Ghost hunters scour Stinson School - Last chance before it becomes condo complex

They were searching for spirits long rumoured to be wandering in the nooks and crevices of Stinson Street School.

At times during their hunt, pendulums swung, spirit boards brought communications, and sensitive bodies felt the presence of spirits.

At other times, not so much.

Armed with a cache of ghost-seeking tools they could take turns using, about 140 people took part in Haunted Hamilton's ghost hunt at the old school Saturday night.

It was the last chance for curious spirit seekers to explore the building before it's turned into trendy new lofts by developer Harry Stinson.

Stinson himself stayed out of the spirit debate but said he has been told by lots of people about the building's hauntings.

"Are there strange noises?" Stinson asks. "Well, this is 60,000 square feet of space, all wood construction -- of course there's noises."

But neither noises nor the disturbed bats that began flying overhead on more than one floor could faze the spirit seekers.

Ghost hunters, many with cameras in hand, wandered off in small groups to explore the century-old building, much of which had been plunged into darkness for the event.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Hamiltonian Lynda Head, 56.

"We're not going to get in here again."