Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is a modern metropolis that blends historic architecture with urban innovation. However, just outside its bustling streets lies a world of forgotten and abandoned places waiting to be explored by urban adventurers. From industrial ruins to neglected institutions, these sites offer a fascinating glimpse into the past. Here are 10 of the most captivating abandoned places near Toronto.
1. Whitby Psychiatric Hospital (Whitby, Ontario)
The Whitby Psychiatric Hospital opened in 1916 and was one of the largest mental health facilities in Ontario. Closed in 1996, the buildings have since fallen into disrepair. The expansive grounds and eerie, decaying buildings attract urban explorers, though access is restricted and the site is closely monitored. It remains one of the most famous abandoned spots near Toronto.
2. Lynde Shores Conservation Area Ruins (Whitby, Ontario)
Within the Lynde Shores Conservation Area, explorers can find remnants of abandoned structures hidden in the woods, including the ruins of old mills and buildings that once operated along the waterfront. The area offers a blend of nature and forgotten history, perfect for a peaceful yet intriguing exploration near Toronto.
3. R. L. Hearn Generating Station (Toronto, Ontario)
The R. L. Hearn Generating Station is one of Toronto's most iconic industrial ruins. Once a coal-fired power plant, the massive structure was decommissioned in the 1980s. Its enormous interior spaces, massive turbines, and Art Deco design make it a photographer's dream, though access is restricted due to safety concerns. The site has been used as a backdrop for various film productions.
4. Mimico Asylum (Etobicoke, Ontario)
Also known as Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, the Mimico Asylum was built in 1889 and operated until the early 1970s. The eerie, Victorian-style buildings remain largely abandoned, though parts of the grounds have been repurposed by Humber College. The surrounding area and remnants of the asylum still have a haunting presence and are popular among urban explorers.
5. Canoe Landing Shipwreck (Toronto Islands, Ontario)
Nestled on the shores of the Toronto Islands lies the wreckage of a Great Lakes freighter that has been abandoned for decades. The rusted hull of the ship now sits partially submerged in the water, a striking sight for those willing to make the journey by boat or kayak. This site offers a blend of nautical history and urban decay in a peaceful, isolated setting.
6. Don Valley Brick Works (Toronto, Ontario)
Once an active brick manufacturing facility, the Don Valley Brick Works produced materials that helped build many of Toronto’s historic buildings. The factory was abandoned in the 1980s, and nature began to reclaim the site. Though the location has since been repurposed into the Evergreen Brick Works, some parts of the old industrial site remain untouched, providing a glimpse into its abandoned past.
7. Camp 30 (Bowmanville, Ontario)
Located about an hour from Toronto, Camp 30 was originally built as a boys' school and later became a prisoner-of-war camp for German soldiers during World War II. After its closure, the camp was left abandoned, with several buildings still standing, including the dormitories and mess hall. The site has been a subject of preservation efforts, but its decaying structures still attract urban explorers interested in military history.
8. The Guild Inn (Scarborough, Ontario)
Once a luxurious inn and artist colony, the Guild Inn in Scarborough was abandoned for years, with its beautiful gardens and unique sculptures left to decay. While the inn has since been restored and repurposed, parts of the original property, including sculptures and architectural fragments from demolished buildings, remain scattered around the grounds, evoking a sense of forgotten grandeur.
9. Bethesda-Grange Cemetery (Stouffville, Ontario)
Tucked away in a remote corner near Stouffville, Bethesda-Grange Cemetery is an abandoned burial ground with graves dating back to the 19th century. Forgotten and overgrown, the cemetery is a haunting reminder of the region's past. The cracked and weathered tombstones add to the eerie atmosphere of this hidden spot near Toronto.
10. Reesor Farm Ghost Town (Markham, Ontario)
The Reesor Farm was once a thriving agricultural community, but in the 1970s, plans for a new airport led to the abandonment of the area. Though the airport was never built, many farmhouses and barns were left behind, now standing as silent relics of a once-bustling rural area. Some of these abandoned structures can still be found scattered across the countryside near Markham.
Conclusion
The area surrounding Toronto is home to a fascinating collection of abandoned places, each telling its own unique story of industrial decline, rural abandonment, or forgotten history. For those intrigued by the past, these locations offer a glimpse into a world long forgotten, where nature has reclaimed much of what was once built by human hands. However, many of these sites are dangerous or off-limits, so always prioritize safety and respect local laws when exploring abandoned locations.
