Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Ghost tales: The storied history of Kootenay Lake’s most famous home

The Blaylock Mansion, a.k.a. Lakewood, was built in the 1930s for Cominco boss Selwyn Blaylock. Now a bed and breakfast, it’s probably the most famous home in West Kootenay. Photo: Tyler Harper

Ghost tales: The storied history of Kootenay Lake’s most famous home

September 14, 2021 //  by Greg Nesteroff

Share this:

Charlie Hodge gives new meaning to the term ghostwriter.

He was hired to collaborate on a coffee-table book about Blaylock Mansion, the former summer residence of a Cominco boss that is now a bed and breakfast just east of Nelson. Instead he wrote a novel narrated by a ghost.

Hodge was initially reluctant to get involved when he received a phone call five years ago from Dan McGauley, who managed the B&B with wife Louise. McGauley dreamed of publishing a book about the estate and had long been gathering notes on its history, but he wasn’t a writer and needed to find someone who was.

A mutual acquaintance suggested Hodge, a veteran Kelowna journalist, city councillor, and author of two popular books on hockey’s Howie Meeker. However, Hodge dismissed the idea because McGauley said he was seeking a ghostwriter.

“It’s not what I do,” Hodge told him. “Why would I write a book that doesn’t have my name on it?”

McGauley quickly clarified that Hodge was welcome to put his name on the book — although, as it happened, ghosts were a key part of the story.

Hodge still wasn’t sure, so McGauley invited Hodge and his wife to visit the mansion before deciding.

“We went to Nelson for the weekend and looked at the place,” Hodge recalls. “It was absolutely gorgeous.”

Hodge signed on for what was originally conceived as a book that would draw on McGauley’s notes to present the history of Selwyn Blaylock’s palatial residence, which was built in the 1930s and originally known as Lakewood. However, Hodge says, “the book morphed.”

While Blaylock was responsible for the mansion’s construction, Hodge was intrigued with other characters associated with the property before and after Blaylock. A land title search revealed former owners included American Civil War veteran Newton Wolverton, prominent lawyer Sidney Stockton Taylor, and Nelson mayor John Hamilton.

McGauley told Hodge about Cliff Chase, the “classic con man” who bought the estate from Blaylock’s widow in the 1970s only to skip town one night, leaving a string of unpaid bills. (The McGauley family ended up with the mansion after Chase defaulted on a loan.)

“My imagination wrapped into the history of all of the characters on the land who were really quite unique and powerful,” Hodge says.

“I was walking at the top part of the property and sat down in this beautiful field and was overwhelmed with how peaceful it was. I thought ‘this isn’t about the mansion, it’s about the land.’ That’s where the spirit concept came from.”

Charlie Hodge is the author of Lost Souls of Lakewood, a ghostly but mostly factual novel about the Blaylock Mansion. Photo submitted

Though he is spiritual, Hodge didn’t believe in ghosts. Midway through the project, however, he experienced serious health problems and had a narrow brush with death. He thought it would be interesting to contemplate who might haunt the mansion as well as the mechanics of an afterlife.

READ MORE: Haunted Nelson: Blaylock’s Mansion

“What does a ghost feel or think? Does a ghost eat or drink? Do ghosts talk to each other? The average person wouldn’t think about that. I wouldn’t. But suddenly I have these questions. It’s a weird conversation to have with yourself. We assume that when we die we get all the answers. But what if you’re in limbo? What if you’re frustrated because you still don’t have all the answers?”

A ghost narrator also gave him latitude to speculate on what was going on behind the scenes. Blaylock, in particular, was difficult to get a handle on. “In his lifetime he was either loved or hated, with not much in between,” Hodge says.

Although hailed as a titan of industry, Blaylock clashed with trade unionists, chief among them Ginger Goodwin, who led a strike at the Trail smelter in 1917. Blaylock was suspected of pulling strings to have Goodwin conscripted for the First World War. Goodwin then fled to the hills around Cumberland, where a posse member shot and killed him, sparking Canada’s first general strike.

Hodge’s narrator is a phantom fly on the wall, observing such events and filling in otherwise-unknowable details.

READ MORE: Hiking through history: Exploring Second World War landmarks on Vancouver Island’s west coast

The resulting self-published book, Lost Souls of Lakewood, came out in the spring and is available at stores in Nelson and Trail.

Hodge is proud of the finished product, but laments that McGauley isn’t around to see it. He died of cancer last December, although he read the finished manuscript and provided a preface. Hodge and McGauley are billed as co-authors, but didn’t get to do a planned road trip together to distribute the books.

Hodge says he’s relieved to be finished after expending a “ridiculous” amount of time and energy on the project.

“The world is full of fascinating people and sometimes we don’t take the time to appreciate those who come before us,” he says. “It was an honour to do it.”

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Books, British Columbia Destinations, Canada, Ghosts, Kootenays/Rockies, Staycation secrets

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

‘It was a super cool experience’: Wolfpack spotted hanging out in Kelowna

A Kelowna photographer captured images of a pack of wolves while on a weekend hike…

‘It was a super cool experience’: Wolfpack spotted hanging out in KelownaRead More

Gary the cat shreds the gnar in Golden

He might be a better skier and influencer than any Gen Z could imagine, possibly…

Gary the cat shreds the gnar in GoldenRead More

Travel on the Fly: Dine Out Vancouver; Waddling with penguins in Calgary; Fernie’s powder perfection + more!

What’s going on around the West Coast? Here’s your inside guide to what’s happening where,…

Travel on the Fly: Dine Out Vancouver; Waddling with penguins in Calgary; Fernie’s powder perfection + more!Read More

Nothing is the New Something in B.C.’s Southern Gulf Islands

Many travellers believe spring and summer are the best times to explore. That means the…

Nothing is the New Something in B.C.’s Southern Gulf IslandsRead More

Vancouver Island photographer’s bald eagle image is Canada’s choice for international contest

A dramatic image by professional Vancouver Island photographer Anthony Bucci will represent Canada in a…

Vancouver Island photographer’s bald eagle image is Canada’s choice for international contestRead More

Fuel up for outdoor adventures in The ‘Loops: Serving up seconds on magical meals and memories!

The best compliment you can give a chef? Returning for seconds! Oh, and to tell…

Fuel up for outdoor adventures in The ‘Loops: Serving up seconds on magical meals and memories!Read More

The writer who’s been everywhere shares his 2023 California travel wish list

By Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times I’ve been meandering around California for decades, which is…

The writer who’s been everywhere shares his 2023 California travel wish listRead More

Tourism hopes high in B.C. as China lifts border rules, but recovery may take months

Zhengwen Hao says the phone for his Richmond, B.C., restaurant hasn’t stopped buzzing in recent…

Tourism hopes high in B.C. as China lifts border rules, but recovery may take monthsRead More

VIDEO: Young orcas caught showboating off Greater Victoria

They say the downfall of every great fishing story is a witness. But a group…

VIDEO: Young orcas caught showboating off Greater VictoriaRead More

Previous Post: « Find your favourite brewery in and around the Lower Mainland
Next Post: Port Alberni’s aquarium re-opens for 2021 »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

‘It was a super cool experience’: Wolfpack spotted hanging out in Kelowna

January 25, 2023

Gary the cat shreds the gnar in Golden

January 25, 2023

Travel on the Fly: Dine Out Vancouver; Waddling with penguins in Calgary; Fernie’s powder perfection + more!

January 24, 2023

Nothing is the New Something in B.C.’s Southern Gulf Islands

January 24, 2023

Recent Posts

‘It was a super cool experience’: Wolfpack spotted hanging out in Kelowna

January 25, 2023

Gary the cat shreds the gnar in Golden

January 25, 2023

Travel on the Fly: Dine Out Vancouver; Waddling with penguins in Calgary; Fernie’s powder perfection + more!

January 24, 2023

Nothing is the New Something in B.C.’s Southern Gulf Islands

January 24, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved