Reader Karen Schein asks: Do you know the story behind the grave, north of the abandoned rail bridge over Bayview Avenue? Torontoist answers: If not for the structures visible in the distance—not to mention the absence of tumbleweed, circling vultures, and a Man With No Name—the image below could easily be mistaken for a century-old [...]

With Halloween comes all sorts of spooky spectacles and performances: haunted houses, risqué cabarets, and countless theme-party events. There are also plenty of theatre companies programming work in the spirit of the season—with spirits, perhaps—a mix of classic Halloween fare and new works. Few of these shows are happening in traditional theatres; many independent companies [...]

“If you have ghosts,” sings Roky Erickson, “then you have everything.” If we’re to take the lyrics of this rock icon at face value, then Toronto certainly has everything. Our urban lore is rife with tales of wraiths, poltergeists, hexes, demons, and just plain spooks. Queen’s Park is plagued by a host of harpies. The [...]

Don’t go down the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse steps if you want to stay ghost free. Unbeknownst to many, Toronto is full of landmarks, private homes, and even university buildings that supposedly shelter real live ghosts. From the McLaughlin Planetarium at the ROM to the Queen’s Park vaults, these are the places that keep ghostbusters in [...]

Every Saturday at noon, Historicist looks back at the events, places, and characters—good and bad—that have shaped Toronto into the city we know today. Stone carvers and construction workers, perhaps including Ivan Reznikoff and Paul Diabolos, in front of University College. University of Toronto Archives, 2000-15-2MS. University College has long been one of Toronto’s most [...]

Given Toronto’s 175 years, it’s not not a stretch to wonder about what shadows of the past remain lurking in our darkest corners. Most of us are familiar with well-known spooky spots like the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, Mackenzie House, Queen’s Park, or the Don Jail. But a quick peek at our favourite local ghostly web [...]