(Published with permission from Discover Saint John)
Saint John’s streets are alive with history, but it’s the whispers of the past that truly capture the imagination. Beneath the surface of this historic port city lies a world of eerie legends, sordid battles, and ghostly encounters waiting to be uncovered.
Dare to explore the haunted side of Saint John?
Disclaimer: While this blog is meant for entertainment purposes and the ghost stories are all speculation, the historical facts provided for each location are true and may be upsetting to some due to the nature of the content.
Three Sisters Lamp Post – The Waiting Sisters
St. Patrick Park, Saint John
Nestled along the shores of Saint John, the Three Sisters Lamp Post has long been a source of intrigue and legend, playing a vital role as a nautical tool for navigators. Strategically positioned in line with the steeple of Trinity Church, the Three Sisters Lamp served as a beacon of safety for sea captains seeking to enter the harbour after dark. The three red gas lamps, visible from three miles out to sea, were stationed at the end of Prince William Street, casting their glow over the water. If the three red lamps were visible at once, sailors knew they were on a direct course into the harbour; however, if only one or two could be seen, sailors knew they needed to alter their course.
Spooky Speculations: Though no one knows for sure how the Three Sisters Lamp received its title, legend has it that it was named for a group of sisters who waited daily by the shore for their sea-faring husbands to come home. Through calm days and stormy nights, the sisters waited with lanterns in hand, but their husbands never returned. Some believe the sisters never gave up waiting, and their spirits continue to wander the harbourfront, waiting for ships that will never sail home. Though no one has ever seen the sisters themselves, the lanterns serve as a haunting reminder of their loves lost to the sea.
