For decades, a mysterious pair of spirits—a horse and its rider—have been said to haunt a long-vanished stretch of train track that once cut through the northern expanse of the Great Plains. Some said they were little more than a trick of fog in the moonlight, but that was before human remains were found nearby. Figment or phantom, it’s an excellent piece of folklore from the Canadian west, with ties to a community and a history that’s in danger of being forgotten.This is Part Three in a four-part series called Ghost Town Ghosts which explores the phantoms and spirits once said to haunt Canadian communities that no longer exist. Fireside Canada is a podcast about Canadian legends, lies and lore. Focused on both the storytelling and the historical aspects of folklore, each episode includes a creative retelling or story inspired by the folklore as well as an exploration and analysis of its history and cultural significance: the story behind the story. You can learn more at FiresideCanada.ca. David Williams is the host, writer and researcher behind the show. You can find him on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). 

Would you live in a haunted house if the rent was cheap enough? That was a question that one couple faced in the summer of 1957. Once a rough-and-tumble lumber town, now a drowned town at the bottom of a man-made lake, Waldo, BC is the unexpected location for this classic story about a haunted house that makes us wonder: when the houses are long gone, do the ghosts remain?This is Part Two in a four-part series called Ghost Town Ghosts which explores the phantoms and spirits once said to haunt Canadian communities that no longer exist. Fireside Canada is a podcast about Canadian legends, lies and lore. Focused on both the storytelling and the historical aspects of folklore, each episode includes a creative retelling or story inspired by the folklore as well as an exploration and analysis of its history and cultural significance: the story behind the story. You can learn more at FiresideCanada.ca. David Williams is the host, writer and researcher behind the show. You can find him on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). 

Saint Leonards, Newfoundland, is a community with more than its fair share of ghost stories. Headless dogs are said to wander the abandoned churchyard at night. A phantom ship was seen gliding through the eastern reach. And some believe long ago, an unearthed skull taught the town a powerful lesson about honouring the past, and respecting the dead. Tonight, we unpack the myths, legends and lore of this once-thriving coastal town. This is Part One in a four-part series called Ghost Town Ghosts which explores the phantoms and spirits once said to haunt Canadian communities that no longer exist. Fireside Canada is a podcast about Canadian legends, lies and lore. Focused on both the storytelling and the historical aspects of folklore, each episode includes a creative retelling or story inspired by the folklore as well as an exploration and analysis of its history and cultural significance: the story behind the story. You can learn more at FiresideCanada.ca. David Williams is the host, writer and researcher behind the show. You can find him on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). 

Found in every province and territory of the country, the Canada Jay has inspired countless stories in many different cultures from coast to coast. Hear how this one little bird is a camp companion, a hero, a hunter, a star in the sky, and even a vessel for the souls of the dead. Fireside Canada is a podcast about Canadian legends, lies and lore. Focused on both the storytelling and the historical aspects of folklore, each episode includes a creative retelling or story inspired by the folklore as well as an exploration and analysis of its history and cultural significance: the story behind the story. You can learn more at FiresideCanada.ca. David Williams is the host, writer and researcher behind the show. You can find him on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). 

The story of Anson Minor is a classic campfire tale that has been terrifying Canadian campers for decades. The spooky tale is most commonly heard from the lakeshores and backwoods of Ontario, and while, on the surface, it might seem like any other summer camp legend, this story is special because it can help us understand how urban legends are made, and the nature of summertime scares. So, grab a snack and get cosy to learn all about the Legend of Anson Minor.  Fireside Canada is a podcast about Canadian legends, lies and lore. Focused on both the storytelling and the historical aspects of folklore, each episode includes a creative retelling or story inspired by the folklore as well as an exploration and analysis of its history and cultural significance: the story behind the story. You can learn more at FiresideCanada.ca. David Williams is the host, writer and researcher behind the show. You can find him on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).