Volume 117, Number 1, Spring 2025 High Strangeness in Ontario’s History Guest-edited by R. Murray Fehr

EN:

Stories of wiindigoo have been passed down for generations by the Anishinaabeg. This article reflects on an account of the “man eater” on the French River in the 1830s, and the extraordinary steps taken by community leaders to ensure the safety of its citizens. The article works to understand these horrific accounts and toward what Anishinaabeg legal scholar Kegedonce, or John Borrows, calls Bimeekamaugaewin, a binding set of principles to maintain harmony in both human and more-than-human communities.

EN:

The inception and growth of Ontario’s ghost tours are showcased, highlighting their blend of history, culture, and the supernatural. Through the pioneering efforts of Glen Shackleton, Danielle Urquhart, and Kyle Upton, who each brought unique innovations to the field, these tours have evolved from niche activities to popular cultural experiences. The influence of technology and media, particularly reality television, on public interest is analyzed, along with the operational challenges in maintaining these immersive experiences. The tours play a crucial role in preserving and promoting local history, making historical education accessible and engaging, while also contributing significantly to the local economy. Integrating advanced technology and compelling storytelling is suggested to further enhance the appeal of ghost tours. The enduring interest in the paranormal and historical narratives ensures the continued relevance and popularity of Ontario’s ghost tours, solidifying their place as a vital part of the region’s cultural heritage.

EN:

Ghost roads have a special place in our cultural imagination. They are often lonely stretches of county highways or backroad locales with haunted histories that speak of tragic death, mysterious lights, and ghostly visitations. These roads are often sites of pilgrimage for thrill seekers and paranormal enthusiasts, who in turn add to the lore of these roads. This article explores the paranormal history of three Ontario Ghost Roads—Mississauga’s Trail, Texas Road, and Buck Hill Road—through the author’s firsthand observations and research of primary and secondary sources. What draws us to our haunted roads and what may this reveal about us and our relationship to each other and the natural and unseen world?

EN:

Fact or fiction, the Baldoon Mystery is the folkloric foundation of Wallaceburg, a small town in Southwestern Ontario. Stories of a witch’s curse and a witch doctor’s prescription during the mysterious events of 1829 and 1830 underpin the supernatural tale. There is a space between material veracity and folklore; somewhere in between stands the little-known headmaster of the local schoolhouse. Spectacular attempts to summon God and the use of magic on behalf of the community came at a cost, however, as accusations of blasphemy and fraud collided with accusations of witchcraft. The story of Robert Barker has long been obscured in the shadow of the extraordinary accounts told of Baldoon’s early days. Yet, Barker’s ordeal opens further exploration into the role of gossip and accusations during times of social tension.

EN:

The Marysburgh Vortex comprises an area in eastern Lake Ontario said to be home to a malevolent force that has caused many shipwrecks, disappearances, and odd sightings. Drawing on the author’s ethnographic fieldwork and a literary-biographical approach, this article explores the local folklore and published sources for the story, placing it within a longer history of “vortex lore,” which is found primarily in pulp and men’s adventure magazines from the 1960s-1980s. The article argues that descriptions of the Marysburgh Vortex and similar phenomena, such as the Bermuda Triangle, are best read as ecogothic fiction, a genre concerned with repressed guilt and a fear of the natural world. The story of the vortex reveals frustration at the unfulfilled promise of control and domination over nature; a profound alienation that erupts into characterizations of the natural world as evil, grotesque, and unknowable.