Toronto is a bustling city of nearly 3 million people—more than 6.7 million if you consider the Greater Toronto Area—but lurking beneath the surface are tales of the supernatural that will chill you to the bone.
With more than 100 reported haunted sites, Toronto has solidified its reputation as a paranormal hotspot. If you live in the city, you’ve likely already been to a couple of these locations without recognizing you’re in one of the most haunted spots in the city.
Here are the top 10 most haunted sites in Toronto that you need to know about.
Casa Loma
The Haunting of Casa Loma: Ghostly Noblemen and Mysterious Footsteps. Casa Loma, the grand Gothic Revival mansion, is famous for its beauty and its spectral residents. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps echoing through the halls, witnessing apparitions of a lady in white, and feeling inexplicable cold spots. The ghost of the mansion’s original owner, Sir Henry Pellatt, is said to wander its luxurious rooms.
The Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Haunted Lighthouse Horror: The Ghost of Gibraltar Point. Built in 1808, this lighthouse on Toronto Islands is one of the city’s oldest buildings. It’s also one of the most haunted. The ghost of J.P. Radan Muller, a lighthouse keeper who was murdered in 1815, allegedly roams the lighthouse, seeking justice for his untimely death. Visitors have reported strange noises and eerie lights emanating from the lighthouse.
Mackenzie House
Ghostly Governor’s Mansion: The Eerie Encounters at Mackenzie House. The former home of Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, is now a museum. Many claim Mackenzie’s spirit still inhabits the house, with reports of unexplained footsteps, phantom piano music, and sightings of his apparition. The house is a hotspot for paranormal activity, especially during the anniversary of his death.
The Hockey Hall of Fame
Haunting at the Hockey Hall of Fame: The Spirit of Dorothea. This historic site is not just a shrine to Canada’s beloved sport. The building is haunted by the ghost of Dorothea, a bank teller who was tragically killed during a robbery when the site was a Bank of Montreal branch. Visitors and staff have reported seeing her apparition and hearing mysterious sounds.
The Keg Mansion
Dining with the Dead: The Haunting of The Keg Mansion. The Keg Mansion, originally the home of industrialist Hart Massey, is now a popular steakhouse. Legend has it that the ghost of a maid who hanged herself in the house after Massey’s daughter’s death still haunts the mansion. Diners and staff have reported seeing her apparition and experiencing other paranormal phenomena.
Old City Hall
Ghouls of Governance: The Ghosts of Old City Hall. Toronto’s Old City Hall is not just a historical landmark but also a haunted site. The spirits of former prisoners who were executed here are said to linger, with frequent reports of disembodied voices, cold spots, and ghostly apparitions.
Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre
Spectral Stage Fright: Ghosts of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre. This historic double-decker theatre is renowned for its ghostly activities. Actors and patrons alike have reported seeing ghostly figures in period clothing, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling sudden chills. The most famous apparition is that of a former stage manager who supposedly keeps an eye on the performances from the afterlife.
High Park
Spirits in the Park: The Haunted Trails of High Park. Toronto’s largest public park is not just a natural oasis but also a hub for ghostly sightings. The spirit of John Howard, the park’s original owner, is said to wander the grounds, along with the ghost of a woman in white who has been seen near Grenadier Pond.
The Don Jail
Phantom Prisoners: The Haunting of The Don Jail. The historic Don Jail, now repurposed, was once the site of numerous executions. It’s no surprise that it’s considered one of Toronto’s most haunted locations. Visitors have reported hearing anguished cries, seeing shadowy figures, and experiencing an overwhelming sense of dread in the former death row area.
University of Toronto
Campus of Shadows: The Haunted Halls of the University of Toronto. The University of Toronto is not just a place of learning but also a place of lingering spirits. Various buildings on campus, such as University College, are rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of students and faculty who met untimely ends. Stories of mysterious footsteps, moving objects, and eerie apparitions are common.
Explore these eerie locations if you dare, but beware—some of these spirits might be more than just urban legends.
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