For more than 130 years businesses and residents have enjoyed the produce and atmosphere at the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, Australia. However, at times, people experience the strange, as ghostly images and sounds are reported.
Who is haunting the markets?
Who is haunting the markets?
Queen Victoria Markets
Christmas 1907. The ghost of a child, invisible masses bumping into people and strange sounds coming from the carpark. These are some of the paranormal events that have been reported by people visiting the Queen Victoria Markets. One might find it odd that ghosts and spirits would be roaming this, the largest open air markets in the southern hemisphere. But once you peel back the layers of history that envelope this place you will find it is not as suprising as you would think.
Today the market is 135 years old, having been officially opened on 20th March 1878, although other markets had been operating on the site prior to this time. It covers an area of some seventeen acres, and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. About fifty percent of the market is dedicated to the sale of fresh produce, and the rest of the space holds all manner of stalls and specialty goods. One could quite happily wander the rows of stands, stalls and tables for the best part of a day. The casual, yet bustling atmosphere is easy to take in, as stall holders vie in friendly competition with their neighbours, to get the sale from you.
However, the atmosphere was not always friendly, as at times there was an air of tension and sometimes controversy in the markets past.
Today the market is 135 years old, having been officially opened on 20th March 1878, although other markets had been operating on the site prior to this time. It covers an area of some seventeen acres, and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. About fifty percent of the market is dedicated to the sale of fresh produce, and the rest of the space holds all manner of stalls and specialty goods. One could quite happily wander the rows of stands, stalls and tables for the best part of a day. The casual, yet bustling atmosphere is easy to take in, as stall holders vie in friendly competition with their neighbours, to get the sale from you.
However, the atmosphere was not always friendly, as at times there was an air of tension and sometimes controversy in the markets past.
Deaths
Markets circa 1960. During the 1960's two of the markets Italian workers were killed, with several others wounded and one missing. The murders came about when members of the 'Honoured Society' used extortion to cheat immigrant Italian growers out of thousands of dollars. Essentially, earnings through commisions on the wholesale of fresh produce was increased, with the societies members getting their cut. This criminal activity led to the removal of the wholesale section of the market to Footscray Road, away from the regular market goers, where it still remains to this day. During this period several other workers were shot and injured, and market worker Francesco De Masi disappeared, never to be seen again.
If we go back a little further to 1916, we find another murder of a stall holder; Joseph Lauricella. According to 'The Argus', 18 August :
'Lauricella was a fruit and vegetable dealer in a prosperous way of business at North Carlton. He was in the Victoria Market at about 4 o'clock in the morning, and accused was seen to fire an automatic pistol at him from behind. Several shots were fired, and two took effect in the head, one proving fatal.'
The man who fired the shots was chased down, captured and subsequently put on trial. The defence stated that the accused 'was a mental degenerate and was not responsible for his actions' that he was 'very dull and stupid' and 'He would not have the same judgment or reflection as an ordinary person' to which the judge, Mr Justice Hood, replied 'that very few criminals had, or there would be no crime committed'.
The jury deliberated for all of ten minutes and returned with a verdict of guilty. The accused was sentenced to death, and on the 18th of September 1916 Antonio Picone felt the extreme penalty of the law when he was hanged in Old Melbourne Gaol.
So far we have Three dead market workers, a disappearance and a few injuries. Not too bad for a market of 130 odd years. What if we could add another nine thousand bodies to that tally?
'Lauricella was a fruit and vegetable dealer in a prosperous way of business at North Carlton. He was in the Victoria Market at about 4 o'clock in the morning, and accused was seen to fire an automatic pistol at him from behind. Several shots were fired, and two took effect in the head, one proving fatal.'
The man who fired the shots was chased down, captured and subsequently put on trial. The defence stated that the accused 'was a mental degenerate and was not responsible for his actions' that he was 'very dull and stupid' and 'He would not have the same judgment or reflection as an ordinary person' to which the judge, Mr Justice Hood, replied 'that very few criminals had, or there would be no crime committed'.
The jury deliberated for all of ten minutes and returned with a verdict of guilty. The accused was sentenced to death, and on the 18th of September 1916 Antonio Picone felt the extreme penalty of the law when he was hanged in Old Melbourne Gaol.
So far we have Three dead market workers, a disappearance and a few injuries. Not too bad for a market of 130 odd years. What if we could add another nine thousand bodies to that tally?
The Resting Place For More Than 9000 Bodies
A rare photo of the cemetery. In 1837, the first burial took place in the Old Melbourne Cemetery. Old Melbourne Cemetery was established on ten acres of Crown Land, which had been divided into use by the various religious denominations. There were two areas of burial; one within the fenced off section, for those worthy of a proper burial, and the other for aboriginals, non religious people and executed criminals.
In 1878 the market took over part of the land comprising the cemetery, followed by the rest in 1917. It is estimated that over ten thousand bodies had been interred into the ground, but when exhumations were carried out to move the bodies to a new burial site, only 914 were dug up. Only marked graves were exumed, and unfortunately those who had lost their grave marker were left in the ground. The problem is, a majority of the grave markers were made of redwood, and these were taken over the years to be used as fire wood.
In 1878 the market took over part of the land comprising the cemetery, followed by the rest in 1917. It is estimated that over ten thousand bodies had been interred into the ground, but when exhumations were carried out to move the bodies to a new burial site, only 914 were dug up. Only marked graves were exumed, and unfortunately those who had lost their grave marker were left in the ground. The problem is, a majority of the grave markers were made of redwood, and these were taken over the years to be used as fire wood.
There are around 9000 bodies still buried under parts of the market and especially its carpark. It would be nice to say they are lying at peace, but work and renovations to the market have been known to disturb the remains. As recently as 1991 thirty bodies were disturbed and removed, as surveys were carried out for the construction of new sheds on the site.
Now knowing a little about the history of the markets, it would be safe to assume there is no more suprise that paranormal encounters are taking place. Stall holders, security guards and buyers/visitors have all reported the strange goings on.
These sightings include the sight of three men who look like three bushrangers, who were interred into the ground after being hanged for their crimes. Security have reported seeing them, only to have them vanish on approach...
Now knowing a little about the history of the markets, it would be safe to assume there is no more suprise that paranormal encounters are taking place. Stall holders, security guards and buyers/visitors have all reported the strange goings on.
These sightings include the sight of three men who look like three bushrangers, who were interred into the ground after being hanged for their crimes. Security have reported seeing them, only to have them vanish on approach...
Ashley Hall 2013
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