http://www.insidehalton.com/community/article/1320434--paranormal-activity-found-at-town-hall-says-group

Paranormal activity found at Town Hall, says group

Paranormal activity found at Town Hall, says group. Halton Paranormal Group were called in to investigate the Milton Town Hall after staff there reported numerous strange experiences that could not be explained. Here, Leah Hurst-Lywood (left) and Kim Hadfield get their instruments read to test for paranormal activity. Special to the Milton Champion/James Hoggett

Kimberley Valstar and Kim Hadfield believe there are deceased people trying to communicate with others inside Milton Town Hall.

The Milton residents, who run the non-profit Halton Paranormal Group, carried out an investigation at Town Hall earlier this month.

Hadfield said she had heard about strange occurrences in the old section of Town Hall such as lights going on and off, a chill when entering rooms like a basement room made of cement, and a general feeling of being “creeped out” in certain rooms.

Especially eerie for the group is the old courtroom, which overlooks the courtyard where two hangings took place many years ago.

“We definitely felt a heaviness in the hallways and up the banisters leading upstairs,” Valstar said.

Part of the current Milton Town Hall was originally built in 1855 and served as the County Court House. A jail and prison yard was built in 1877. All trials in Halton were held there, and three of the trials involved hangings, according to the Milton Historical Society.

In 1858, Thomas Corner was hanged publicly for the murder of two women. In 1862, Edward Keenan was hanged for the murder of his mother. It was the last public hanging to take place in Milton.

In 1883, Michael O’Rourke was hanged within the jail for the murder of a man and his daughter.

The Town of Milton purchased the building from Halton Region in 1985, and it became the Town Hall. It has since undergone an expansion.

Hadfield said while examing photographs and video shot during their Town Hall investigation, the group heard things including a male voice, faint banging noises and shuffling and humming while two associates are speaking.

Valstar said the television network A&E, which broadcasts Ghost Story, has been in touch with the Halton Paranormal Group in hopes of doing a story on the investigation.

To watch video footage of the investigation, visit the paranormal investigators’ website videos .