Toronto is a beautiful city visited by a large number of tourists every year. It is filled with numerous landmarks and beautiful spots. Besides this, there are legends passed down through generations. Read more about these legends at itoronto.info.
The Ghosts of Finch Bailey and the Keg Mansion
The old Finch Bailey Bridge in Scarborough was built in 1954 to replace the previous one destroyed by Hurricane Hazel. The bridge was used by drivers crossing the Rouge River, while pedestrians took the Finch Meander Trail nearby.
According to legends, a girl was brutally murdered on the bridge on her birthday. Her mutilated body was discovered the next day. The culprits were never caught. Urban legend says that if you cross the bridge at the witching hour (midnight) while singing “Happy Birthday,” you might hear the girl’s piercing scream.
Another tale recounts ghostly sightings near the railway tracks that pass through Old Finch, where children who died in a school bus accident in the 1970s are said to haunt the area. Many claim their cars stalled near the tracks, headlights flickered, or they saw small handprints appear on their vehicles during nighttime crossings.
Another site shrouded in mystery is the Keg Mansion. The original building was constructed in 1867 when Jarvis Street was home to wealthy residents and lined with mansions. In 1873, Hart Massey and his wife purchased the Keg Mansion and moved in.
During their time there, the family experienced several tragedies. Hart Massey’s only daughter, Lillian, died of illness in the house. Following this loss, a family maid took her own life, and later, their adopted son fell to his death on the mansion’s staircase.
In 1976, the mansion was transformed into a restaurant. Since then, staff and guests have reported hearing the voices of children playing on the upper floors and in the kitchen. Some children even asked their parents if they could play with the boy on the stairs.
In 2016, another tragic event occurred in the mansion. A man broke in, fell from a third-floor stained glass window, and succumbed to his injuries.
Poltergeists in the Distillery District and University College
The Distillery District in Toronto is an iconic area and recognized as a national historic site. It houses the largest collection of Victorian industrial buildings in North America, with 30 structures. Its history dates back to 1831, when James Worts and William Gooderham, brothers-in-law, moved to Toronto to establish a milling company.
Between 1830 and 1890, Gooderham and Worts built Canada’s largest distillery. In 1834, Worts’ wife passed away, and the grieving man drowned himself in a well. According to legend, Worts’ spirit roams the distillery grounds. Locals have reported random door movements and loud banging sounds in certain rooms.
Another haunting tale is tied to a college at the University of Toronto. Many students report hearing strange noises and creaking floors. The college administration neither confirms nor denies these claims, aware of events that took place decades ago.
Ivan Reznikoff was in love with Susan, the daughter of a local businessman. Unbeknownst to him, Susan was secretly involved with Paul Diabolos. According to legend, Diabolos and Reznikoff dueled, resulting in Reznikoff’s death. In 1890, a fire partially destroyed the college. During restoration work, human remains were found beneath the stairs, widely believed to be those of Reznikoff.