History of the Banff Springs Hotel
The original wooden structure of the Banff Springs Hotel was built in 1888 as a result of the westward movement of the Canadian Pacific Railway. William Van Horne, the Vice President of the CPR, ordered the construction of the Banff Springs Hotel because of the breathtaking mountain scenery and the natural hot springs. He saw the potential of this site as a world-class tourist resort.
In 1926, the original wooden hotel burned down and massive reconstruction began. The new hotel was fashioned after a Scottish castle with towers and stone walls. In the 1930s, the Banff Springs Hotel became a popular destination for celebrities and royalty. The hotel became known as the Castle of the Rockies.
Other well-known hotels in the Canadian Pacific chain are the Royal York Hotel, Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta, the Empress Hotel in Victoria, the Hotel Vancouver, the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, and the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City.
The Secret Room at the Banff Springs Hotel
When building the original wooden hotel, there was an error made by the contractor. They ended up with a room that had no windows or doors but it was kept secret by the builders. The room was not discovered until the fire occurred in 1926. There had been reports of apparitions roaming the hall in the vicinity of this room.
Room 873 at the Banff Springs Hotel
This room is no longer in service and the door has been covered with brick and board to match the rest of the hallway. It is rumoured that a family was killed in this room. Because a little girl’s fingerprints on the mirrors inside the room could not be wiped off, it was decided to seal off the room. Guests can see ghosts of family members in the hallway.
The Doomed Bride at the Banff Springs Hotel
There are two stories regarding the ghost of a bride at the hotel. Dressed in her wedding gown, she was descending a staircase. She tripped on her gown and fell down the stairs and died of a broken neck. The other story reveals that there were candles on the staircase and her gown caught fire and in a panic she fell down the staircase and died. There have been reports of the apparition of a young woman in a long flowing white dress walking down the staircase or dancing in the ballroom. Hotel staff have heard noises in the bridal suite on days when there were no registered guests for the room. People have also seen the spirit of a young woman on the stairs with her dress on fire. Then she vanishes.
The Bellman at the Banff Springs Hotel
The most popular ghost is that of Sam Macauley, a bellman who died in 1976. Not too long after Sam’s death, the ghost of a bellman wearing a 1960s uniform has been seen and the description fitted Sam perfectly. He has been known to help people who are locked out of their rooms or turn on the room lights or help carry bags. His favourite haunt is the 9th floor. Anytime people try to tip him or start a conversation, the ghost of Sam will vanish.
Other Ghosts at the Banff Springs Hotel
Hotel guests and staff have reported sightings of the ghost bartender telling customers that they have drank too much and need to go to bed. The spirit of a headless man playing the bagpipes has been reported on occasion. Guests have reported a chilly breeze on the staircase where the bride had fallen.
The Banff Springs Hotel is a grand hotel and it’s understandable why people from the spirit world don’t want to leave.
Related Articles and Blogs on Ghosts and Hauntings in Canada:
Haunted Fort Garry Hotel Winnipeg
The Canadian Pacific Hotels are Haunted
Maureen K. Fleury - Maureen joined Suite101 in March 1999 as a Contributing Editor and worked her way up as a Managing Editor and Senior Managing Editor. In ...
