Nicholas Street Gaol
The Ottawa Jail Hostel is a hotel operated by Saintlo Hostels in Ottowa.
History
The hotel was originally the Carleton County Gaol, also known as the Nicholas Street Gaol or Ottawa Jail. The Nicholas Street Gaol was the main jail of Ottawa for over a century. The structure was built in 1862 next door to the courthouse, and connected by a tunnel, all of which were designed by Henry Horsey. When the jail closed in 1972, Hostelling International purchased and converted the building, but left much of the structure in its original condition, allowing guests to experience spending a night in jail. The top floor, which had served as the jail's death row, has been restored to much of its original condition and daily tours were conducted until December 31, 2023. In 2009, the hostel's bar, Mugshots, was opened to the public, but sadly Mugshots then closed to the public in 2015. Luckily, in July 2011, the courtyard space of the former jail was converted into an outdoor bar for the summer months.
Executions and treatment
The jail was the site of the hanging of Patrick J. Whelan on February 11, 1869, for the assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee. Over 5,000 people witnessed Whelan's hanging, which was a large number considering the size of Ottawa at the time, and ever since, staff and guests have reported that Whelan's spirit is one of many that haunts the hostel and will appear at the end of guests' beds or in his death-row cell. The third and final execution at the jail took place on March 27, 1946, when Eugène Larment, who had killed an Ottawa police detective, was hanged. The building remained in use as a jail until 1972 when the outdated facility was closed. The original gallows, however, are intact and, rather grimly, remain fully functional (although it is closed and at a safe distance so people with suicidal thoughts would not act them out). While open, the jail had very bad conditions upon those imprisoned there and modern day discoveries of the property have revealed numerous unmarked graves. Up to 150 prisoners, consisting of men, women, and even innocent children, would be forced to share 60 small cells 3 square meters in area and 30 larger cells 6 square meters in area, as well as six solitary confinement units. Inmates included murderers, the mentally ill, or those incarcerated for minor infractions such as drunk and disorderly conduct. This has created several paranormal activities.
Curse
People report experiencing various phenomena at the Nicholas Street Gaol (now the Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel) that are commonly associated with paranormal activity. These accounts include:
- Disembodied sounds: Hearing footsteps, voices, knocking sounds from inside walls, chopping, scratching, and even screaming when no one visible is present. Whispers traveling between the cells are also reported.
- Physical sensations and interactions: Being grabbed, pushed, or scratched by an unseen force. Some guests report feeling covers being pulled off their beds at night. Others have even heard wheezing and heavy breathing next to their ear.
- Movement of objects: Seeing objects move on their own, or doors opening and closing without explanation. Trays have reportedly been knocked from the hands of staff.
- Apparitions: Witnessing ghostly figures or apparitions. The ghost of Patrick J. Whelan, a prisoner executed at the gallows, is the star figure in these stories. Some claim to hear him reciting the Lord's Prayer as his apparition wanders towards the gallows.
- Unexplained chills: Experiencing sudden and inexplicable chills.
- Electronic malfunctions: Ghost hunting equipment, such as spirit boxes and music boxes, have been reported to function unusually or go off without explanation during investigations. A ghost cam on Death Row reportedly could never function properly.
Nicholas Street Gaol Media
The gallows at the rear of the jail (doors closed), from a public spectator's point of view.
A view of the gallows (doors closed) from within the jail's exercise yard. Note the trap door above the window.
