Sault Ste. Marie has been home and meeting place for people for thousands of years, long before it was officially founded in 1668. With centuries of people calling this place home, not everyone or everything has remained in the past. From historic hotels and century-old buildings to the streets of downtown, the Soo has no shortage of tales that have sent chills down the spines of locals and visitors alike. These stories have been researched and investigated by the Upper Peninsula Paranormal Research Society (UPPRS, pronounced “Yoopers”), helping preserve some of the Soo’s most fascinating haunted history.
Let’s go on a little spooky journey of our own.
Picture this: it’s a chilly September evening, you’ve got your jacket zipped up tight, a hot chocolate in hand, and you’re wandering through downtown as the last bit of daylight fades away. Now, let’s get into some haunted history.
Our first stop is the Hotel Ojibway. In the lobby, overnight desk receptionists have reported seeing a man in a suit walk by and then suddenly vanish. Many believe the man is Chase Osborn, who donated the land and oversaw the hotel’s construction. Apparently, he still likes to keep an eye on the place.
Head up to the sixth floor, and you just might find your suitcase unpacked for you. Some say Beatrice still helps keep the rooms tidy, and she’s had plenty of time to perfect her routine since her death in 1982. Beatrice and her husband, Leon, purchased the hotel in 1936, and she seems to have never lost her knack for keeping things clean and organized.
Lastly, the dining room has had many reports of cupboard drawers opening and closing on their own and chairs rearranging themselves after closing. During one paranormal investigation, the group requested that any spirit present make itself known. Right at that moment, three pieces of wall décor fell to the floor. Apparently, the ghost was not a fan of the art.
Next, the Pullar. Since 1939, it’s been one of Michigan’s most historic ice rinks and a gathering place for the community, hosting everything from hockey games and figure skating to concerts, dances, and even the circus. Maybe a few liked it so much they decided to stay forever. Rink workers have come in to find chairs sitting in the middle of the ice that definitely weren’t there when they locked up the night before.
Spectators have even reported feeling a hand on their shoulder, only to turn around and find no one there. And of course, the man in the 1970’s style suit, overcoat, and fedora has been seen sitting in the stands, going through doors only to disappear. No one knows who this man was, perhaps a hockey player of teams gone by or a spectator that just likes the historic rink so much he never wanted to leave.
On to Water Street, visitors have seen an odd man in voyageur-style clothing, right down to the stocking hat, and a red sash walking the streets. When they inquire why he is dressed that way, he grumbles; they turn their heads, and he is gone. This is Narcisse. The odd thing about him is that he was not a voyageur at all. He hung around Water Street in the late 1800s, well past the voyageur era. He was a loner whose favorite hobby was going to funerals whether he knew the person or not. He also terrorized the local children who tried to harass him, and he would chase them off with his cane. Today, people have heard the tap tap tap of a cane and turn around to see no one is there. It seems Narcisse is still wandering Water Street, just as he always has.
If ships could talk, the Valley Camp would probably have a few stories to tell. Over the years, the museum ship has hosted numerous paranormal investigations, one even resulting in a piece of coal being thrown at an investigator. Others have reported being touched by an unseen presence, seeing shadowy figures, and recording unexplained voices, the most notable being a deep, gruff male voice.
Built in 1917, the 550-foot freighter spent nearly 50 years sailing the Great Lakes before becoming the floating maritime museum visitors explore today. The museum is also home to both lifeboats from the ill-fated Edmund Fitzgerald and was even featured on Kindred Spirits (Season 7, Episode 3, “Ghost Ships”).
Carnegie Library (EUP ISD Building)
Our final stop takes us to the old Carnegie Library, now home to the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District. The building sits on what was once the Fort Brady cemetery, where soldiers, citizens, and possibly even earlier Native burials once rested. When Fort Brady relocated in 1892, many of the graves were moved to Riverside Cemetery. However, when construction on the library began more than a decade later, workers discovered that not everyone had been relocated.
Maybe that’s why staff have reported books flying from shelves, objects disappearing from desks, and the sounds of small footsteps and children giggling echoing through the building. During an investigation by the Upper Peninsula Paranormal Research Society, the team used electronic devices in an attempt to communicate with the spirit world. One name came through: Seth Newcomb. After searching burial records, investigators discovered that a young boy by that name had, in fact, been buried on the property. Though the cause of his death is unknown, it seems Seth’s spirit may still wander the old library today.
Still looking for more?
If these stories have you wanting to experience the Soo’s haunted history for yourself, you’re in luck. From May through September, the Haunted History Walking Tour takes visitors on a 75-minute, 1.4-mile walk through some of the city’s most historic and haunted locations. If you’d rather experience the paranormal from the water, the Haunted River Boat Tour runs monthly from June through October, sharing even more ghost stories and unexplained encounters from around Sault Ste. Marie. And if you’ve already experienced the Haunted River Boat Tour, keep an eye out for the brand-new Chapter Two Tour coming in 2027, featuring all-new stories from the Yoopernatural team.
Years of research by the Upper Peninsula Paranormal Research Society have also been compiled into two fascinating books: Yoopernatural Haunts, featuring some of their most compelling investigations, and Great Lakes Monsters and Mysteries, exploring the unexplained stories and legends found throughout the Great Lakes region. Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or just love a good story, these books are a great way to dive even deeper into the Soo’s haunted history.
Plan Your Haunted Trip to Sault Ste. Marie
As always, if you’re traveling to the Soo to enjoy the natural (and supernatural) beauty of the area, don’t forget to tag your photographs with #ilovethesoo on your social media so we can share in the adventure. For more stories about the Soo make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest.
