Last Updated: December 24, 2025
Behind the stone walls of one of Ottawa’s most striking Victorian buildings lies a dark past of executions, suffering, and supernatural encounters—and today, you can sleep there.
The Ottawa Jail Hostel stands as one of Canada’s most unusual accommodations, offering guests the chance to spend the night in an authentic 19th-century prison cell. What is now HI Ottawa Jail operated as the Carleton County Gaol from 1862 to 1972, witnessing over a century of incarceration, including the execution of Patrick Whelan, the man convicted of assassinating Father of Confederation Thomas D’Arcy McGee. The building’s dark history and Victorian architecture have made it a magnet for ghost hunters and history enthusiasts alike, earning its designation as a National Historic Site of Canada.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: The Ottawa Jail Hostel, originally Carleton County Gaol, operated as a prison from 1862-1972. Eight people were hanged here, including Patrick Whelan. Now a hostel, guests sleep in converted cells while Death Row and solitary confinement areas remain preserved. It’s widely considered one of Canada’s most haunted buildings and offers ghost tours year-round.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Built | 1862 |
| 📅 Operated as Jail | 1862-1972 (110 years) |
| ⚖️ Executions | 8 hangings on site |
| 👻 Status | One of Canada’s most haunted buildings |
| 🛏️ Now | HI Ottawa Jail Hostel |
| 📍 Location | 75 Nicholas Street, Ottawa |
| 💰 Cost | From $40/night for dorm beds |
The Birth of Carleton County Gaol: Victorian Justice Takes Shape
When Ottawa was selected as Canada’s capital in 1857, the rapidly growing city needed proper facilities to house criminals awaiting trial and serving sentences. The Carleton County Gaol, designed by architect Henry Horsey, opened its heavy iron doors in 1862—just five years before Confederation would transform the young nation.
The building exemplifies Victorian institutional architecture at its most imposing. Constructed from locally quarried limestone, the jail features thick walls designed to contain prisoners while projecting authority and permanence. The design followed the “Auburn system” popular in 19th-century corrections, which emphasized silence, strict discipline, and solitary confinement as tools for prisoner reformation.
Horsey’s design included innovations considered progressive for the era: individual cells rather than communal holding areas, designated exercise yards, and separation of different classes of prisoners. Yet these improvements did little to soften the harsh realities of Victorian-era incarceration. Cells measured roughly eight feet by three feet—barely large enough for a cot. Heating was minimal, sanitation primitive, and discipline swift and often brutal.
The jail’s location on Nicholas Street placed it deliberately close to the Courthouse, allowing prisoners easy transfer for trials and sentencing. This proximity to justice would prove tragically convenient for those condemned to hang, as executions took place in the jail’s courtyard within sight of the very court that sealed their fate.
A House of Horrors: Life Inside the Walls
Daily existence within Carleton County Gaol tested the limits of human endurance. Prisoners faced grueling conditions that modern sensibilities would consider torture. The cells, which today’s hostel guests find quaint if cramped, held men and women in near-total isolation for 23 hours daily.
The solitary confinement cells, located in the jail’s basement, represented the ultimate punishment. These windowless stone chambers, measuring just a few feet in each direction, held prisoners in complete darkness for days or weeks. The psychological toll was devastating. Guards could not hear screams from below, and prisoners emerged broken in body and spirit.
Disease spread readily through the overcrowded facility. Tuberculosis, typhoid, and other illnesses claimed lives regularly. Medical care was rudimentary at best. Those who died in custody were buried in unmarked graves, their identities often lost to history.
Women prisoners, housed separately from men, faced their own horrors. Many were incarcerated for crimes of poverty—petty theft, vagrancy, prostitution. Some arrived pregnant and gave birth in their cells. Children born within the prison walls knew no other existence until released with their mothers.
The “bucket system” for sanitation meant prisoners lived with the stench of human waste constantly present. Bathing was infrequent. Food was minimal: thin gruel, stale bread, and occasional meat of questionable quality. Malnutrition weakened prisoners, making them more susceptible to the diseases circulating through the facility.
The Gallows Shadow: Executions at Carleton County Gaol
Eight men met their deaths on the gallows within Carleton County Gaol’s walls. These public spectacles drew crowds of onlookers eager to witness the ultimate penalty. The most infamous execution—and the one that forever linked the jail to Canadian political history—was that of Patrick James Whelan on February 11, 1869.
Thomas D’Arcy McGee, one of the Fathers of Confederation, was assassinated on April 7, 1868, shot in the back of the head as he returned home from a late session of Parliament. The killing shocked the young nation. McGee had been instrumental in bringing about Confederation and was beloved as an orator and statesman.
Patrick Whelan, a Fenian sympathizer, was arrested and charged with the murder. The trial captivated the nation. Whelan proclaimed his innocence throughout, and evidence against him remained largely circumstantial. Many historians today believe he may not have pulled the trigger, though his Fenian connections and known animosity toward McGee made him a convenient target for authorities determined to solve the high-profile case.
The execution drew the largest crowd in Ottawa’s history to that point—an estimated 5,000 people gathered outside the jail. Whelan reportedly maintained his composure on the gallows, declaring “God save Ireland” before the trapdoor fell. His body was buried in an unmarked grave in the jail’s courtyard, where it remained until 1869 when it was quietly moved to Notre-Dame Cemetery.
The Whelan execution remains controversial. In 2002, a formal campaign sought a posthumous pardon, arguing that modern legal standards would never have convicted him. While the pardon was ultimately denied, the case continues to fascinate historians and visitors who tour the jail’s death row.
From Prison to Hostel: An Unlikely Transformation
The Carleton County Gaol closed in 1972 when prisoners were transferred to newer facilities. For years, the building sat empty, its future uncertain. Proposals ranged from demolition to conversion into office space. The jail’s historical significance and stunning architecture ultimately saved it.
In 1973, the building received designation as a National Historic Site of Canada, recognizing its importance to Ottawa’s heritage and its exceptional Victorian institutional architecture. The designation provided protection but not a purpose.
The transformation into a hostel began in the 1970s when Hostelling International Canada recognized the building’s potential. Converting a prison into accommodation required creativity and careful preservation. The original cell blocks were maintained, with cells converted into dormitory rooms. Death Row and solitary confinement areas were left largely unchanged, serving as museum spaces for tours.
Today, guests booking into HI Ottawa Jail choose from former cells converted into private rooms or dormitory-style accommodation. The iron bars remain on cell doors. The original stone walls, scarred with prisoner graffiti dating back over a century, surround sleeping guests. It is, without question, one of the most unusual accommodations in Canada.
The hostel attracts a diverse crowd: backpackers seeking cheap central accommodation, history enthusiasts eager to experience the past, and ghost hunters hoping for supernatural encounters. Many guests report that the experience is both fascinating and unsettling—falling asleep behind bars that once held condemned men requires a certain mindset.
Ghosts Behind Bars: Paranormal Activity and Tours
The Ottawa Jail Hostel has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most haunted buildings. Staff and guests have reported unexplained phenomena for decades: cell doors opening and closing on their own, footsteps in empty corridors, cold spots that defy explanation, and shadowy figures glimpsed in peripheral vision.
The eighth floor, which housed Death Row, generates the most reports. Guests sleeping in the cells where condemned men spent their final nights often describe feelings of being watched, unexplained sounds, and disturbing dreams. Some have reported waking to find their belongings moved or their cell doors inexplicably open.
Patrick Whelan’s ghost reportedly haunts the building, particularly the area near where he was hanged. Staff have documented instances of guests asking about “the man in old-fashioned clothing” seen walking the corridors—a figure matching descriptions of Victorian-era dress. Whether these are genuine supernatural encounters or the power of suggestion in an atmospheric setting remains debated.
The hostel capitalizes on its haunted reputation with regular ghost tours that explore the building’s darkest corners. The “Haunted Walk of Ottawa” includes the jail on its route, with guides sharing tales of executions, suffering, and spectral encounters. Tours visit Death Row, the solitary confinement cells, and the gallows area, providing historical context alongside ghost stories.
The building has been featured on paranormal television programs, including investigations by ghost hunting teams who reported unusual electromagnetic readings and unexplained audio phenomena. Skeptics attribute such experiences to the building’s age, stone construction creating acoustic anomalies, and the psychological impact of sleeping in a place with such dark history.
Visiting the Ottawa Jail Hostel: What to Expect
Staying at HI Ottawa Jail offers an experience unlike any other accommodation in Canada. The building retains much of its original character while providing modern amenities expected by travellers. Understanding what awaits helps guests prepare for their unique night behind bars.
Accommodation options range from small dormitory rooms (converted cells sleeping four to eight guests) to private rooms for couples or solo travellers wanting more space. Original features remain: the thick limestone walls, iron cell doors, and narrow windows that once prevented escape now provide atmospheric sleeping quarters.
Modern additions include comfortable beds, clean linens, shared bathrooms with hot showers, a common kitchen for guests, and Wi-Fi throughout. The contrast between 19th-century architecture and 21st-century conveniences creates a surreal experience.
Tours of the unoccupied historical areas run regularly. These explore Death Row, solitary confinement cells, and the eighth floor where condemned prisoners spent their final nights. Guides share stories of specific prisoners, execution details, and reported paranormal activity. The tours provide context that enriches the overnight experience.
The hostel’s central location on Nicholas Street places guests within easy walking distance of Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market, and the Rideau Canal. It serves as an excellent base for exploring Ottawa’s historic sites while offering its own compelling history.
Architectural Significance: A Victorian Landmark
The Ottawa Jail Hostel represents one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian institutional architecture in Canada. Henry Horsey’s design combined functional requirements with aesthetic ambitions that went beyond mere utility.
The building’s limestone construction draws from local quarries, connecting the structure to Ottawa’s geological heritage. The stone walls, some over three feet thick, were designed for security but also provided excellent thermal mass, keeping interiors cool in summer and retaining heat in winter.
Victorian architects believed institutional buildings should project authority through their appearance. The jail’s imposing facade, featuring arched windows, decorative stonework, and commanding proportions, served psychological as well as practical purposes. Prisoners entering through the main doors understood immediately the power of the institution that now controlled their lives.
The interior layout followed correctional theories of the era. The cell block design allowed guards to surveil multiple levels from central positions. Exercise yards provided controlled outdoor access. The separation of prisoner classes—by gender, age, and offence severity—reflected Victorian beliefs about moral contamination and reformation potential.
As a National Historic Site, the building benefits from preservation requirements that maintain its historical integrity. Repairs and modifications must respect the original design, ensuring future generations can experience the jail much as 19th-century prisoners knew it—albeit with considerably more comfort.
FAQ
Q: Can anyone stay at the Ottawa Jail Hostel?
Yes, the hostel welcomes all guests, not just Hostelling International members. Non-members pay a small additional fee. Rooms range from shared dormitories in converted cells to private rooms. Advance booking is recommended, especially during peak tourist season and Halloween when demand for the haunted experience peaks.
Q: How many people were executed at Carleton County Gaol?
Eight men were executed by hanging at the jail between 1869 and 1946. The most famous was Patrick Whelan, convicted of assassinating Father of Confederation Thomas D’Arcy McGee. All executions took place in the jail’s courtyard, with the condemned housed on Death Row in their final days.
Q: Is the Ottawa Jail Hostel really haunted?
The hostel has a well-documented reputation for paranormal activity, with staff and guests reporting unexplained phenomena for decades. Whether these represent genuine supernatural encounters or psychological responses to the building’s atmosphere remains a matter of personal belief. Ghost tours explore the most active areas and share documented accounts.
Q: Can you tour the jail without staying overnight?
Yes, the hostel offers regular tours of the historical areas including Death Row and solitary confinement, even for those not staying as guests. The Haunted Walk of Ottawa also includes the jail on its route. Tours provide historical context about the jail’s operation, notable prisoners, and reported hauntings.
Q: What happened to the bodies of executed prisoners?
Initially, executed prisoners were buried in unmarked graves within the jail’s courtyard. Patrick Whelan’s body was later moved to Notre-Dame Cemetery. The exact locations of other prisoners’ remains are uncertain, adding to the building’s unsettling atmosphere and ghost stories.
Final Thoughts
The Ottawa Jail Hostel stands as a remarkable intersection of history, architecture, and unusual hospitality. From its origins as Carleton County Gaol in 1862 through 110 years of incarceration, execution, and human suffering, to its rebirth as one of Canada’s most distinctive accommodations, the building tells stories that few places can match.
Sleeping behind the same iron bars that once held Patrick Whelan, walking corridors where guards once enforced brutal discipline, and descending into solitary confinement cells that broke men’s spirits offers a visceral connection to the past. Whether you believe in ghosts or simply appreciate history, the jail delivers an unforgettable experience.
For visitors seeking more than typical tourist attractions, the Ottawa Jail Hostel provides perspective on Victorian justice, Canadian political history, and the dark chapters that shaped the nation’s capital. The building’s survival and transformation into a functioning hostel represents a creative approach to historic preservation, ensuring these stones continue telling their stories to new generations.
The condemned may have left long ago, but within these limestone walls, their presence lingers—in the graffiti scratched by desperate hands, in the shadows that seem to move at the edge of vision, and in the unmistakable feeling that you are never quite alone behind these bars.
Source: Library and Archives Canada, Carleton County Historical Society, Hostelling International Canada, National Historic Sites of Canada registry.
