A group of paranormal investigators has brought new attention to Wolseley’s historic courthouse after spending two nights searching for unexplained activity inside.
Canadian Paranormal Expeditions posted its visit as a two-part YouTube series in September. Founded by Brad Monks, Canadian Paranormal Expeditions has about 15 members. The group investigates buildings across Canada, using recording equipment to document what could be unexplained phenomena.
Built between 1893 and 1895, the Wolseley courthouse is a provincial heritage property and Saskatchewan’s oldest surviving courthouse. It is also the only remaining courthouse from the province’s territorial period, reflecting the town’s importance during early settlement.
James Cooper, a member of the group for three years, said the courthouse’s history was a major reason for the visit.
“Whenever we look for locations, we usually look for anything with decent history, you know, backstories, anything like that,” Cooper said.
Monks previously investigated the courthouse, but the group returned with improved equipment after finding limited results the first time.
Cooper said the group’s equipment had improved since the earlier investigation, allowing members to document more unexplained sounds and movements.
During the two-night investigation, members used cameras, digital voice recorders, motion sensors, and electromagnetic field detectors to search the building for possible activity.
Cooper said the group invites spirits to interact with its equipment before asking questions and listening for responses.
“So we ask the spirit to come forward and come join us, and we explain what our equipment does, and that they don’t have to be afraid,” he said. “They can come interact with us, and we try and ask questions and stay quiet and see if we get responses.”
Cooper described the courthouse as moderately active compared with other locations the group has visited.
“It’s a fairly active location,” he said, adding that investigations he would rate nine or 10 out of 10 are rare.
Wolseley Mayor Gerald Hill, however, said he does not believe the courthouse is haunted. He described the ghost stories as a fun part of the town’s history.
The group operates as a hobby rather than a professional paranormal investigation service, with members paying their own expenses.
“We’re just a hobby group. We all put our own money into this and go around and do it because we love it,” Cooper said.
Canadian Paranormal Expeditions also conducts public investigations to raise funds. Participating museums and other locations sell tickets, allowing visitors to try the group’s equipment while raising money for the host organization.
The investigation also gave members an opportunity to explore Wolseley during the day. Cooper said the group visited the town’s suspension bridge and ate at local restaurants during its stay.
Wolseley’s courthouse operated for approximately 15 years before legal proceedings moved to Moosomin in 1909. After closing as a courthouse, the building continued to serve the community. It was used as a North-West Mounted Police jail, a detention home for boys and then a part of Lakeside Nursing Home.
The courthouse is also architecturally significant. According to the Canadian Register of Historic Places, Thomas Fuller, chief Dominion architect, designed the building, and R.A. Magee and E.A. Banbury constructed it.
Built from brick and fieldstone, the courthouse features Georgian architectural influences, including a symmetrical layout, a hipped roof and evenly arranged windows. Other features reflecting its former use include basement jail cells, wood moldings, a wood-frame porch and a cupola.
The courthouse stands at the corner of Ouimet and Richmond streets, near the entrance to Wolseley’s swinging bridge.
