610 York Boulevard
Hamilton, Ontario
Constructed between 1832 and 1835

The History
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Dundurn Castle remains as a perfect example of what can be saved from the decay of time when a city puts their best into it. This National monument to the rich history of Canada, the home to one of British Canada's first prime ministers, and an authentic example of how the rich lived over 180 years ago, remains Hamilton's best historical site.

It took three years to construct the buildings we see today. Started for Sir Allan MacNab in 1832, the entire project was completed in 1835. The land was sold to MacNab from a pioneer of the Hamilton area, Richard Beasley. Beasley made a lot of money through mills in Barton Township (today's Hamilton core) and Ancaster (partner to James Wilson). However, towards the end of his life, he fell on hard times and couldn't support his house on Burlington Heights.

Dundurn Castle is currently restored to it's splendor of 1855 - the time when Sir Allan MacNab was at the height of his career as a lawyer, landowner, railway tycoon and the prime minister.

MacNab would be knighted for his role in stopping the Rebellion of 1837. He was one of the leaders in a British militia that marched against William Lyon Mackenzie at Montgomery's Tavern in Toronto.

Not done with that, he then lead another militia on rebels marching from London, Ontario. So strong was MacNab's reputation, the London rebels dispersed immediately after learning MacNab and his men were waiting for them.

At his death, there was confusion about where MacNab's religious beliefs ended. He was a devote Anglican his entire life, but it was rumoured that he converted to Catholicism on his death bed. So began the fight for Sir Allan MacNab's body. He would end up buried at Holy Sepulcre Cemetery in Burlington, Ontario because St. Mary's Cathedral in Hamilton produced a baptism note recorded one day before his death.

To avoid confusion, and possibly vandalism, MacNab was buried in an unmarked grave. A monument was added later, but the true location of his body isn't confirmed.

Today there is a modern gravestone in the historic Hamilton Cemetery even though his body remains at Holy Sepulcre.

On a side note, the Duchess of Cornwall, and wife to Prince Charles, is a direct decendant of Sir Allan MacNab. Officially she's the great-great grand daughter of MacNab's daughter Sophia.

Reasons for ghosts
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There are many ghostly possibilities at Dundurn Castle.

Eleven men hung for treason right across the street in 1813. Cholera victims transported to the plague sheds across the street where they died a lonely death in a new and strange land.

Sir Allen and his family seem to haunt the castle. Outside the room where his second wife Mary wasted away from consumption it is said there is always a cold chill and a mysterious breeze that blows out the candles.

There are mysterious drafts, objects moving around and on some occasions visitors and others have heard mysterious music and singing.

Since this location has been continuously occupied since prehistoric times, there may be spirits of all sorts wandering the halls of Dundurn at night.

Woman's voice
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The stories of Dundurn Castle's haunting abound.

As head historical interpreter at the castle, Katherine Killins heard many of these stories, but one night, near Christmas in 1988, something happened that made the talk of ghosts just a little more vivid in her own mind.

"It was the evening of the Christmas Candlelight Tour and there were about 120 people through the house," Killins recalls.

"After the event was over, it was my responsibility to close the house, to make sure all the candles were out. I was often the last one out of the house, but not at midnight (which was how late it was by the time the tour had let out and Killins was closing up)."

She was on the top floor of the house, doing one last check of the sick room and Lady MacNab's boudoir.

"It's a long hallway, much removed from the rest of the house," says Killins.

"I was putting out a candle when I heard the sound of a sighing voice. At first I thought, "Oh, doesn't that sound nice." But then I thought, "What is that?"

"There was no reason there should be a singing voice there." There was no one else in the building.

"It wasn't a sound I could identify. It definately wasn't coming from outside." And of course, there was no radio in the house.

"It wasn't frightening, but it was not explainable. It was just a couple of phrases of singing and it took me by surprise."

Sir Allan's hobby
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We love personal stories of historical figures here at Haunted Hamilton. One of the best comes from a local Hamilton historian about a hobby of Sir Allan MacNab.

To get the full feel of this hobby you must go see the lands around Dundurn Castle, and then put yourself back to the 1850's. Visualize the quiet and secluded nature, land reaching out like open farms with no houses, the subtle waves of Hamilton Harbour crashing the shore behind you, and dead quiet cemetery to your right. Now put yourself on the roof of the Castle!

Sir Allan MacNab would pass the evening hours at Dundurn with the hobby of playing his bagpipes. Inside the house for his family of course, but also in the dead of night while standing on the roof of his castle.

© Top colour photo taken by Stephanie Cumerlato

Gallery
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Dundurn Castle - Sir Allan MacNab - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Dundurn Castle - Sir Allan MacNab - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Dundurn Castle - Sir Allan MacNab - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Dundurn Castle - Sir Allan MacNab - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Dundurn Castle - Sir Allan MacNab - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Dundurn Castle - Sir Allan MacNab - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Dundurn Castle - Sir Allan MacNab - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada