First things first: we have to admit that the former Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila church, where OMG Resto is located, is not haunted. Or at least, no paranormal events have ever been observed or reported there. The scariest thing about us is how excellent the menu is. Ah!
However, Sherbrooke is a city full of spine-tingling stories for horror lovers. Discover some scary places to visit this fall... if you dare!
You've probably heard of George, the ghost who has been haunting the famous theatre on Wellington Street since his death in the 1940s. Was he a spectator or the concierge at the time? No one knows. His body was reportedly found in seat P13 on the balcony after a performance.
In fact, when the theatre was renovated in 2019 and all the seats were replaced, only P13, Georges' seat, remained untouched. This ghost is said to be quite harmless! He is only credited with a few mundane paranormal interactions: a shadow sneaking through the corridors, doors closing on their own, unexplained noises...
The former residence of Senator Charles Benjamin Howard, located on Portland Boulevard, is famous for the paranormal activity reported over the years. Destination Sherbrooke organization (now known as the “Corporation du Centre de Foires”) used to have its administrative offices in this old building, and its employees reported often witnessing strange and unexplained occurrences : footsteps when no one was in the office, flower pots falling, doors slamming...
Some also claimed to have seen the ghost of the lady of the house, Mrs. Howardwandering quietly through the estate's gardens. In fact, a spirit hunting team from Quebec, Ghosts in Time, has already attempted to comb through the house in hopes of discovering its ghosts. Curious to see what they found? The episode can be found here..
This former prison, which welcomed its first prisoner in 1869, has intrigued many Sherbrooke residents since its closure in 1990. It is said that former inmates haunt the premises... or are these just urban legends designed to give the creeps to those who dare to get too close to the building?
This prison, now protected as a heritage site, was not a place where anyone wanted to end up. Water supply was difficult and there were numerous humidity problems. In addition, the ‘punishment’ rooms in the basement were considered dangerous... even by inspectors.
Many notorious criminals ended their days there, including Harry K. Thaw, the famous ‘millionaire murderer’ who made headlines at the time. “As a result, Winter Prison witnessed six hangings, all of criminals convicted of murder, who were hanged in the prison courtyard between 1880 and 1932,” reads a document recounting the history of this fascinating and frightening place.
This scary story does not take place in Sherbrooke, but not far from there, in the village of Fitch Bay. In the 18thnd century, a certain Amanda, an herbalist with strange behaviour, had all the characteristics of a witch (witch, fitch... get it?) At least, that's what the villagers called her.
As this was after the Salem witch trials, Amanda was hanged on November 1st,er 1800, a punishment reserved for women suspected of witchcraft. However, about 100 years later, a woman was inexplicably drawn to Fitch Bay, where she moved into Amanda's house. It is said that she was greeted by the ghost of her former tenant and that she, too, practiced magic. Psst… you can sleep in Amanda's house, which is now available for rent!
So, would you like to discover or rediscover the beautiful city of Sherbrooke? If all these scary stories have whetted your appetite, we'll be waiting for you in our holy dining room for a meal fit for the afterlife. Holy water shot is not included! Reserve your table here.
