Haunted Ontario 3-Book Bundle. Terry Boyle

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      The Jester’s Court Inn as it appears today.

      Imagine for a moment, this hotel as it once was — a two-storey wooden structure with white lace curtains flowing in the window breezes, a genteel lifestyle long-forgotten. Enter by the front door and see the large main foyer graced by an elaborate oak staircase leading to the second floor. To the right is the elegant dining area which overlooks a sparkling stream and the main street. A parlour is located to the left where the amazing price of 25 cents fetches a gallon of whiskey. As evening approaches, the hotel staff routinely lights the candles on the tables and on some of the window sills.

      A young couple, here for the night, are seated at the far end of the dining room overlooking the street. They converse with an elderly female staff member with bright eyes and greying hair. A white cotton apron hangs to her ankles. Her job is to welcome guests and to serve them delicious meals. Her smile is genuine and infectious. A single candle flame illuminates the moment.

      A young girl plays on the staircase landing with some imaginary friend, all the while taking in the activity around her. She thrives on the bustle of the hotel but somehow she is unnoticed by those around her. Perhaps she is the daughter of the hotelkeeper. The confectionary store in the same building offers a host of merchandise. No doubt the little girl in the hotel craves some of these sweets.

      The first building on the site was built by a mason, James Good, who erected a workshop and residence on the property in 1859. He sold the property to Daniel Ireland in 1865 and he turned the building into a hotel.

      At the time, Port Perry was a going concern. In 1871 the community received a major boost when the Port Whitby to Port Perry railroad was completed. Additional surveys of lots had been made, property greatly increased in value, and large additions were planned to meet the demands of rapidly-growing businesses. Hotel owners were delighted by the development. What could possibly happen to halt this progress? Fire!

      Two fires in less than a year destroyed the Port Perry business section. The first fire broke out in the Thompson House, then known as Ruddy’s Hotel, in November 1883. Except for one small hand engine, there was no fire extinguishing equipment. Most of the buildings were wood frame and the fire spread quickly. From Ruddy’s Hotel corner along the north side of Queen Street, the fire spread to McCaw’s Jewelry store and everything was burned. With winter fast-approaching little was done toward rebuilding, and what the fire of 1883 missed, the fire of 1884 did not.

      At 20 minutes to 12:00 p.m. on July 3, 1884, a large fire started in the sheds of Ben McQuay’s hotel, which stood on the site of the present-day post office. By daylight, every place of business on the main street was in cinders with the exception of William Tummond’s store and this hotel, then owned by Daniel Ireland.

      The community rallied to face the devastation of its town. A shortage of nails and building supplies contributed to a slow start. In time, however, life continued as it had prior to these two incredible fires. Meanwhile, Daniel Ireland’s hotel maintained its services to the town.

      Its time was to come, however, and tragedy struck one winter evening when a fire began in the adjoining confectionery store. The fire brigade quickly responded to the emergency. In the attempt to save the hotel, one firefighter, Joseph DeShane, was struck down and pinned by burning timbers. Although the crew came to the rescue quickly, Joseph sustained severe injuries. One eye and half of his face was severely disfigured for life. In a few hours there were but ashes and charred stone foundation remaining.

      Downtown Port Perry after the horrific fire. The building in the background is one of the only ones that remained standing.

      Downtown Port Perry, facing east, after rebuilding at the turn of the century. The building located at the end of the row was one of the few to survive the fire.

      No newspaper accounts of the fire are to be found — as a result of yet another fire in the newspaper office which destroyed several years of newspaper files forever. No one is left to tell the story of this tragic hotel fire. Had any guest or hotel workers died that night? Will we ever know? For many years the property remained vacant, the old foundation hidden from view by vegetation.

      After the fire, Daniel Ireland sold the property to Andy Campbell who built a carpentry shop on the land. In 1913 James Carnegie purchased the property from Campbell, tore down the workshop and built a new, two-storey, red-brick house the following year using the old foundation for the new home. James and Louisa Murray bought the house from Carnegie and the dwelling became known as the Murray House. The Murrays raised a large family there. James was the manager of the Osler Estate south of the causeway. The Murrays left one day, as people do, and in the 1950s a man with the same last name rented the house. He had three children who all slept in one bedroom.

      The first reported ghost sightings occurred in the house at this time. Apparently, an elderly female ghost would check in on the children at night. She was a benevolent presence and the children felt very comfortable with her. The youngsters saw her on several occasions and openly referred to her as their night visitor. The Murray family eventually moved out of the house.

      In 1979 the Murray house became a tea shop and restaurant and the property once again became a festive centre in Port Perry. Was history repeating itself? Rumours of ghosts began to circulate around town during this period. Had the first Murray family kept the haunting a secret or were they unaware of the spirits in their home?

      Carol Morrow and Peter Kirk operated the establishment and subsequently sold it to Whitney and Mark Freeman. The Freemans were unaware of hauntings upon purchase, but not for long!

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