Hillary House National Historic Site
Aurora, Ont.
September 9, 2023

“I’ve always heard the rumors about this place,” Alison shared as we turned down Yonge St. “I never thought back then that I would be investigating it now!” she exclaimed. Alison had grown up in the area and was always interested in the old house, that seemed to have a variety of ghost stories attached to it. She indulged to Rachel, Ryan and Paula about how a woman was reportedly seen in on of the upper windows. “I can’t believe I am actually going to be inside,” Alison said as the team pulled down the little driveway. Sheena, Kaz and Leanne were already there, taking in the marvel of this old Victorian gothic revival style house. The team had officially arrived at the Hillary House National Historical Site.
Built in 1862 for Dr. Walter Geikie, the house would see four prominent doctors and their families live within its walls. Dr. Geikie was a prominent figure in Aurora. He set up his medical practice in 1855. On November 26, 1862 he moved into his new residence and practice. Accompanying him was his wife and their four children. Travelling back and forth to Toronto to teach was starting to take a toll, so in 1869 he and his family moved to the big city. Dr. Frederick Strange saw the house as the perfect location for his practice and moved in that same year (1869). Dr. Strange was know to be quite handsome and tall. His first wife had died two years prior to the move. He remarried a year before moving in. In 1871, Dr. Strange’s daughter (with his first wife), Ethel Kate, died at the age of 4. Dr. Strange and his wife would live in the house until 1876. On the morning of June 5, 1897 Dr. Strange mentioned to his housemaid that he had a headache and went back to bed. Two hours later, Dr. Strange would be dead.
Built in 1862 for Dr. Walter Geikie, the house would see four prominent doctors and their families live within its walls. Dr. Geikie was a prominent figure in Aurora. He set up his medical practice in 1855. On November 26, 1862 he moved into his new residence and practice. Accompanying him was his wife and their four children. Travelling back and forth to Toronto to teach was starting to take a toll, so in 1869 he and his family moved to the big city. Dr. Frederick Strange saw the house as the perfect location for his practice and moved in that same year (1869). Dr. Strange was know to be quite handsome and tall. His first wife had died two years prior to the move. He remarried a year before moving in. In 1871, Dr. Strange’s daughter (with his first wife), Ethel Kate, died at the age of 4. Dr. Strange and his wife would live in the house until 1876. On the morning of June 5, 1897 Dr. Strange mentioned to his housemaid that he had a headache and went back to bed. Two hours later, Dr. Strange would be dead.
In 1876, Dr. Robert William Hillary purchased the house. Along with his wife, Annie, and their seven children, Dr. Hillary would work and live in the house until his death in 1894. His son, Dr. Robert Michael Hillary would then acquire the property from the mortgage holder and continue in his father’s footsteps. Dr. R.M. Hillary and his wife, Edith, married in 1895. They would have nine children in total. When the first world war erupted, Dr. R.M. Hillary joined the war effort as a medical officer. His oldest son, Robert Stuart Hillary, also joined the war effort. In June of 1917, Robert Stuart Hillary would die of his wounds overseas – he was badly injured days before the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Dr. R.M. Hillary also suffered injuries related to war. Soon after returning home, he retired from his medical practice. Eventually the house would be passed down to Edith Nora Hillary, his fourth child (third daughter). Nora lived in the house until she no longer could. It was then donated to the Aurora Historical Society and turned into the museum and National Historic Site that it is today.
We were greeted by Selin, our host for the evening, who led us to the second floor Ballroom. This would be base, and where we would get ourselves ready. Selin then gave the team a tour of the house. It was fascinating and informative. While most of the information pertains to the last family that lived there, it seemed that the house had more to say. Once our tour was completed, the team went back to base and gather equipment. It was decided that the team would split into two groups. One group would focus on the first floor, the second group would remain on the upper floor. Leanne, Kaz and Paula headed to the first floor, while Rachel, Sheena and Ryan remained on the upper floor. Alison was floating around between both with the SLS camera, in the hopes of capturing something.
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It was now time to go Live. Check out the video below to see what happened!
Our time at the Hillary House was coming to an end. We packed up our equipment and said goodbye to the house and Selin. We were blown away by the amazing communication we had received. “I still can’t believe I finally got to go in,” said Alison as the team headed back down Yonge St. “I can’t wait to go back,” added Rachel.
Is the Hillary House National Historic Site haunted? We definitely believe that there are a couple spirits that still call the place home. We most certainly believe that Dr. Strange is the most prominent energy still residing in the home, and the one that seems to be the most active. Dr. Robert William Hillary is also present. There is also a female and child, though we are unsure where they may fit within the history.
For more information and to plan your visit to the Hillary House National Historic Site, visit their website at: https://aurorahs.com/
Is the Hillary House National Historic Site haunted? We definitely believe that there are a couple spirits that still call the place home. We most certainly believe that Dr. Strange is the most prominent energy still residing in the home, and the one that seems to be the most active. Dr. Robert William Hillary is also present. There is also a female and child, though we are unsure where they may fit within the history.
For more information and to plan your visit to the Hillary House National Historic Site, visit their website at: https://aurorahs.com/