by Jessica Knapp

“Winnipeg stands very high among the places we have visited for its psychic possibilities.” — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

It is no surprise that Matthew Komus, who developed Winnipeg’s Ghost Walk in 2007, has just completed his first book, entitled Haunted Winnipeg. His book features 20 different haunted heritage sites throughout the city, including the popular Fort Garry Hotel, King’s Head Pub, and the Legislative Building.

“It is about taking some of the legends and seeing which ones were based on fact,” says Matthew Komus when describing which stories to include in his book.

Komus has meticulously researched the history of these sites, as well as the reports of supernatural activity from the city’s earliest recordings to now. As Komus mentions in the beginning of Haunted Winnipeg, “…when Winnipeg was only a few years old there were already reports of ghost stories and haunted buildings appearing in the local newspapers.”

Newspapers and oral histories remain the primary sources for Komus’ research, as well as heritage designation reports. Heritage designation reports are excellent resources for researchers as they provide intricate details of the building throughout its history, including the construction, damages, and renovations. All of which potentially reveal the reasoning for supernatural disturbances.

Komus does not feature himself as a mystery solving character from a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story; instead he provides the context and the unique happenings of these heritage sites, and then leaves continued exploration at the hands of his readers.

“There is a historical base for all the ghost stories, which makes Haunted Winnipeg a bit different from other ghost books,” said Komus.

Haunted Winnipeg explores a vast selection of heritage sites, from haunted houses, hotels, and theatres to museums, businesses, and institutions. Without a doubt, if you find yourself exploring Winnipeg you will pass by one of these spooky sites. Whether you are spending the night here in Winnipeg, grabbing a pint, or seeing a show you have many opportunities to catch a glimpse or feel the presence of much more than you paid for.

Haunted Winnipeg will be available October 29th, 2014 at McNally Robinson. Be sure to call your local bookshop to see if they have it in stock too.