Blast from the Past - Ghost Stories

The historic Hotel Malaspina (Lund Hotel) is home to the spectral presences of Fred Thulin (above) and his wife May Palmer.

Photo courtesy of the Powell River Historical Museum & Archives

The dentist Dr. Marlatt haunts The Patricia.

Photo courtesy of the Powell River Historical Museum & Archives

Well-dressed ghosts enjoy local hotels, theatre

By JOËLLE SÉVIGNY

When thinking of haunted places in the community, the Townsite is definitely high on the list. The historic buildings and the feeling of old, create a spooky atmosphere that makes you feel like you could see a ghost just around the corner. Most of these older buildings also have wooden floors that like to creak, especially on dark and quiet evenings. It is enough to give you the chills!

Some of the most haunted buildings are said to be the Rodmay, the Courthouse, and the Patricia Theatre. Interestingly, these three places are all public buildings that have seen many people over the last century and continue to do so today. It makes sense that a few souls lingered in these places; they still have their stories to tell, sometimes at the expense of frightened visitors …

According to Joan Campbell, the Rodmay has about five resident ghosts. With the top floor closed for a number of years now, it really is the perfect hiding spot. “The Matron” is an older woman who frequents the Rainbow Room. She is thought to be Barbara McKinney, the first family to own the hotel. The most commonly seen ghost is “Charlie,” a Chinese cook. There were many Chinese workers at the Rodmay, and others who slept in the basement. Their ghosts play jokes and tricks on people, like turning stools at the restaurant counter or unscrewing light bulbs.

One of the well-known ghosts of the Patricia Theatre is a balding man with spectacles. This ghost is thought to be Dr. Marlatt because of his dentist office, which used to be located on the second floor of the theatre. The Doctor is rumoured to have been nasty towards children, often known to not use anaesthetics. His ghost is the “evil dentist” as former Patricia owner Ann Nelson likes to call him.

The Townsite isn’t the only haunted place, though. The Lund Hotel, originally called the Hotel Malaspina, is home to the ghosts of Fred Thulin and his first wife May Palmer. May appears as a woman in a long white dress, often dancing in the saloon; she is nicknamed “the woman in white.” On the other hand, Fred, settler and founder of Lund, appears in a nice suit wandering the hotel or sometimes in the lobby.

If you have ever seen any of these ghosts or others in the area, send us your story, we would love to hear it! Happy ghost hunting!

Blast from the Past is a monthly historical column written by the Townsite Heritage Society’s coordinator Joëlle Sévigny. The THS tells the history of Townsite from 1907 onward.

THE MATRON: It’s likely Barbara McKinney who haunts the Rainbow Room at the Rodmay Hotel.

Photo courtesy of the Powell River Historical Museum & Archives