History Walks in Vancouver with James Johnstone - April 2023

Hello Friends,

History Walks in Vancouver is back in April 2023!

History Walks in Vancouver - BlogSpot

Once again, Kati Ackermann (of VSPI) is co-hosting History-Ghost Walks with James Johnstone, historian & house genealogist 

Sunday, April 16 @ 10am - East Hastings at Heatley / 2-3 hour walk / Cost $40/person / Limited space.
History-Ghost Walk #1

Sunday, April 23 @ 10am - corner of Ramur Ave and Malkin (near Cottonwood Community Gardens) / 2-3 hour walk / Cost $40/person / Limited space.
History-Ghost Walk #2

As Intuitive, Kati reads the "Spirit" energy of the houses/buildings, while James brings its history alive.

These walks are fantastic.
Not only do you learn about some of the oldest communities in Vancouver; you get to meet the past in a wonderful 2-3 hour walk while learning about the people that first called the area "home", as well as discovering the spiritual side. You'll learn about the types of dwellings that first stood on the land, and hear of the history involved that made Vancouver a city people were drawn to.

If you are interested, please book immediately as there is a limit of space available. These walks are fantastic for your morning exercise regime. Ensure you wear comfy shoes, bring a bottle of water to keep you hydrated, a snack or two.. and note, there are no washroom breaks, so be prepared. Come rain/shine.

To book, email historywalks@gmail.com - you can pay the fee at the Walk or email transfer it to James.

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely, your friend as always,

Kati

PS: James Johnstone also hosts other History Walks (see the BlogSpot link), which I recommend. He's fantastic at bringing the stories of the heritage areas alive. Check it out and book quickly.

The Terrified Drug Addict.. (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

Today I bring you the case of a young Vancouver born man, who lost his way as a teenager, and could not pull himself out from the darkness.  Why, we may never understand; but then do we ever understand the choices troubled teenagers make?

This is our twenty-fourth blog about the 49+ convicts buried at the once hidden B.C. Penitentiary Cemetery, nicknamed "Boot Hill" by the inmates, in New Westminster, B.C. The cemetery was actively used between 1913-1967, as a sacred spot for deceased convicts whose families did not claim their bodies.  It has always thought to be "haunted" by the inmates of the Pen; and countless people have reported unexplained occurrences from black orbs to voices calling out, shadow figures along the tree lines, and eerie feelings while on the property.  This small acre is now accessible to the public, after a face lift replaced the old stone markers with newer ones, and a plaque describing who is lying beneath the soft sod has been displayed.

Meet Convict #9880 - Leonard McCarty

Courtesy of Find A Grave - Photo by Herbert Rickards (2007)
Grave found middle of last row on east side.

Sentenced to Life... (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

Today I bring you the story of a man who was sentenced to life, released after 18+ years; then found himself in prison again. This is our twenty-third blog about the 49+ convicts buried at the once hidden B.C. Penitentiary Cemetery for many decades, nicknamed "Boot Hill" by the inmates, in New Westminster, B.C.. the cemetery was used between 1913-1967, as a sacred spot for the deceased convicts who's family did not claim their bodies. It has always thought to be "haunted" by the inmates, and countless paranormal groups have reported unexplained happenings from black orbs to voices calling out. The small acre is now accessible to the public, after a face lift replacing the old stones with newer ones, and a plaque describing who is laying beneath the soft sod.

Meet Convict #5920 - George Sydney Williams

Courtesy Find A Grave - Photo by Herbert Rickards (2007)

Being Sensitive to Spirit Energy...

Hello Friends,

One evening, just as I was falling asleep, and in that stage where the body is settling in; without warning, I felt a stab in my back. My eyes opened. I was alert; laying on my right side, facing my bedroom wall. A second later I clearly heard someone thumbing through a magazine. The sound of each page being turned was distinct. I felt another jab into my back. I realized it was an elbow. Then I felt movement down near my feet. Someone was in bed next to me.
My body tensed. Fear crept in. What do I do? How could someone have come into my home and layed down next to me without me knowing? With bravery and courage, I flipped over quickly to face the person. In an instant, a flash of a woman with wavy grey hair, propped up by pillows, reading a magazine, came to mind. In reality, no one was there. I was alone in bed. I was stunned.
[Note: I determined this was not a result of sleep paralysis as I had the freedom to move and speak.]

The next day, I discovered who this elderly woman was. I had been called out to a young lady's basement apartment of an old heritage house, to help cleanse the space. She always felt there was something going on. Unexplained noises, a feeling of illness and dread, and movement heard in her corridor were only some of her experiences. The tenant explained that a few years previously, an elderly woman had passed away of cancer in the bedroom. She had been confined to her bed, and often enjoyed reading magazines to pass the time. It all clicked into place. I described the woman who had visited me. "That's her!" cried the tenant. Certainly the energy of the space was thick, and I could feel (with tingles running down my back) that a spirit energy was with us. I spoke out to the spirit to let her know she would be alright and could now move out of the suite to join her loved ones in her next phase of the afterlife. The tenant and I went about cleansing the space, saying a prayer, and asking the spirit(s) of the home to move on, as now the space belonged to the tenant and her daughter. A few weeks later, the tenant reported that everything felt better and had endured no further occurrences.

Photo by Kati - Heritage Homes in Mole Hill (Mar.02, 2019)

The Man With Many Aliases... (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

We bring you the case of a young man who not only enlisted to fight in World War 1, but led a troubled life before and after. This is our twenty-second blog about the convicts buried at the old B.C. Penitentiary Cemetery in New Westminster, B.C. which was used between 1913 and 1967. The penitentiary closed and was razed in 1980. The cemetery, nicknamed "Boot Hill" most likely by the inmates, survived; and although it was hidden from the public for many decades, today it is accessible; and is believed to be "haunted". It underwent a facelift and now is fashioned with new stones, brambles removed, and has plaques for explanation standing at the southern end of the small acre.

Meet Convict #3448 - Frank Wilson:

Photo by Kati - (lower section, 2nd row from bottom)
taken 2016, January

Wickman or Wichmann? (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

After much research, I bring you the case of a young Vancouver lad who chose to walk the wrong side of life, which put him in federal prison, where he died. This is our twenty-first blog about the convicts buried at Boot Hill Cemetery (nicknamed - properly named the old B.C. Penitentiary Cemetery) in New Westminster, B.C., which had been used between the years of 1913 to 1967, by the B.C. Penitentiary (razed in 1980), one of the toughest Canadian prisons in history.

Meet Convict #9511 - Henry Gordon Wichmann

Photo by Kati - #9511 (east section, middle of 2nd to last row)
taken 2016, January

Assault, Robbery and Manslaughter.. (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

We bring you the case (through newspaper & document records) of a man who grew up in the Fraser Valley area of Greater Vancouver, B.C., found himself in and out of jail, with a final violent crime sending him to Federal Prison. Sadly, his life ended a few years later. This is our twentieth blog about the convicts buried at Boot Hill Cemetery in New Westminster, used between 1913-1967 by the B.C. Penitentiary (razed in 1980), one of the toughest prisons in the Canada.

Meet Convict #6651 - George Wallace

Photo by Kati - #6651 (southeast section, last row, first stone)