If you want to go ghost hunting this Halloween but don’t want to stray too far from campus, you’re in luck. According to Toronto.com and some convincing ghost stories found around the Internet, there are some pretty haunted places close to campus. Whether it’s Ryerson’s theatre school building or the Keg Mansion on Jarvis Street, Ryerson’s little bubble has a lot to offer. The Ryersonian has compiled a list of the most haunted places close to campus in a map below to get you in the Halloween mood.
- Ryerson Theatre School
Located right on campus, the theatre school building was built in the late 1800s and was used as the Ontario College of Pharmacy building. A lot of students and faculty have reported strange things happening inside the building, most frequently in the McAllister studio. According to torontoghosts.org, people have spotted the ghost of a woman, a cold spot in the studio and unexplained wind while windows were closed.
- The Keg Mansion
Now used as a lavish location for the popular steakhouse chain, the mansion on Jarvis Street was once the home of Hart Massey and his family in the late 1800s. Rumour has it, the women’s washroom on the second floor is haunted. In between steak and dessert, you can walk around the restaurant and to see if you can spot a ghost in the mansion’s great entrance.
- Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
An LGBTQ theatre located on Alexander Street, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is one of three theatres on this list. Who doesn’t love a good haunted theatre where the occasional bump causes a shiver all the way down your spine?
- The Elgin Winter Garden Theatre
The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre is another theatre that is allegedly haunted. After opening in 1913, it was home to vaudeville acts, and many believe the ghosts of the property are of that era. Some have reported strange things happening in the balconies of the theatre, as well as chairs folding and unfolding on their own. Spooky.
- Massey Hall
Located just minutes away from Yonge-Dundas Square, Massey Hall has hosted concerts for more than 100 years. There are reports of a few ghosts calling Massey Hall home. Both Toronto.com and Torontogh
- Mackenzie House
Mackenzie House is the spookiest on the list. Built in 1830, the house was once home to Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie. Mackenzie House is now a museum, and over the years patrons have reported seeing the ghost of Mackenzie himself roaming the property.
- Old City Hall
Old City Hall is just one of those buildings that looks like a ghost belongs inside of it. The rickety floorboards and dark hallways are enough to scare anybody. People have allegedly heard ghostly moans, among other strange things, inside the building, which is now being used as a courthouse.
- Osgoode Hall
Osgoode Hall was built between 1829 and 1832. The building was once visible from the street and is now hidden behind gates and trees. However, inside Osgoode Hall, which now houses the Ontario Court of Appeal, many have reported seeing the ghost of a woman and doors slamming shut on their own.
- St. Michael’s Hospital
The ghost of a friendly nun allegedly haunts the hospital. Though this is the one place on the list that has the highest body count, it seems like St. Michael’s ghosts are the friendliest. If you’re not into hardcore horror, this might be the scare level for you.
There are a lot of really fun, haunted places outside of the Ryerson bubble. Toronto has a lot to offer in the realm of haunted buildings. Remember, ghosts and spirits appear only to the willing. Happy Halloween!
Bianca Guzzo is a fourth year Ryerson journalism student. She enjoys writing entertainment, and arts and life stories.