The Ghosts of the Caribou Hotel: Haunted History in the Yukon Wilderness



Tucked away in the quiet, historic town of Carcross, Yukon, the Caribou Hotel stands as a relic of Canada’s Klondike Gold Rush era steeped in stories of fortune seekers, frontier hardship, and ghostly encounters. Built in the early 1900s, this three-story wooden building has been a saloon, hotel, and local landmark for well over a century. But beyond its historical charm lies a reputation that has made it one of the most haunted buildings in the Yukon.

Whispers of phantom footsteps, spectral sightings, and eerie voices have echoed through the halls for generations. And at the center of the Caribou’s paranormal lore is its most famous resident the ghost of Bessie Gideon.

The Lady of the Hotel: Bessie Gideon

Bessie Gideon was one of the Caribou Hotel’s earliest proprietors, managing the business with her husband, Edwin “Ed” Gideon, in the early 1900s. After Ed died in 1925, Bessie continued to run the hotel alone, earning a reputation as a tough, no-nonsense woman who poured her heart and soul into the business. She was so dedicated to the Caribou that she reportedly lived and died within its walls. But according to many locals and visitors, Bessie never really left.

Guests have reported:

• Disembodied footsteps pacing the upper floors at night
• The sound of keys jingling, even when no staff are around
• Doors opening and closing on their own
• A female voice calling out when no one is there
• Apparitions of a woman in early 20th-century clothing, sometimes seen standing in windows or at the top of the staircase

Some say Bessie is still watching over the hotel, keeping an eye on things as she once did in life. Her spirit is not considered malicious only protective, as if she's ensuring her beloved Caribou remains intact.

A History Soaked in Spirits

The Caribou Hotel has seen its fair share of tragedy and drama over the years. During its long tenure, the building survived fires, harsh winters, and changing economies. Its guests included gold prospectors, railway workers, and even weary adventurers from the Alaska Highway. Given its age and the raw energy of the Gold Rush days, it’s no wonder that residual energies and intelligent hauntings are said to linger in the halls. Paranormal investigators and history buffs alike have been drawn to the hotel, hoping to connect with the spirits said to walk its creaky floors.

The Ghostly Parrot?

Adding a bit of eccentric charm to the Caribou’s haunted history is the tale of Polly the parrot. The Gideons once had a parrot that reportedly lived well past its years some say nearly 100! According to local legend, the bird was so bonded with Bessie that its ghost was also left behind. Some visitors claim to have heard phantom squawks or mimicry echoing down the halls, even though no parrots have lived in the hotel for decades.

Restoration and Resurgence

After being closed for years due to disrepair, the Caribou Hotel underwent extensive renovations and has since reopened to the public much to the delight of ghost hunters and heritage travelers. Great care has been taken to preserve the historic character of the building, while also honoring its rich paranormal reputation.

Staff are generally open about the hotel’s haunted history, and some even consider Bessie something of a “house spirit” a ghostly presence who still contributes to the life of the Caribou in her own mysterious way. Would You Spend a Night with Bessie?

The Caribou Hotel offers more than just a place to stay, it provides a window into the past and a brush with the supernatural. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a paranormal investigator, or a curious traveler, the Caribou invites you to step back in time and possibly meet one of its lingering souls. If you do visit, take a moment to say hello to Bessie. You never know… she might just say hello back.