Tag: Cemetery Photography

A Collection of Bingo Cards

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One of my favourite things about wandering through cemeteries is coming across gravestone symbols. Over the years, I’ve noticed that certain themes appear again and again. I’ve also noticed that symbolism is evolving, that modern grave symbols are starting to reflect everyday life rather than religion or tradition. These symbols often say the most about a person, quietly hinting at what mattered to them beyond their name and dates.

Today, I want to take a closer look at bingo cards as a gravestone symbol.

I’ve photographed many of these symbols over the years, and each one has its own take on the same idea. It’s interesting to see how the simple card design is depicted and sometimes filled in. Seeing this symbol appear in different cemeteries really highlights how a shared love of a game can become a lasting part of someone’s story.

  • A blank Bingo card engraved of a headstone
    Sacred Heart Cemetery, Trout Creek ON ©2022

A Brief History of Bingo

Bingo’s roots stretch back several centuries. The game can be traced all the way back to 16th-century Italy, where a lottery-style game called Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia became popular with the public.1 From there, variations of the game spread across Europe, including a version played in France in the 1700s that used cards with numbered grids, something that will feel very familiar to modern bingo players.¹

The modern game of bingo took shape in the United States in the early 20th century. Before it was called bingo, it was known as “beano,” a carnival game where players used dried beans to mark numbers on cards and shouted “Beano!” when they won.¹ In 1929, New York toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe encountered the game at a carnival near Atlanta, Georgia, and immediately saw its potential.¹

According to popular accounts, the name changed after Lowe overheard a player accidentally yell “Bingo!” instead, and the new name stuck.¹

  • Two Bingo Cards and a bingo dabber, engraved on a headstone
    Saint Joseph’s Cemetery also known as Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Cemetery, Powassan ON ©2024

Lowe helped turn bingo into the organized game we recognize today. He hired Columbia University mathematician Carl Leffler to create thousands of unique bingo card combinations, reducing the chances of ties and repeated number patterns.¹ By 1930, Leffler had designed 6,000 different cards.¹ Lowe’s company went on to produce bingo cards nationwide, helping the game spread through churches, community halls, and social clubs.²

Bingo quickly became known not just as a game of chance, but as a social activity rooted in routine, friendship, and shared time together.²

  • A Bingo card engraved on a headstone
    Saint Marks Anglican Cemetery, Midland ON ©2023

As bingo grew into a familiar part of everyday life, its also found its way into cemetery symbolism.

Bingo cards are a relatively modern gravestone symbol, especially when compared to traditional imagery like crosses, flowers, or angels. Their appearance reflects a broader shift in cemetery symbolism, where markers are becoming more personal and more closely tied to everyday life. For some visitors, a bingo card carved into stone might come as a surprise. It is not a symbol most people expect to see in a cemetery!

For those who knew the person, though, the meaning is often immediately clear. Bingo is a social game, tied to routine, friendship, and shared experiences. An engraved bingo card can represent a deep love for the game, but it can also point to a wider social circle and a sense of community. These stones quietly celebrate connection, showing that even simple joys can leave a lasting mark.

  • A Bingo card engraved on a tombstone
    Our Lady of The Assumption Cemetery, Brentwood ON ©2025
  • A Bingo card engraved on a headstone
    St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery, Earlton ON ©2023
  • A blank Bingo card engraved on a tombstone
    All Peoples Cemetery, Monetville ON ©2023
  • A homemade metal Bingo card
    Grandview Cemetery, Massey ON ©2022

Bingo card gravestones are a reminder that memorials do not have to be solemn to be meaningful. They can reflect laughter, routine, and the small joys that shaped a life. Every time I come across one, I am reminded that cemeteries are full of stories, not just of how people died, but of how they lived.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Bingo: History of the Game | Thought Co.
  2. History and Evolution of Bingo | Longmont Bingo Alley

Thoughts on Photographing Cemeteries Respectfully

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Cemeteries are places of reflection, history, and, for some, a source of artistic inspiration. After nearly two decades of photographing cemeteries, I often find myself thinking about how to balance documenting these spaces with respecting the people who rest there.

Is it ever inappropriate to photograph a grave? Are there certain cemeteries or gravestones that should be off-limits? These are questions that I, and I’m sure many other cemetery photographers, often think about.

Cemeteries are undeniably beautiful. From intricate gravestones and elaborate monuments to the way nature blends with history, they offer countless opportunities to tell stories through photography. Many photographers, myself included, see this work as a form of preservation. Stone doesn’t last forever, and time can slowly erase names, symbols, and details. Sometimes, a photograph becomes the only lasting record of a gravestone.

But while photography can help preserve history, it’s just as important to remember that cemeteries are sacred places. What feels like a meaningful or artistic image to one person could feel intrusive or disrespectful to someone else.

  • Elora Cemetery
    Elora Cemetery, Elora ON ©2025

Are Cemeteries in Ontario Public or Private Spaces?

The first step in thinking about the ethics of cemetery photography is understanding whether a cemetery is public or private. In Ontario, cemeteries are regulated by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO), which oversees the rules and standards that govern their operation. Many cemeteries, especially older ones, are municipally owned and open to the public. Even so, public access does not always mean unrestricted access. Some cemeteries do have specific rules around photography, so it’s always a good idea to check for posted signage or guidelines before starting to take photos.

Private cemeteries, which are often operated by religious groups or independent organizations, can enforce stricter rules. Some may require permission, particularly if photos will be used commercially. A few years ago, a proposed bylaw in Waterloo, Ontario, suggested restrictions on cemetery photography in city cemeteries. This sparked a debate among genealogists and historians who rely on photos for research and preservation.1

It’s also important to recognize that cemeteries carry cultural, religious, and spiritual meaning for many people. Over time, I have learned that different cultures have their own unique traditions around death and burial, and those traditions should always be respected. In some cases, photographing certain graves or monuments may be discouraged, or photography itself may be seen as inappropriate. I try to be mindful of these differences when I am visiting and photographing cemeteries, and when I am unsure, I see it as a cue to slow down or ask questions. Being aware of these differences and asking for permission when needed, goes a long way toward practising photography that feels respectful rather than intrusive.

I don’t always get it right, but I try to approach each visit with respect and a willingness to learn. For me, that respect often extends beyond my own photography and into finding ways to help others connect with these places of rest.

Photographing cemeteries isn’t just about capturing beautiful or historic images. It can also be a meaningful way to help others. I’ve been a member of Find a Grave for over 11 years, where photographers volunteer to take photos of gravestones for people who request it. For those who can’t visit a cemetery themselves, these photos can be incredibly important.

If you’ve never considered volunteering as a cemetery photographer, it can be a rewarding way to give back while helping preserve family histories. Find a Grave is a great place to start!

The gratitude I’ve received from people who’ve found photos of their ancestor’s graves through the site has been deeply meaningful. Volunteering in this way can also create a sense of community by helping others access information and preserve legacies they might not otherwise have been able to reach.

  • A worn gravestone leaning up against a big tree trunk.
    Elora Cemetery, Elora ON ©2025

Cemetery photography is a deeply personal practice. For some, it’s all about exploring history. For others, it’s about artistic expression. The most important thing is approaching it with care and awareness. If you’re ever unsure whether a photo is appropriate, it helps to pause and imagine how you would feel if it were your loved one’s grave.

I believe in the principle of “taking nothing but pictures, leaving nothing but footprints.” For me, I think ethical cemetery photography comes down to intentions. Are you there to honour, preserve, and respect? If so, I think your work will reflect that naturally.

What do you think? Where do you draw the line between art and respect when it comes to cemetery photography?

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Waterloo says new cemetery photo bylaw won’t affect historians, family | CBC

Stone Stories: A Skyscraper in the Cemetery

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There’s something about the start of a new year that makes me want to jump right in, and what better way to do that than with a stone story.

This one had been on my must-see list for a while, and last summer I finally got to see it in person on a road trip with friends. Tucked away in Aurora Cemetery in Aurora, Ontario, is one of the most unique gravestones I’ve ever come across: a miniature version of the Empire State Building.

John William “Jack” Bowser was born in 1892 in Aurora, Ontario, and went on to become a successful businessman and entrepreneur.1 After moving to New York City, Bowser made his fortune in construction, eventually becoming closely associated with one of the most famous buildings in the world, The Empire State Building.2 Dubbed “Canada’s Greatest Builder,”2 Bowser was deeply involved in the project and served as the construction superintendent, which helps explain why this iconic skyscraper would later appear in such an unexpected place.3

Despite his success in the United States, Bowser maintained strong ties to his hometown. He returned to Canada, and remained active in construction. Bowser owned and operated ABC, Aurora Building Corp. until his death, in 1956.1

  • The Aurora Era, newspaper clipping.
    The Aurora Era, Serving Aurora and District. Aurora, Ontario, Thursday, December 20th, 1945

A Skyscraper Among the Stones

Bowser’s gravestone is impossible to miss. Carved in the unmistakable shape of the Empire State Building, the monument rises above the surrounding stones, complete with stepped setbacks that mirror the Art Deco design of the real skyscraper.4 Standing roughly 10 feet tall, the stone serves as a tribute not only to Bowser himself, but also to his pride in being part of a project that briefly held the title of the tallest building in the world.5

It’s also a fascinating example of how personal identity and legacy can be captured in stone. Rather than traditional symbols or lengthy inscriptions, this monument tells Bowser’s story at a glance. Even if you didn’t know his name, the shape of the stone immediately sparks curiosity and invites questions.

Aurora Cemetery

Aurora Cemetery is the final resting place for many notable local figures, but Bowser’s grave is by far one of its most talked-about features. The cemetery itself is well-maintained and easy to walk, making it a worthwhile stop even beyond this one monument. That said, it’s easy to see why this gravestone has become something of a local landmark and a favourite stop for cemetery enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.

My friends and I visited during one of those truly hot summer days when the heat seems to cling to you, even when you’re standing still. Despite the temperature, the Empire State Building gravestone was impossible to miss. It towers over the surrounding stones, drawing your eye almost immediately as you approach that section of the cemetery.

We were more than happy to slow down and admire it. The monument sits beneath a small grove of trees, and the shade was very welcome after walking through the cemetery in the full sun. We lingered there for a while, taking in the details of the stone and enjoying the brief break from the heat.

John W. Bowser is laid to rest beside his wife, Adaleine McMillan Bowser, who died suddenly in an accident on September 4, 1948.2

Grave of John W. Bowser

Gravesite of John W. Bowser and his wife Adaleine Bowser. Aurora Cemetery, Aurora ON ©2025

Seeing the gravestone brought back memories of my first trip to New York City in 2010, when I saw the real Empire State Building for the first time. Standing at Bowser’s grave, it was hard not to compare the two. One is a towering steel skyscraper in the middle of a busy city, and the other is a quiet stone monument in a small-town cemetery. Even so, both have a presence that makes you stop and look up.

  • New York City Skyline.
    New York City Skyline (The Empire State Building is on the far right), New York NY ©2010

John W. Bowser’s Empire State Building gravestone is a perfect reminder that cemeteries are full of unexpected stories. Sometimes those stories are told through dates and names, and sometimes they rise straight out of the ground in the shape of a skyscraper.

Starting the year with a stone like this feels fitting, and it’s a good reminder to keep looking closely. You never know what kind of story might be waiting in the next cemetery.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. John W. Bowser | Wikipedia
  2. John W. Bowser, More About an Auroran Linked to the Empire State Building | Living in Aurora Blog
  3. John W. Bowser’s Empire State Building Grave | Atlas Obscura
  4. Empire State Building Tombstone In The Aurora Cemetery, John W. Bowser | Living in Aurora Blog
  5. Empire State Building brought prominence to Bowser | YorkRegion.com

2025 Year in Review: Graving Reflections

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As the year winds down, I always like to slow down and think about where this past year of cemetery wandering has taken me.

This year felt especially full, not just because of how far I travelled, but because of the stories I uncovered, the connections I made, and the ideas still rattling around in my head. From long road trips with friends to shorter day trips with mom, 2025 was another reminder of why I keep visiting cemeteries.

So before we head into a new year, I wanted to take a moment to look back at a few highlights, along with some things I want to carry forward.

  • 2025 Year in review

One thing that really stood out when I look back on this past year was just how many cemeteries I managed to visit. Even though it was a slightly quieter year overall, I still explored 84 cemeteries I’d never been to before, plus three return visits. This brings my total to 87 cemetery visits in 2025.

That number is a little lower than usual, but I’m honestly okay with that. Each visit added something new to my understanding of local history, memorial traditions, and the quiet beauty found in these spaces. It’s a good reminder that it’s not just about how many cemeteries you visit, but what you take away from them.

  • Screen grab of Google maps
    Screen grab of my Cemetery Map for Ontario. (Grey pips have been visited) ©2025

One trip that really stayed with me was a visit to Walkerton with my mom, where we spent time learning about the Walkerton Water Tragedy. It was heavy, emotional, and important. It reinforced for me why cemeteries and memorial spaces matter. They give us a place to remember, reflect, and sit with difficult truths.

Another memorable trip took my mom and I to Orillia to visit the OPP Headquarters. Tucked inside their museum is the final resting place of Cloud II, the first Ontario Provincial Police dog killed in the line of duty. That story has stayed with me. I haven’t quite shaped it into a full blog post yet, but it’s one I’m hoping to share in the new year.

This year also saw my friends and I take our longest road trip yet. We dared to make the six-hour drive to London, Ontario, to visit Woodland Cemetery. Known for its deer, famous graves, and beautiful tombstones, it was definitely worth the trip. We made good time getting there, stopped in for lunch at The Early Bird, and then spent a couple of hours exploring the cemetery before heading back home. Yes, another six hours in the car. We were all glad we did it, but we also vowed never do that again!

  • Cemetery gates of Woodland Cemetery, London
    Woodland Cemetery, London ON ©2025

Not all of this year’s highlights happened inside cemetery gates. One of the most unexpected moments was being interviewed for a Smithsonian Magazine article about gravestone recipes, which still feels a bit surreal to write. I was also mentioned in a Better Homes & Gardens article on the same topic. Seeing such a niche corner of cemetery history reach a wider audience was incredibly validating and reminded me that these stories really do resonate.

I was also invited, once again, to write a guest post for The Haunted Walk. Working with them is always a highlight, and I love having the chance to share my love of cemeteries with their audience.

That said, the year didn’t unfold exactly the way I thought it would. I’d hoped to focus more on experience-based content, and while some of that started to take shape, there’s still a lot I want to try. Instead of seeing that as a failure, I’m choosing to see it as a road map for what comes next.

Looking ahead to 2026, I’m setting a few graving-style New Year’s resolutions!

I want to lean more into hands-on experiences like nighttime cemetery photography, tagging along on a cemetery ghost hunt, or maybe even shadowing someone who cleans gravestones to better understand preservation work. Those story-rich moments feel like a natural next step for me.

For now, though, as the snow settles in and cemetery visits pause, my focus shifts indoors. Winter is my season for research, sharing more stone stories, and finally giving my website portfolio the attention it deserves. I’ll also be spending more time contributing to Find a Grave by doing the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that helps keep those records useful and accessible.

Like most winters, I’ll also be taking a few online courses, with a focus on historic preservation (including cemeteries), as well as grief coaching and end-of-life care. It feels like the right time to explore death and remembrance from a slightly different angle.

  • An Angel statue
    Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Wilno ON ©2025

As I look forward to the new year, I feel genuinely excited about what’s ahead. There are new ideas I want to explore, new experiences I want to say yes to, and plenty of learning to do while the cemeteries rest under the snow.

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who reads along, shares posts, sends book recommendations, and reaches out to chat about gravestones, stories, and history.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I hope the new year brings you good health, curiosity, and meaningful moments. Wishing you a very happy New Year, and I’ll see you in 2026.

Thanks for reading!

Stone Stories: The Golden Girls of Prospect Cemetery

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Have you ever heard of best friends being buried together?

That’s exactly what four women in Toronto chose to do. They lived in the same neighbourhood, supported one another, and made sure they’d stay side by side long after their time on earth. Their story is heartwarming, inspiring, and a little unexpected.

In the heart of Toronto’s Prospect Cemetery sits a shared gravestone marked with one simple word: Friends. The four women behind that stone, Pauline Chorna, Annie Hrynchak, Nellie Handiak and Anna Baran, might not be famous, but their story has captured hearts across Canada and beyond.

These women, friends in life and now in death, chose to be buried together as chosen family. Their decision, made decades ago, quietly reflects a lifestyle that’s now becoming more common, one that embraces shared housing and friendship as a way to age with dignity and connection.1

At a time when most people were buried with relatives, choosing to be buried with friends was unusual and incredibly meaningful, which is part of why their gravestone stands out so much today.

  • Friends gravetsone
    “Friends” Prospect Cemetery, Toronto ON ©2025

Thank you for being a Friend

Long before the Golden Girls TV show aired in 1985, these four women had already built full lives rooted in friendship and community. All four were immigrants from the Carpathian Mountains, part of a wave of 20th-century migration driven by difficult economic times2. Some say they may have met on the ship that brought them to Canada.2

They each married and raised families, but no matter where life took them, they stayed close. They met regularly to play cards and catch up at the Carpatho-Russian cultural centre, building a bond that lasted decades and continued beyond their lifetimes.

This kind of friendship, and now living arrangement, is part of a growing movement in Canada known as the Golden Girls model. It’s a new way for seniors to share homes instead of moving into care facilities. It helps fight loneliness and can make housing more affordable. In 2019, a bill called the Golden Girls Act was introduced in Ontario to make shared housing easier and more protected by law.3

The movement has grown beyond Toronto, too. In my hometown of Sudbury, for example, a group of women created the Golden Girls Network to help seniors learn more about shared housing. They want people to know that this way of living can offer friendship, safety, and support. It’s not just about saving money, it’s also about finding joy and community in later life.4

  • Prospect Cemetery gates
    Prospect Cemetery, Toronto ON ©2025

Prospect Cemetery

Prospect Cemetery opened in 1890 and has been part of Toronto’s landscape ever since, with peaceful paths and historic stones that reflect more than a century of stories.5

We visited on a chilly, grey day in late April 2025. My fiancé and I were staying in Toronto with friends, and they suggested we take a stroll through the cemetery. The cemetery is quite large, and many locals use it for dog walks, bike lessons and quiet strolls.

Our friends were more than happy to show us around, especially to show us the grave of the well-known Golden Girls.

We found their final resting place easily. The red granite stone sits right along the path. At the top, where a family name would usually be, is the word “Friends”, followed by the names and dates for each woman.

Pauline Chorna was the first to pass away on January 30, 1977.

Annie Hrynchak followed on February 6, 1993, at the age of 87.

Anna Baran also passed away on February 6, 1996, 3 years later, at the age of 91.

Nellie Handiak, who had purchased the cemetery plot back in 1968, was the last of the group to pass away.2 She died on June 22, 2006, at the age of 97.

  • "Friends" gravestone in Prospect Cemetery, Toronto ON
    Prospect Cemetery, Toronto ON ©2025

Handiak’s daughter, Jeannie, honoured one of her mother’s final wishes by slipping a deck of cards into her casket.2

When Handiak first told her daughter that everything had already been arranged, even the headstone, Jeannie was taken aback. “Oh, we got that too. We’re gonna be ‘friends’”, her mother had said.2 When asked why, her answer was simple: cards. So when Jeannie placed that deck of cards in the casket, she made sure the four friends could carry on their favourite card games in the afterlife.2

Their story continues to be shared online and in local news, and their gravestone has become a small point of interest for visitors who are moved by their friendship.

So, if you ever find yourself wandering through Prospect Cemetery, take a moment to visit their grave. It might leave you thinking differently about getting older and about how powerful true friendship can be.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Who are the Golden Girls of Prospect Cemetery and why did they decide to spend eternity together? | Toronto Star
  2. Best Friends…Forever | Toronto Star (through Pressreader)
  3. Golden Girls Act to help seniors access shared housing | Registered Nurse Journal
  4. ‘Golden Girls’ concept expands to Sudbury, Northern Ontario | Sudbury Star
  5. Prospect Cemetery | Find a Grave

Cemetery Book Review: Remembrance

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November feels like the right time to settle in with a book about memory, loss, and the people who shaped the world before us.

The author of Remembrance, Norman S. Track, kindly reached out and shared a PDF copy with me to review. Self-published in 2019 through Blurb, the book explores war memorials and cemeteries around the world, focusing on how we honour and remember lives shaped by conflict.

With Remembrance Day having just passed, the theme hits close to home.

Here is the book synopsis from Blurb:

“A September 1970 trip to Warsaw, unexpectedly, started me on a journey of memory and remembrance. Twenty-six years later, while walking through the six towers of the Boston New England Holocaust Memorial, I felt myself back in rural Poland traversing the terrain of Treblinka, Gross Rosen, and Auschwitz-Birkenau. Four years later, after extensive study and thought, I traveled throughout Europe visiting sites where incidents occurred, both negative and positive, during the twelve years of the Third Reich. The photographic images of that journey are published in A Voice in the Ashes (2008).

The latest stop on my journey was a visit to Ohlsdorf Cemetery, Hamburg. On 11 May 2017 I photographed a number of military cemeteries, both German and Commonwealth. On the train back to Eppendorf, I started to see these Ohlsdorf images standing together with those from the historical landscape of the Third Reich—all speaking the language of remembrance. This collection of images is a first attempt to explore this concept.”

  • Book cover for Remembrance by Norman S. Track
    Remembrance by Norman S. Track

This is a beautiful book. The photos have a quiet strength to them and carry a lot of emotion. Every image is paired with text that weaves historical detail with the author’s personal experiences at these sites, giving you both facts and feelings. It feels like you’re learning about the past while also witnessing how it lives on in memory.

The layout is clean and simple, giving the photos room to speak for themselves. I love photo books that give the images room to breathe, and Remembrance does that really well. There is a strong balance of context, reflection, and personal connection that brings the sites and the author’s journey together.

If you enjoy cemetery photography, memorials, military history, or books that encourage you to slow down and think, this is a lovely choice. It’s a book meant to be experienced, and not skimmed. It carries a great deal of respect for the places it documents.

I’m always grateful to find cemetery-related books that explore memory with care, and this one does so in a sincere and thoughtful way.

Thanks for reading! 

I am always on the hunt for cemetery-related book recommendations. If you are an author and have a cemetery-related book you would like me to review, please reach out at hello@chantallarochelle.ca. I would love to hear from you!

A Collection of Canadian Military Markers

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With Remembrance Day coming up on November 11, I have been thinking a lot about the quiet way we honour those who have served.

One of my favourite ways to reflect is by visiting military graves. There is something powerful about finding these simple, dignified markers in cemeteries across the country.

So, I thought this would be a meaningful time to share a collection of Canadian military gravestones that I have photographed over the years. Each one tells a story, and together they remind us that service and sacrifice are never forgotten.

Zion Evangelical United Church Cemetery, Pembroke ON ©2024

Canadian Armed Forces members who pass away during service are honoured with a standard military tombstone. These gravestones are arranged through the Department of National Defence and placed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission when the marker is in one of their cemeteries, or by Public Works and Government Services Canada when it is in a civilian cemetery.1 The goal is to maintain a consistent style and honour each member with the same level of care.1

Veterans who are buried in civilian cemeteries can also receive grave marker support. Veterans Affairs Canada runs a Grave Marker Maintenance Program that repairs, cleans, and restores veteran markers across the country.2

In 2023 alone, more than 110,000 repairs were carried out in communities big and small.3 It is pretty incredible to think about how much work goes into preserving these stones and their stories.

  • First Baptist Cemetery, Pembroke ON ©2024
  • Wiseman’s Corner Schoolhouse Heritage Centre, Burks Falls ON ©2023

There are clear rules that guide what goes on a military gravestone. The design is simple and respectful. Each one includes the person’s name, rank, service number, unit or branch, and date of death. If the family wishes, an approved religious emblem or a personal inscription can be added. The stones are all made in the same style and materials, so they stay uniform and recognizable.1

  • Cemetery of Saint John. the Divine 1911-1931, Byng Inlet ON ©2021
  • Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon SK ©2011
  • Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon SK ©2011
  • St. John’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Kirkfield ON ©2022

Military graves remind us that history is not just something in books. It’s carved in stone and tended with care. Next time you are exploring a cemetery and you see one of these markers, take a moment to pause.

Lest we forget.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Military headstones | Government of Canada
  2. Grave marker maintenance | Veterans Affairs Canada
  3. Over 110,000 repairs made to Veteran grave markers across the country | Government of Canada

October Stone Stories: The Bird Family and Woodchester Villa

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Even though Halloween has just passed, it still feels like a perfect time to share another ghost story.

One that stands out is the tale of the Bird family of Bracebridge, Ontario, and the mysterious history of Woodchester Villa. A house known for both its striking architecture and its lingering ghostly rumours.

In April of 2024, my mother and I took a trip to Bracebridge to explore this unique historic site. It was Easter weekend and our first road trip of the season. The Spring thaw had come early, but spring itself hadn’t quite arrived yet. The trees were bare, and the grass was still brown, giving the whole day an autumn feel.

It was fitting, since we were there to visit ghosts.

Woodchester Villa. Bracebridge ON ©2024

Henry James Bird

Built in 1882, Woodchester Villa was the dream home of Henry James Bird, a successful wool mill owner who made his mark in Bracebridge, Ontario.1 Henry was born on January 3, 1842, in Woodchester, England, the youngest of eleven children.2 He learned the wool trade in his home country before spending time in Australia and the United States, eventually settling in Canada in 1867.2

Before finding his footing in Bracebridge, Henry worked for the Rosamond Woollen Company in Lanark County.2 A few years later, he bought a mill in Glen Allan, but after a terrible flood damaged the property, he decided it was time for a change.2 Tragically, before he could make the move north, his first wife, Sarah Jane Fraser, and their two young children died of tuberculosis.2 In 1872, Henry moved to Bracebridge, where he opened the Bird Woollen Mill beside the falls.2

Henry quickly became a respected businessman and community leader. He served on the town council and helped bring new public utilities to the growing town, including its first water and fire protection systems.2 His success and civic pride eventually led him to build his grand home, naming it “Woodchester” after the village where his story began.2

Woodchester Villa

Although Woodchester Villa was ahead of its time, it’s also long been tied to strange happenings that add to its eerie charm. The house was closed during our visit, but we spent plenty of time admiring its design and reading the educational panels scattered around the property. They helped us picture what life might have been like for the Bird family living within those walls.

I wandered around the grounds with my camera, hoping to catch a flicker of movement from inside. We didn’t see any spirits, but the landscape itself felt charged, as if the past still lingered quietly on that secluded hilltop.

Woodchester Villa is one of Ontario’s finest examples of an Octagonal house.1 The eight-sided design was inspired by Orson Squire Fowler, an American phrenologist and author who believed octagon homes were healthier and more efficient than traditional square houses.1 Bird fully embraced this philosophy, creating a three-storey home that blended innovation with comfort.2

Inside, the villa featured some impressive amenities for the late 1800s, like indoor plumbing supplied by rainwater tanks on the second floor, a ventilation system that circulated air throughout the house, and even electric lighting, which was rare for the time.2

Woodchester Villa. Bracebridge ON ©2024

For all its beauty and history, Woodchester Villa has a reputation for being one of the most haunted spots in Bracebridge. Behind its restored walls, many believe something otherworldly lingers.3

Stories tell of a spectral woman and two ghostly children who seem to wander the rooms.3 Visitors and staff have reported hearing the soft cries of a baby, the quick steps of little feet on the upper floors, and the faint sound of a woman’s voice singing somewhere in the distance.3 Cold spots are often felt throughout the house, especially near the basement stairs. Some have also described the air growing so cold they could see their breath, even in the middle of summer.3

While no one can say for sure who these spirits are, many believe the ghostly woman could be Henry Bird’s first wife, Sarah Jane, accompanied by their two young children.3 All three died of tuberculosis before Henry moved to Bracebridge. Perhaps, as Andrew Hind suggests in Muskoka’s Most Haunted 2, their sudden, tragic deaths left them unable to rest, and they followed Bird north to the home he would later build.3

The idea is both eerie and oddly touching. If the spirits truly belong to Henry’s lost family, Woodchester may represent the life they were meant to share, their love quietly echoing through the halls, long after death.

Bracebridge United Cemetery

After exploring the villa grounds, we visited the nearby Bracebridge United Cemetery, where Henry James Bird and his family are buried.

After some searching, we found the graves of Henry, his second wife Mary Matilda Bird, and several of their children, including Margaret Elizabeth and Catherine.

The cemetery was quiet and calm, yet the connection between the villa and the family’s final resting place added an eerie layer to our visit. Standing at Henry’s grave, I felt surrounded by history and maybe something more. Whether it’s the family’s hardships or the strange energy tied to their home, the Bird story seems to linger beyond the grave.

Bracebridge United Cemetery, Bracebridge ON ©2024

The Bird family’s story and their haunted home remind us how easily history and mystery can intertwine. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, there’s something about Woodchester Villa that still feels alive with the past.

For anyone interested in cemetery tourism or dark local history, this hauntingly beautiful site is well worth the visit.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Woodchester Villa, Bracebridge | Ontario Heritage Trust
  2. Woodchester History | Bracebridge The heart of Muskoka
  3. Muskoka’s Most Haunted 2 by Andrew Hind | Book

October Cemetery Stories: Canada’s Most Haunted Cemetery

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Some cemeteries feel alive with history, and sometimes with something else entirely!

Drummond Hill Cemetery in Niagara Falls is one of those places. Known as the site of one of the fiercest battles of the War of 1812, it’s also considered Canada’s most haunted cemetery.

Long before its haunted reputation took hold, Drummond Hill was a popular tourist stop, even rivalling Niagara Falls. Visitors came for battlefield tours led by veterans eager to share their stories.1

  • The gates of Drummond Hill Cemetery
    Cemetery gates. Drummond Hill Cemetery, Niagara Falls ON ©2024

Drummond Hill Cemetery

Drummond Hill was once farmland, but on July 25, 1814, it became the site of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, one of the bloodiest conflicts of the War of 1812.2 The hill’s high ground made it strategically important, and the fighting went on for six hours before darkness and heavy losses brought it to an end.2 Both sides lost more than 800 men, and although each claimed victory, the Americans withdrew the next day, ending their advance into Upper Canada.2

Today, a large stone monument stands on the hill to honour those who fought and to mark the battlefield.3 Beneath it lies a vault containing the remains of 22 British soldiers.3

The first recorded burial at Drummond Hill is John Burch. He was originally buried on his farm in 1797 and re-interred here in 1799.3 That means this ground was already being used as a burial place well before the battle. Over time, the cemetery grew to roughly 4 acres and now contains more than 25,000 burials.4 The site is managed by the City of Niagara Falls and remains semi-active, though plots are no longer for sale.3

Among those buried here are veterans, Loyalist settlers, and many early Niagara families. One of the most visited graves belongs to Laura Secord, the woman who warned British forces of an American attack during the War of 1812.4 Another notable grave is that of Karel Soucek, the daredevil who famously survived his barrel plunge over Niagara Falls.5 You will also find markers and monuments for soldiers and local leaders from the region’s early days.3

Drummond Hill Cemetery, Niagara Falls ON ©2024

Haunted

With its violent past and long history, it’s no surprise Drummond Hill has a haunted reputation. Many stories connect back to the battle, where soldiers were killed and buried on the grounds.6 Visitors and locals have reported seeing ghostly soldiers walking among the gravestones, or appearing at a distance before fading away.6

It’s said that the cemetery is haunted by two distinct groups of soldiers.1 One group is a troop of five soldiers dressed in Royal Scots uniforms, limping across the former battlefield before vanishing.1 The second group is said to consist of three British Soldiers in red coats, slowly making their way up the hill and settling into a steady march, before disappearing.1

Laura Secord’s monument, which features a lifelike bust, has also been linked to supernatural occurrences. Some visitors say that her statue seems to watch them as they walk by, as if she’s still keeping a watchful eye on things.1 These reports, combined with the age of the cemetery and its battlefield history, make Drummond Hill a place where history and the supernatural feel closely connected.1

  • View of the Skylon tower from the cemetery.
    Drummond Hill Cemetery, Niagara Falls ON ©2024

When I visited Drummond Hill, I made sure to stop at Laura Secord’s grave. Standing in front of her stone was moving, knowing her bravery has become such a lasting part of Canadian history.

During my visit, I did have one unsettling experience, but it had nothing to do with the supernatural.

I came across someone under the influence, wandering through the cemetery. For the first time in all my cemetery visits, I felt unsafe. It was a harsh reminder of how deeply the opioid crisis has reached into our communities, even historic sites like this. That moment pulled me out of the past and reminded me of the struggles happening right now.

Drummond Hill Cemetery is layered with stories. It carries the weight of the War of 1812, the lives of pioneers and heroes, and the ghostly legends of soldiers who never left. It’s a place where history and mystery meet, and where the past feels close. Visiting left me reflecting not only on the history that shaped this ground, but also on the realities of the present.

Haunted or not, Drummond Hill remains one of Canada’s most fascinating and important cemeteries.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Haunted Cemeteries: True Tales From Beyond the Grave by Edrick Thay | Book
  2. Battle of Lundy’s Lane National Historic Site of Canada | Government of Canada
  3. Drummond Hill Cemetery | City of Niagara Falls
  4. Drummond Hill Cemetery | Find a Grave
  5. Karel Soucek | Find a Grave
  6. The Most Haunted Cemetery in Canada is Drummond Hill | Ghost Walks

October Stone Stories: The Haunting of Bell Mansion

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Some places just have a presence.

You can’t help but notice them. The Bell Mansion in Sudbury, Ontario, is one of those places. It’s grand, full of history, and, if the stories are true, maybe even haunted.

Despite its spooky reputation, it’s also been a popular spot for wedding photos, with its striking architecture offering a mix of romance and a touch of haunted charm.

But while the mansion still stands for now, its future is uncertain, and its past lingers in more ways than one.

The Bell Mansion. Sudbury, ON ©2024

The Bell Family

William Joseph Bell, better known as Willie Joe, was born in Pembroke, Ontario, in 1858.1 He started in the lumber industry at just 18, working as a scaler and lumberjack in Quebec.1 By the time he moved to Northern Ontario in 1896, he had already made a name for himself.1 He quickly climbed the ranks, becoming Vice-President and General Manager of the Spanish River Lumber Company in 1901.1 His influence didn’t stop there; he also ran a hardware company and sat on the board of National Grocers Ltd.1

In 1886, he married Katherine Skead, the daughter of an Ottawa senator, and the couple eventually settled in Sudbury.1 Beyond business, they were generous community builders. Their greatest gift may be Bell Park, a beautiful green space on Ramsey Lake, which they donated in 1926.2 A gift that continues to benefit Sudbury today.

The park remains one of the city’s most beloved gathering spots, offering accessible recreation for people of all ages. Just as Bell Park connects residents with nature, the Bell Mansion connects them with the city’s past, standing as a reminder of the Bells’ influence and Sudbury’s early growth.

The Bell Mansion

Built in 1907, the Bell Mansion, also known as Belrock, is beautiful. Made from local stone in the Arts and Crafts style, the house once sat on 155 acres, stretching from Elizabeth Street down to Ramsey Lake.3,4 That land is now Bell Park, but back then it was all part of the Bell’s massive estate. The mansion itself is a 6,000-square-foot beauty, complete with a coach house, greenhouse, and a separate house for the servants.4

On December 3, 1955, disaster struck when a fire gutted the home, leaving little more than stone walls standing.5 Only one room survived—the conservatory.5 The Nickel Lodge Masons bought the property, but their rebuilding plans never came to life.5 For more than a decade, the mansion sat empty until the Centennial Committee of the Chamber of Commerce led renovations in 1966.5 Two years later, ownership was transferred to Laurentian University, which leased the space to the Art Gallery of Sudbury.5

For decades, the gallery displayed countless exhibits within the mansion’s walls. But what fascinates people just as much as the art are the ghost stories.

Over the years, people have reported eerie sounds such as rustling skirts, heels clicking across the floor, and even ghostly horses neighing outside.6 Many believe Katherine Bell still keeps watch over her home.6 Staff and security have both described phantom footsteps, loud crashes with nothing disturbed, and objects disappearing only to reappear days later.5

The most memorable stories involve a woman’s voice that can be heard eerily singing throughout the house. It’s seems to be loudest in the conservatory, the only room spared by the fire.5 Some say Katherine is still rehearsing for one last ghostly concert.5

She may not be alone. Visitors claim William Bell also makes his presence known, through heavy footsteps and sightings of a tall figure in a dark suit and top hat, quietly watching over the gallery.5

Another mystery once puzzled visitors: the sound of children laughing and playing inside the house, even though the Bells never had children of their own.5 The voices eventually faded, but the questions remain. Who were they, and what tied them to the mansion?5

In 2024, I visited to photograph the exterior. Though currently closed to the public and sadly in visible disrepair, the mansion still has an undeniable elegance, and definitely still has stories to tell.

The Bell Mansion. Sudbury, ON ©2024

Calvin United Church Cemetery

For all their ties to Sudbury, the Bells aren’t buried there.

Instead, they rest in Calvin United Church Cemetery in Pembroke, Ontario, a peaceful spot along Boundary Road East where six cemeteries line the street.

William Joseph Bell died in January 1945 at the age of 87 from complications of a leg injury, and was buried in the family plot.5 When Katherine Bell passed away in her home at age 90 in 1954, she was laid to rest beside him.7 William’s parents and three siblings are also buried in the family plot. Their large pink granite monument is simple and understated. It’s a sharp contrast to the grandeur of the mansion they left behind.

On my way back from Ottawa in 2024, I stopped in to visit their graves. Despite their prominence in Sudbury, I was surprised they weren’t buried there. With the help of reference photos, I eventually found their gravestone and was able to pay my respects.

Bell family plot. Calvin United Church Cemetery, Pembroke ON ©2024

Today, the fate of the Bell Mansion is uncertain.

In late 2024, Laurentian University announced it would list the property for sale, saying repairs were too costly.8 The Art Gallery of Sudbury, which had long occupied the mansion, has already relocated as part of Laurentian’s insolvency process.8

In response, local advocates launched a petition urging that the grounds remain open to the public and that the heritage designation be respected.9 Many argue the mansion is too important a piece of Sudbury’s history to lose.10 That is one of the reasons I felt it was important to photograph it and share its story.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there’s no denying that this house has a past worth remembering.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. The History of Bell Rock | Local Color
  2. Appreciating the legacy of Bell Park | Sudbury.com
  3. Bell Mansion provides touch of elegance | Northern Ontario Business
  4. Turning Bell Mansion into a historical teaching tool | Sudbury.com
  5. Haunted Museums & Galleries of Ontario by Andrew Hind | Book
  6. Ten haunted habitations and spooky sites in Greater Sudbury | Sudbury.com
  7. The History of The Bell Mansion | Art Gallery of Sudbury
  8. Historic Bell Mansion in Sudbury, Ont., listed for $1M | CBC
  9. Sale shouldn’t limit access to Bell Mansion grounds, petition states | Sudbury.com
  10. Bell Mansion’s heritage should be protected, local history buffs say | Sudbury.com