Apparently Dorothea Mae Elliott’s ghost haunts the second floor of Toronto’s Hockey Hall Of Fame. In fact, some people refuse to go up to the second floor after 6:00pm — and never alone…
The iconic Hockey Hall Of Fame, located in the heart of downtown Toronto at the corner of Yonge and Front Streets, is a shrine to the greats of the game. Within its hallowed walls, you’ll find exhibits dedicated to legends like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and many more. However, some visitors and employees have whispered about a different kind of visitor, those from the spirit realm.
For more than 50 years a ghost known as “Dorothy” has haunted the Hockey Hall Of Fame. But is there any truth to these claims? Let’s delve into the mysterious tales associated with this renowned Canadian institution.
The Building’s Past
Before it became the Hockey Hall Of Fame, the building (located at 30 Yonge Street, Toronto) was originally a Bank of Montreal branch, built in 1885. With such a long history, it’s not unusual for older buildings to have tales of ghostly encounters associated with them. Regardless, the primary ghost story associated with the Hockey Hall Of Fame in Toronto is about Dorothy, a rumoured former bank teller with long, dark hair.
The Legend of Dorothy
The most widely circulated story is of a woman named Dorothea “Dorothy” Mae Elliott who was 19 years old when she allegedly worked at the Bank of Montreal during the early part of the 20th century. As the story goes, Dorothy was involved in a romantic relationship that ended tragically, leading her to take her own life within the bank’s vault. She shot herself inside of the bank early in the morning of Wednesday March 11, 1953 and then died 22 hours later at St. Michael’s Hospital, which is just a few blocks away.
Some versions of the tale claim she was jilted by a lover, while others suggest a more complicated love triangle was at play.
According to Rowena Brook, the brand development manager of Haunted Walks in Toronto, bank workers began experiencing strange happenings shortly after Dorothy’s death.
“Starting in the 1950s, employees of the bank would have lights that would turn on and off,” Brook said. “Doors and windows would open and close on their own. They would hear these strange noises like footsteps when no one was around, or shrieking. Some employees would step away from their work for a moment and they would come back and find their desk in disarray.
“But the main thing they said is they would feel this distinct presence, like someone else there watching them. Just that feeling that there was someone else there. And the spot it was strongest was actually in the women’s [bathroom] on the second floor of the bank. It got to this point where the employees who were using that restroom were so uncomfortable being in there that the bank had to put a second [bathroom] in the basement because so many people were refusing to use it.”
The bank ultimately moved, but the strange occurrences remained when The Hockey Hall Of Fame took over the space. Formerly housed at Exhibition Place, the Hall Of Fame moved to its current building in 1993. Today visitors and staff members at the Hall Of Fame continue to report unusual experiences that they attribute to Dorothy’s spirit. These include:
Cold Spots: Certain areas of the building, especially near the old bank vault, are said to get unexplainably cold.
Apparitions: Some have claimed to see a woman in period clothing wandering the hallways or standing near the vault.
Disembodied Voices: Whispers, muffled conversations, and even occasional cries have been heard, with no clear source.
Unexplained Events: Items moving on their own, lights flickering, and doors shutting without reason are among the many odd occurrences reported.
Skeptical Views
Skeptics argue that the stories of Dorothy are a blend of urban legend and the natural human tendency to find patterns in the unknown. Old buildings, like the one housing the Hockey Hall Of Fame, often have irregular temperature zones due to outdated or uneven insulation. Similarly, reflections, drafts, and sounds from the bustling city outside might be misinterpreted as supernatural occurrences by an overactive imagination.
Still, whether you’re a believer in the paranormal or a staunch skeptic, the stories surrounding the Hockey Hall Of Fame add an extra layer of intrigue to an already fascinating institution. The Hall doesn’t necessarily promote its haunted history, but it doesn’t deny it either making the tales of Dorothy and other potential spirits entertaining anecdotes to share during a visit. Regardless of the veracity of these ghostly claims, the Hockey Hall Of Fame remains a must-visit for hockey enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Just remember, if you feel a sudden chill or catch a fleeting glimpse of a figure in the corner of your eye, you might just have had a brush with the Hall’s most ethereal resident.
