It's hard to say for sure. The tales of haunted places in St Ives could be a combination of real - life oddities and people's overactive imaginations. Maybe there were strange noises in an old building due to its dilapidated state, but people attributed it to ghosts. Or perhaps some stories were made up to add mystery to the town's history. So, while some elements could be real - event - inspired, it's not conclusive.
There's a story in St Ives about a ghostly woman in white. She is often spotted on the cliff paths. Legend has it that she was waiting for her lover to return from the sea, but he never came back, and now she haunts the area. Also, in an old inn in St Ives, there are tales of a poltergeist - like activity. Glasses move on their own and cold spots are felt in certain areas of the inn.
No, I don't think they are real. Ghost stories are often just tales made up to spook people or to keep the local folklore alive. There's no scientific evidence to support the existence of ghosts in St Charles or anywhere else for that matter.
Another is the St. Louis City Hospital. After it was abandoned, there were numerous reports of apparitions in the hallways. Some say they've seen the ghosts of patients who passed away there. The desolate and once - busy halls now seem to hold the memories and spirits of those who were treated there long ago.
The scariest might be the La Diablesse story. The idea of a half - beautiful, half - devilish woman luring men to their doom in the forest is really terrifying. Just imagine being a man walking alone in the forest and suddenly seeing this alluring figure, not knowing the horror that awaits.
Yes, there is a story where a group of thieves tried to steal from a St Nicholas church. As they entered at night, they saw a glowing figure that they thought was St Nicholas. They were so frightened that they dropped their tools and ran away. This story has been passed down for generations.
One of the St Charles Ghost Stories might be about a spectral figure seen in an old mansion. Maybe it's a lady in white who haunts the attic, said to be the ghost of a former resident who died under mysterious circumstances.
In St Catharines, there's a story about a haunted forest. Hikers have reported seeing a figure in a long black cloak gliding between the trees. They say it emits a cold, eerie feeling. Some believe it's an ancient spirit that has always been in the forest and doesn't like intruders. It's so scary because the forest is usually so quiet and peaceful, and then suddenly this strange apparition appears.
Some St John ghost stories may have originated from real tragedies. For example, shipwrecks were common around St John, and the deaths of sailors could have led to the creation of ghost tales as a way for people to cope with the loss and the mystery of the sea.
The religious history of St Andrews also plays a part. With the cathedral being a center of religious life for so long, the idea of the monk's ghost could come from the strong spiritual energy that was once there. When the cathedral declined, perhaps the spirits of those devoted to it remained. And the superstitions and beliefs of the local people over the years have helped to keep these stories alive and evolving.