that this location is haunted.

Photograph of the central blockhouse at Fort Mississauga.

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