Here be dragons!
An editorial about exploring and documenting history. This comes from a forgotten (no posts since 2020) site of a Manitoba, Canada, explorer. I couldn’t find a name or anything like social media to help find who they are. Some of you are aware that Canada has never been considered one of the best countries in … Read more
We hear about the grain elevators from Saskatchewan but less often about our own Ontario barns. Those hand built, long standing structures right in our own backyard, not literally in most cases. But, there they are. You don’t need to drive far outside of a city or town in Ontario to find an old barn. … Read more
What happened to Alan L. Brown who ran the websites for OntarioPlaques and TorontoPlaques? http://www.ontarioplaques.com/ and http://torontoplaques.com/ He has disappeared and the sites are gone. He had other sites, intended for school children mainly, and the two sites about historical plaques in Ontario. (First Ontario and then another site to focus on Toronto). But all … Read more
I have heard about the fire in old Toronto. So long ago (before I was born) that I forget the year. But, this postcard says it was 1904, and this is where the fire started. None of those old buildings will still be standing. The others which survived in 1904 are mostly gone too. The … Read more
Maclean’s posted – 11 ghost towns to see before they’re completely gone, in 2012. So it is not a fresh list. There were two in Ontario. I think there are two Nicholson, Ontario’s. I will look into both of these and see what I can find out.
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2001 – Originally posted to Salon, then archived. But, as of today, I could no longer find the post at Salon (searched the site for it). Online and underground Thanks to the Web, the sport of infiltration — creeping through abandoned buildings and unused subway tunnels — is thriving as never before. … Read more
I have been a history fan since the day I first noticed old buildings with the carved and sculpted stonework, the majestic columns and the extras, like gargoyles. My Mother loves antiques. We still have some of the massive pieces of furniture which she told me were called Canadiana, over 100 years old made from … Read more
When does a town or village, become an official ghost town? At what point is it generally accepted or not rude to point out a place as abandoned beyond hope? Swift River Lodge closed in 2009. The owners, a brother and sister, left it when they could not longer run it due to lack of … Read more
If my life had gone differently in my earlier years I think I would have become an architect. I love buildings and all the trimmings. I’m still trying to teach myself all the right names for the parts of buildings. I go out and take photos of old buildings, mainly derelict farm houses here in … Read more
Originally posted to the Barrie Advance – Oct 29, 2009. I don’t know who wrote it, the name wasn’t with the article when I found it. But, I wanted to keep the information saved and available. Welcome to any one of countless chilling experiences from the numerous spooky locales across Simcoe County. These sites may … Read more