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Strange but true tales of a ghost who's made a historical downtown building
his home. Don't scoff. He exists. Just ask the Girly Ghostbusters. Not
everybody remembers who first who first named the ghost Harvey. Harvey lives,
if that's the right word, at 121 Hughson Street N., in a nondescript building
that has, over the years, housed the Sons of England (in 1916 as the first tenant
of record), and several other fraternal benevolent organizations, two insurance
companies, both dance and photographic studios - at separate times - the Unemployment
Insurance Commission, a spice factory and churches of several denominations including
Catholic and Hindu. In 1980 the 121 Cafe took up residence and the building has
been a bar ever since. Today it is home to the Werx, and considering that site's
current use, it seems fair to ask, is it the spirit of Harvey that haunts the
bar or the spirits of Johnny Walker, Jack Daniels and their pal Jim Beam? It's
almost certain that Harvey is not the specter's real name, but nobody knows for
certain because his history cannot be confirmed. It is whispered that he was once
the custodian who lived in a small room at the back of the main floor. Injured
in a fire in the building, he later died at Hamilton General Hospital about a
kilometer away. The distance meant nothing because he's back at 121 Hughson as
if he never left. Rob McConnell has no problem believing that Harvey's in
residence. He's been interested in the paranormal since childhood., when he saw
what he describes as a flying cigar-shaped object - which was definitely unidentified.
Now, more than 40 years later, McConnell is considered one of southwestern Ontario's
foremost experts in the paranormal. He's host and executive producer of The 'X'
Zone Radio/Television Show as well as president of Ghost Tours of Canada. McConnell
has also narrated segments of Creepy Canada, the Discovery Network's excursion
into the paranormal, as he knows a thing or two about hauntings. "Do I believe?
I certainly do. Have I ever seen a ghost, unfortunately not." "There
are so many theories out there on what a ghost is," he explains. "Some
people believe it's a magnetic imprint in time. Other people believe it is somebody
who was taken without finishing their earthly mission. Still others feel ghosts
come back to console those they've left behind. There are so many hypotheses out
there, but there are no facts." So why does McConnell believe spooks
like Harvey actually exist? "It's just another part of the multi-dimensional
world we live in. This si just a theory, the sighting of a spirit could be the
transition from one dimension into the other." Just because eh has
an open mind does not mean McConnell is gullible enough to put stake in every
story he's heard. The paranormal is a heyday for those who want to make a quick
buck. There are many less-then-credible people out there charging phenomenal amounts
to go in and exorcise your house of ghosts. The paranormal is also a very strong
marketing tool. I don't know how many places in Niagara-on-the-Lake use spirits
to bring customers in."
End
of the story with Rob McConnell. | 
