The Phantom Rider of Bickleigh, SK

For decades, a mysterious pair of spirits—a horse and its rider—have been said to haunt a long-vanished stretch of train track that once cut through the northern expanse of the Great Plains. Some said they were little more than a trick of fog in the moonlight, but that was before human remains were found nearby. Figment or phantom, it’s an excellent piece of folklore from the Canadian west, with ties to a community and a history that’s in danger of being forgotten.

This is Part Three in a four-part series called Ghost Town Ghosts which explores the phantoms and spirits once said to haunt Canadian communities that no longer exist.

Fireside Canada is a podcast about Canadian legends, lies and lore. Focused on both the storytelling and the historical aspects of folklore, each episode includes a creative retelling or story inspired by the folklore as well as an exploration and analysis of its history and cultural significance: the story behind the story. You can learn more at FiresideCanada.ca.

David Williams is the host, writer and researcher behind the show. You can find him on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).