Clubbed to Death! (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

This next instalment (our eleventh!) of our investigation into the convicts of Boot Hill Cemetery situated above the Glenbrooke Ravine trail in New Westminster, in an unmarked, overgrown acre surrounded by tall trees in which crows sit, carries harrowing details. The cemetery was used for convicts of the old B.C. Penitentiary (closed in 1980), known for it's riots and murders.

This true story is of a heinous and gruesome crime, one witnessed by a child.

Meet Convict #5603 - Stephen Poole

Photo by Kati - Convict #5603 (top section - northwest)

Capital Murder at Age 18! (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

We bring you the tenth story of our series about the convicts buried at Boot Hill Cemetery, the small plot of land used for prisoners (maintained by inmates & 1913-1968) from the BC Penitentiary (aka "The Pen, closed in the 1980's), overlooking the Fraser River.
As the cemetery is unmarked to this day, I wonder how many people walk by believing it's just an unused piece of land. I have witnessed walkers with their dogs pooping on the grass, but they never stay long. Crows sit in the trees surrounding the land, squawking loudly as people try to enter the sacred space.

Meet Convict #2938 - Reginald John Colpitts:

Photo by Kati - Convict #2938 (top section - northwest)

Return to BC Penitentiary Cemetery & Mr. Thompson... (Convict Interred at Boot Hill)

Hello Friends!

The B.C. Penitentiary cemetery, known as Boot Hill by the inmates of the institution, came into existence in 1913 yet may have been used as early as 1912. The last unclaimed body of a convict from the "Pen" was interred in 1968. It's situated across the Glenbrook Ravine and up the hill, across from where the old prison once stood.
For more information, please check out our 2013 Blog of Boot Hill.

At the end of March, it felt the time had come to revisit the forgotten cemetery, and with the good weather finally upon us, it was perfect timing. Boot Hill is now accessible by a cemented foot path due to new construction nearby. A hi-rise has been built directly across from it (to the south), and soon another one is going up to the west. This has me wondering if its neighbours are experiencing an influx of paranormal activity.

Boot Hill Cemetery - looking north towards the Ravine below. Photo-VSPI©

Visit to Alcatraz

From the moment we landed on the island of Alcatraz, I knew there was something special about this place. Anyone can feel the energy swirling, if they truly pay attention to their body's reactions; however, a lot of anticipation on the cruise over to the island may cause a range of emotions. This being said, I had to be sure that what I was feeling wasn't because of excitement brewing. I shook it off and with my wife, Lesli, we looked around, paid $1 USD for a map of the Island, and made a plan of what areas to visit on our ascent to the top of the island where the famous Main Cell House stands.

Building 64 - Military Housing then Prison Residences