The Greenock Swamp is a large, forested wetland in southern Bruce County. Formerly Greenock Township now the Municipality of Brockton, extending into the municipalities of South Bruce, Huron-Kinloss and Kincardine. It is the largest forested wetland in southern Ontario. Greenock Swamp was designated a provincially significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) in and classified as a Class 1 wetland, the highest provincial ranking, in 1989.

Cargill and Greenock Swamp Museum and Visitor Centre

Deep in Bruce County, stretching across 20,000 acres of dense, untamed wilderness, lies the Greenock Swamp—Ontario’s largest forested wetland and one of its most legendary places.

For centuries, loggers, settlers, and travelers have shared eerie stories about this land—vanishing men, floating lights, hidden treasures, ghostly figures, and even man-eating plants. Some of these tales are rooted in truth, others in folklore, but all have helped shape the swamp’s reputation as a place full of secrets, danger, and the unexplained.

As someone who has spent a lifetime working in the woods, I know that some forests just feel different—and Greenock Swamp is one of them.

The Vanishing Loggers of Greenock Swamp

During the late 1800s logging boom, Greenock Swamp became a dangerous, grueling workplace for the hundreds of men who tried to harvest its towering white pines. With dense vegetation, hidden bogs, and constant mist, it was easy to get lost---and not everyone made it back out.

The official explanation for these disappearances?

• Some drowned in the thick mud and waterways.

• Some were crushed by falling trees or runaway logs.

• Some simply got lost, and the swamp swallowed them whole.

But the unofficial stories tell a darker tale:

• Loggers claimed to hear voices calling their names---but when they turned, no one was there.

• Others spoke of floating lights weaving through the trees---too high and too fast to be lanterns.

• Some even claimed to see men in old, tattered logging gear watching them from the shadows, only to vanish when approached.

Even today, hunters and hikers who wander too deep into Greenock Swamp report a heavy feeling of being watched---and some never return.

The Lost Treasure of Greenock Swamp

According to local legend, somewhere deep within Greenock Swamp lies a hidden fortune in gold---buried by criminals, fur traders, or bootleggers who never returned to claim it.

Over the years, treasure hunters have searched for it, but the swamp doesn't make things easy.

• Some have claimed to find strange markings on trees, possibly left behind as a coded map.

• Others have heard digging noises late at night, only to find nothing there.

• A few unlucky ones have disappeared while searching, adding to the legend that something in the swamp is guarding the gold.

Nobody knows if the treasure is real or just another tall tale, but one thing is certain---Greenock Swamp doesn't give up its secrets easily.

Phantom Lights and the Green Mist

One of the most frequently reported phenomena in Greenock Swamp is the appearance of ghostly lights---small, glowing orbs that float between the trees.

Some say they're the spirits of loggers who died in the swamp, guiding or warning travelers. Others believe they're something much older---a natural phenomenon, or perhaps even something supernatural.

But the strangest of all is the green mist.

• Travelers driving near the swamp have reported thick green fog rolling out of nowhere, sometimes forcing them to stop because visibility drops to zero.

• Some claim to have seen figures forming in the mist, almost like shadows moving on their own.

• Some old-timers even swear that those who breathe in too much of the mist start seeing things that aren't there.

Scientists say it's just swamp gas, but if you've ever driven past Greenock on a foggy night, you know---it doesn't feel like regular fog.

The Ghostly Lumberjack

Among loggers, there's a legend of a spectral lumberjack who appears on foggy mornings, silently watching crews before vanishing into the mist.

• He's always described as a bearded man in tattered logging clothes, standing near the tree line.

• He never speaks---just watches.

• Some say he's the ghost of a logger who was killed in a tragic accident, still lingering where he fell.

Nobody knows who he is, but even modern-day loggers have reported seeing him.

The Devil's Plants: Are There Man-Eating Plants in Greenock Swamp?

This one is straight out of a horror movie---but some locals insist it's true.

Greenock Swamp is home to rare carnivorous plants like pitcher plants and sundews, which trap insects. But older stories speak of plants big enough to trap small animals---or even people.

• Some claim to have seen "devil vines" that tighten around anything that steps too close.

• A few loggers and hunters have gone missing near areas where these plants grow in clusters.

• Scientists dismiss it, but if you ever find yourself stuck in the swamp and something grabs your leg? Good luck.

The Hidden Moonshine Stills of Prohibition

During Prohibition, the dense, isolated terrain of Greenock Swamp made it the perfect place for bootleggers to hide illegal stills.

• Some of the best "swamp whiskey" was rumored to have come from deep in Greenock.

• The rough terrain kept the law at bay, allowing operations to flourish.

• To this day, people have found old barrels, bottles, and equipment hidden in the muck---left behind by those who once risked it all for a drink.

Final Thoughts: Just Another Swamp... or Something Else?

Greenock Swamp is one of Ontario's most underrated legendary locations. Unlike big-name haunted forests and ghost towns, this place flies under the radar---but talk to anyone who's spent time near it, and you'll hear a story or two that'll keep you up at night.

Zack Weiler, owner of Grey Bruce Tree Workers The Legends and Mysteries of Greenock Swamp

Sources (some quoted by Zack Weiler) and other resources I found:

• Bruce Grey Simcoe - Legends of The Great Swamp: Mysteries of the Greenock Swamp
• Explore the Bruce - Greenock Swamp Tours
• Grey Bruce Boomers - Bootlegging in the Greenock Swamp
• Midwestern Newspapers Corp. - Bootlegging, logging and man-eating plants: Greenock Swamp has it all
• Walkerton - Greenock Swamp Tours
• Walkerton - Into the Wild: Exploring Greenock Swamp Near Walkerton
• Wikipedia - Greenock Swamp

I've got the idea to write a book about places in Barrie, Ontario which are forgotten, lost, unknown, mysterious, "haunted", or otherwise have a good story to be found. I've seen people creating, publishing, and selling books with Amazon. I'm not sure how it works, I have just started with the idea and have a lot to find out. For now, I'm gathering information. I even found an old photo of the Queen's Hotel in Barrie, in an old cookbook from the volunteers at the Victoria Hospital in 1900.

Starting point: The Old Jail (The shadow of Mulcaster Street) Location: 87 Mulcaster St (Site of the former Simcoe County Jail and now a parking lot/site of the new courthouse).

The Story: A classic of Barrie lore. This jail, built in the 1800s. While it was primarily a detention facility, executions were carried out here when Canada still had the death penalty. Security guards who worked at the old jail have reported plenty of unsettling experiences.

What to Look For: The area itself, especially at night, reportedly has an unnerving atmosphere. You're standing where generations of criminals, and some believe, their tormented spirits, spent their final days. The chilling reality of this former institution is often enough to send a shiver down your spine.

Stop two: Barrie Public Library (The Carnegie's quiet guard) Location: 37 Mulcaster St (now the MacLaren Art Centre).

The Story: The original Beaux Arts-style library building was constructed in 1915 with an Andrew Carnegie Foundation grant. Though the current library is elsewhere, the heritage building on Mulcaster is rumored to be home to an elderly ghost. Many say it is a dedicated former staff member or patron. People have reported objects moving on their own and feeling unexplained cold spots. Given its long life as a public building, it's not surprising a few old souls decided to stick around.

What to Look For: Stand outside the old building on Mulcaster (or the new one if you're closer) and think about what kind of person would be so dedicated to books they'd linger after death.

Stop three: Meridian Place and the Lakeshore (The waterside whisper) Location: Meridian Place, at the foot of Dunlop Street.

The Story: This area is the terminus of the historic Nine Mile Portage, a crucial route for Indigenous people and later for fur traders and the military during the War of 1812. The lake itself has a tragic past, with shipwrecks and drownings occuring over the centuries on the icy waters of Kempenfelt Bay. Legend has it that the spirits of those lost to the water, be they soldiers, early settlers, or victims of accidents, can sometimes be heard in the wind coming off the bay, a cold, mournful whisper over the square.

What to Look For: As your walking by this haunted tour stop, feel the wind coming off the water. Consider the hundreds of years of transit, trade, and tragedy that have occurred right where you're standing.

Stop four: The Queen's Hotel (The unfortunate groom) Location: 94 Dunlop Street East (The current site of the Queen's Hotel).

The Story: Legend goes that the Queen's Hotel is forever tied to the sad and mysterious death of Gertrude Small and her husband Warren Bell. Warren was an electrician who had worked at the Queen's Hotel. Just one day after their wedding, both Gertrude and Warren died in a tragic car accident that ended in the Nottawasaga River. Although the official verdict was accidental drowning, there were sensational rumors of a conspiracy surrounding Gertrude’s considerable inheritance.

What to Look For: While the main tragedy didn't happen right here, some say that Warren's ghost has been seen in and around the hotel, perhaps still doing his work or perhaps waiting for his bride.

Stop five: The Collier Street haunting (A stately specter) Location: 58 Collier Street (Site of a former medical office, near Trinity Anglican Church).

The Story: Collier Street is one of the oldest streets in Barrie, running parallel to Dunlop. Many historic homes and early professional offices once lined this road. The old Victorian house at 58 Collier, served as the medical office for Dr. W.A. Lewis (a former associate coroner) for years, residents and staff have reported unusual activity.

The building, now a business, is said to be haunted by a polite, formal specter. Workers in the area have reported seeing an apparition of a gentleman, formally dressed, who simply appears and then vanishes, seemingly just going about his business in the stately old building. This ghost is believed to be the spirit of a former doctor or prominent resident who is simply attached to his professional home. It's less a tale of tragedy and more a classic residual haunting of a person of habit.

What to Look For: Unlike the emotionally charged tales of Elizabeth Meyer (which we talk about soon) or the violent past of the Jail, this is a suspected residual haunting … an imprint of a past routine. Look for any faint, fleeting motion or shadow in the windows, representing a spirit still tied to the place of his daily work, as you check out this haunted walking tour stop.

Stop six: The Five Points (The scarred corner) Location: The intersection of Dunlop St. E/W, Bayfield St., and Clapperton St.

The Story: While not a single haunted building, this historic junction is the scarred heart of Barrie's past. The surrounding buildings, particularly those on the corners, were repeatedly destroyed by devastating fires throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. This corner has been the site of businesses, hotels, and busy human activity for nearly 200 years.

Places that have experienced multiple devastating fires are often associated with residual energy and bad luck. Stand here and imagine the chaos, the heat, and the panic of a city being destroyed by fire. Some say that on a still night, you can faintly hear the muffled screams of warning or the clatter of fire bells from a century ago, echoing the trauma of the area.

What to Look For: Notice the varying ages of the buildings around you … the oldest ones that survived the flames are the most likely to have uninvited guests.

Stop seven: The Simcoe Hotel (Elizabeth's unfinished justice) Location: The corner of Bayfield Street and Dunlop Street East.

The Story: The site of the Simcoe Hotel was a major focal point in the 19th century. This area is strongly connected to the tragic story of Elizabeth Meyer. In January 1872, Elizabeth was found lifeless at the front entrance of the Simcoe Hotel on a brutally cold night. Her death was ruled as accidental, but a lingering mystery remains about the exact circumstances … did she fall? Was she pushed?

The Haunting: Local lore suggests Elizabeth is not resting easily. It is believed her spirit is still attached to the area, seeking justice for her mysterious death. Staff and those who frequent the vicinity have reported a chilling female presence, as if being watched by someone who desperately needs to share a secret.

What to Look For: This stop connects directly to the chaos of the Five Points, so pause here and reflect on the individual human tragedy that occurred amidst the grand history of the hotels. The spot is very close to the newer development, making the old, tragic history all the more unsettling.

Final stop: The Farmhouse (The suicide at the YMCA) Location: The Farmhouse Restaurant, 3480 Yonge St (A short drive south of downtown).

The Story: Originally built in 1890, this building has a rich history as a YMCA and a "gentlemen's club" before becoming the popular restaurant it is today. The most famous piece of folklore centers on a former employee who tragically took his own life in the basement. It's rumored he still lurks, and employees have reported some very weird things. This is a classic local haunting with numerous firsthand accounts.

What to Look For: While you can't go ghost hunting inside (unless you're dining there!), the building's distinctive old architecture and deep history make it a fittingly eerie endpoint to your walk.

Barrie 360 - Barrie After Dark: A self-guided haunted walking tour

RIP Terry Boyle 1953-2016

Terry Boyle writes about haunted, forgotten, and historical Ontario. He started writing in 1976, but so far I haven't seen any of the early books. I have several of his books on my shelves. I like reading about old Ontario. When we are out for a road trip I can look for the places he has written about in his books. I don't think I've ever seen a ghost. I'm still on the skeptical side when it comes to haunted places.

Host of Creepy Canada television documentary. I found some episodes on YouTube. But, Wikipedia has a list with 3 seasons and 30 episodes. Not all of them hosted by Terry Boyle. In season 3, half or more of the episodes are not in Canada. That's disappointing, were they running out of Canadian locations or caving to pressure to pacify US viewers? The original Creepy Canada website for the show has more information about each location reported about in the series.

At one point there was a site for Entwood Tours - "...join Canadian author Terry Boyle on Historic and Haunted walks of Bala, Gravenhurst and Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada".

Terry hosted the popular radio show Discover Ontario on Classical 96 and 103.1, Toronto, for 14 years. He has talked and written about Ontario folklore and history for more than 40 years and authored seventeen popular books.

You will hear and see how Parry Sound grew from a native village to a sprawling lumber centre. Perhaps you will hear an eerie wail at the Parry Sound Jail or see the lingering spirit of Belvedere Hill. Terry will highlight the walk with upwards of 300 vintage photographs of the downtown area.

No tours since 2014.

About Terry Boyle - A page from the Entwood Tours site.

Terry Boyle hosted the popular radio show Discover Ontario on Classical 96 and 103.1, Toronto, for 14 years. He has talked and written about Ontario folklore and history for more than 40 years and has authored seventeen popular books.

Do ghosts really exist? Terry Boyle seems to think so. He believes in them so much that he has travelled all across Ontario to research popular hauntings. The outcome of his research was three books: Haunted Ontario and Haunted Ontario 2 and Marilyn at French River and Other Ghostly Sightings.

According to Karen Coyle of The Chronicle, "Some of the more popular stories in the first book are the Donnelly Estate in Lucan and Ghost Road and the Jester’s Court in Port Perry. Boyle does not just write the legends of these ghosts, he researches them. He will travel to the haunted property and speak with the employees or residents of the place as well as other people in the area. He also looks up the history of the area to see if he can find out who the spirits are and why they are still there."

In Port Perry, there are two haunted places - the well-known Ghost Road and the lesser-known Jester’s Court. According to an interview with Boyle, Coyle adds, "The legend of Ghost Road is well-known. Way back when, a man was riding his motorcycle on the road, or in the field (there are several versions). At some point he lost control and was decapitated by the wire fence at the edge of the field. Now, people claim to see a headlight on the road coming towards them, then the red tail light driving away."

Jester’s Court in Port Perry is also documented in Haunted Ontario. The building has a long history. Coyle continues to highlight the interview with Boyle, "It served many purposes, including a hotel for many years, and is currently a restaurant and pub. Many people have had experiences in the restaurant over the years.

Most of the staff have learned to live with them even when dishes are moving around right in front of them and lights turn themselves on and off. The staff simply tells the ghosts to ‘stop playing around, we’re trying to get work done’.

The Donnelly homestead in Lucan , Ontario is also highlighted in Haunted Ontario. A long time ago a terrible tragedy took place there. Boyle states, "Five members of the Donnelly family were murdered in cold blood by people from the town.

Robert Salts and his wife now own the property and firmly believe that the Donnellys are still there. A spirit or spirits haunt the old barn situated on the property as well as the homestead.

In Haunted Ontario 2 Boyle highlights the Ottawa International Hostel and Carleton County Gaol. Boyle states, "Out of the shower and into the change room. The clothes have vanished. In the hallway a sock appears, a shirt...pants...belt...underwear, scattered down the hall like stepping stones. Where is the watch? The search begins in another room or, more accurately put, another cell. No longer ticking, the watch lies upside down on a cold, concrete floor. The searcher flees to his room. What on earth just took place? These are common occurrences for those who stay in the Ottawa International Hostel, once the Carleton County Gaol. Time stops on Death Row."

Marilyn at French River and Other Ghostly Sightings highlights a beautiful, young starlet finds relief from her troubled Hollywood existence at an inn on the French River in the 1950's. After her tragic death the staff, and some visitors, see the ethereal blonde in the room Marilyn once occupied. They are convinced she has returned to stay forever.

This inn is just one of the public places where you may see a spirit yourself. And every place has a fascinating story to tell.

A thwarted love affair led to suicide in the bank building that now houses The Hockey Hall of Fame. A pretty bank teller was driven to despair when her married lover rejected her. Using the bank revolver, she ended it all in the ladies rest room. No one could visit that room without feeling her presence. Visitors today say she still inhabits the building.

Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake, a hotel on Lake Huron and even such familiar spots as Prince Edward County and the Gravenhurst Opera House are haunted by spirits people see and hear almost every day.

Take a trip with Terry Boyle, well-known historian and folklorist, who tells the stories behind each place and explains what he and others actually saw and heard.

The possibility of a spiritual world has grown up with the current Burk’s Falls resident. With great-grandparents coming from Ireland, it wasn’t uncommon to tell stories of folklore.

“I grew up with the stories of little people and leprechauns and the like, so I kind of tucked it in the back of my head,” he said. “Then when I started writing books in the 70’s, people kept telling me stories. Sixteen years ago, I thought maybe I should be writing on the subject.”

And so, Boyle began writing the first book to his Haunted Canada series, where various locations are explored by him and documented. He also hosted Creepy Canada, which ran on Discovery Channel from 2002 to 2006.

Boyle said his investigations usually begin with someone telling him of a haunted place.

“I phone the establishment and I see if they’re interested in having a story written about their place in regards to haunting and spirits. If they say yes, then I drive there and arrange an interview with the owners,” he said. “Then I research the history of the property and the building, then I interview possible descendants of the family that built the building. Then I interview the staff that are working in the establishment and I tour the grounds and the building and sometimes stay over night.”

Boyle will take photos of the site and retrieve any archival photos he can find of what the building looked like 50 to 100 years ago.

“It’s really quite intriguing because you meet some incredible people,” he said.

The content of his books make for an interesting read, to say the least.

“There are very unusual experiences that challenge the rational mind,” he said. “It goes a bit beyond our belief system.”

Locally, Boyle said the Gravenhurst Opera House and the Ojibway Hotel in Pointe au Baril have experienced sightings.

“There are doorways, there are other dimensions,” he said. “There’s no question about that.”

Boyle has experienced many things, including two women arguing outside his door at the Beild House Country Inn Spa in Collingwood where he slept in Kind Edward’s bed. He’s also visited opera houses where someone sits in the seat behind him but as soon as the lights go up, they’re gone.

“I’ve never looked back,” he said. “It’s pretty fascinating. It’s a very fascinating field.”

Almaguin News - Haunted Ontario author invites Burk’s Falls on trip to the other side

• Discover Ontario: Stories of the Province's Unique People and Places (2016)
• Hidden Ontario: Secrets from Ontario’s Past (2011)
• Ontario Memories (1998)
• Ontario Album
• Memories of Ontario (Western Ontario) (1991)
• Fit to Be Tied: Ontario's Murderous Past (2001)
• Teachings from the Longhouse (1994)
• Marilyn at French River and Other Ghostly Sightings
• Haunted Ontario (1998)
• Haunted Ontario Revisited (2007)
• Haunted Ontario (2): Ghostly Inns, Hotels, and Other Eerie Places (2013)
• Haunted Ontario 3: Ghostly Historic Sites, Inns, and Miracles (2014)
• Haunted Ontario 4: Encounters with Ghostly Shadows, Apparitions, and Spirits (2015)
• Full Moons and Black Cats: Everyday Rules to Guide Your Life! Found after searching eBay. Most of his books can be found here but prices can vary by a lot. Plus shipping.
• Haunted Mississauga - Found on GoodReads (2006)

by Terry Boyle and Dundurn Press - Terry Boyle

The community has lost its foremost expert on the spirit world.

On Monday, July 11 Muskoka Parry Sound author, historian and teacher Terry Boyle died. His wife and family will fondly remember the Burk’s Falls resident.

Boyle was the author of multiple books including his Haunted Canada series where various locations are explored by him and documented. He also hosted Creepy Canada, which ran on Discovery Channel from 2002 to 2006.

He was a prolific community speaker having given talks over the years at numerous local libraries.

In an interview in late 2015, Boyle told the Almaguin News that he often finds people believe the topic of ghosts to be an uncomfortable thing to talk about.

“There’s a lot of people I think are fairly fear based around it,” Boyle said in 2015. “They just don’t want to know or think about it. And it has a lot to do with death and what’s next.”

Huntsville Forester - Haunted Ontario author Terry Boyle dead at 63