In the far west of our country, restless spirits also roam. In Western Australia there is one alleged story of a young girl falling to her death off the balcony of the Kalamunda Hotel. According to legend the original owner and builder of the Kalamunda Hotel, Paddy Connolly, was something of a ladies' man. It is said in legend that he succeeded in seducing a teenage girl who subsequently became pregnant. She is supposed to have jumped from the hotel balcony, being killed in the fall, and from that time has haunted the hotel.
In some versions of the story the unfortunate girl is said to be an Aboriginal who actually bore the child before she committed suicide. This version of the story generally claims that the body of the girl was never recovered.
Yet another version of the tale has the girls suicide in Room 24, where guests never stay for very long. Glowing lights have been seen in this room when it is unoccupied and the corridor outside is said to be always chilly, even on the hottest days.
The ghost has been seen on various occasions, a woman with long blonde hair and dressed in a nightgown, either walking through walls or appearing as a grey figure in the air. Unexplained noises, the movement of small items, such as keys, from place to place and the sound of phantom footsteps above the stairs and the unexplained tripping of fire alarms are said to be common manifestations of the ghost. Sometimes the footsteps follow guests and workers along the hotel verandah.
A further version of the story has it that there are two ghosts in the hotel - that of Paddy Connolly and of his daughter who is said to have died in the hotel's attic. According to legend the ghosts walk on air between the original two hotel buildings. Ghost hunters and researchers have visited the hotel over the years and have mixed results in recorded sounds. Two rooms seem to be more haunted than others, room 3 and 24 by all accounts. Knockings, door closing and footsteps in an empty locked room is often heard.
Is there any truth to the story of young girl dying at the hotel?
After some research there seems to be no historical evidence found at present to confirm this alleged story of the young girl falling to her death? Most likely an urban legend created as an answer to possible alleged paranormal activity at the site?
However searching through the archives there may be another story that may be connected to the alleged haunting of the Kalamunda Hotel?
To be continued.....
Kanacki