Chatham Township near Wallaceburg in Chatham-Kent, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Baldoon Mystery

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 11, 2025

1. The Baldoon Mystery Marker

Inscription. Near this site was the homestead of John and Nancy McDonald (MacDonald), members of Lord Selkirk's 1804 settlement. The family home was the scene of many strange events. In the 1830's an aged neighbor woman had cast a spell of bad fortune on the McDonalds, which could only be broken by a silver bullet shot into a black goose that frequented the area. This McDonald did, and it was later discovered that the old woman had also been inflicted with a similar wound that same day. The spell was broken, the bizarre happenings developed into local lore known as the Baldoon Mystery.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.

Location. 42° 37.119′ N, 82° 28.669′ W. Marker is near Wallaceburg, Ontario, in Chatham-Kent. It is in Chatham Township. It is at the intersection of Saint Clair Parkway and Langstaff Line, on the left when traveling north on Saint Clair Parkway. The marker is in MacDonald Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29860 St Clair Pkwy, Wallaceburg ON N8A 4L1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Baldoon Settlement (within shouting distance of this marker); Baby Point (approx. 3.6 kilometers away); Rum Runners (approx. 3.7 kilometers away); Dr. Maud Menten, M.D., Ph.D. 1879-1960 (approx. 3.7 kilometers away); Port Lambton Hotels (approx. 3.8 kilometers away); Passenger Ships on the Lower St. Clair River (approx. 3.8 kilometers away); St. Clair River Habitat Restoration (approx. 3.8 kilometers away in the U.S.); Algonac Civil War / Vietnam Memorial (approx. 4.2 kilometers away in the U.S.).

Also see . . . The Baldoon Mystery (the Haunted Walk).

The troubles for the Macdonald family started in 1829. By many accounts, the first incident
Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 11, 2025

2. The Baldoon Mystery Marker
happened to some of the women while they were preparing straw in the barn. Without any warning, poles from the roof structure began to topple towards the ground, sending deadly wooden daggers to the ground. The women had to run for cover to avoid being impaled. After an investigation by the men, no probable source for the incident was ever found.The poles were installed in such a way that they couldn’t easily come loose. Could an unseen force have dislodged them with ill intent? The disturbing event was only the start of strange occurrences that would plague the farm for years to come.

(Submitted on May 13, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 262 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.