The Paranormal Blog

Thanks to everyone who came out this past Saturday (July 22nd, 2006) to The Old Mill/Humber River area seminar! It was a FANTASTIC turnout and everyone seemed to have a decent time... despite the mosquitos.

It was great to see old friends such as Steve Dietrich and his partner Debby Bennett, who take a similar approach to the famed researcher Hans Holzer by combining science and psychic investigation. And Jeff Ostrander who is an independent paranormal investigator that has been working very hard towards bringing a greater understanding to the topic of ghost and hauntings.

And for those who could not attend ... may we present:

The Ghosts Of The Old Mill/Humber River Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The Humber River and valley have long been part of Canadian heritage. First a major thoroughfare and meeting place of Native Canadians, it was later discovered by Etienne Brule on a mission for Champlain in 1615. In 1793, the King's Mill was built on the banks of the Humber River to process lumber for the proposed town of York. Hence, the mill became Toronto's first industrial building. A series of fires forced the mill to be rebuilt three times.

Today the Old Mill is one of the finest hotels, spa, and dining experiences in the city of Toronto.

On October 15, 1954, the most famous hurricane in Canadian history struck Southern Ontario. Hurricane Hazel devastated the area surrounding the Humber River and Old Mill. It was the scene of much tragedy and destruction. Including the death of eight Etobicoke area firemen.

"...It was a gigantic flood with smashed houses and uprooted trees bobbing like corks, everything going down the river so fast. Houses crashing into the sides of other houses, people everywhere screaming. And then you couldn't even hear the screams anymore."
- Volunteer fireman Bryan Mitchell

The most reported apparition in the area is of a young woman dressed in white with long black hair. No one has been able to date or identify her date. However, she appears forlorn and is also reported as frightened.

For years people have reported they've seen strange things in the area...balls of luminous light in the trees, lights that follow or chase the witnesses, animal spirits etc.

One witness also described the apparition of a man who walked through fencing near the mill, only to vanish on the other side.

There are several reports from the Old Mill Subway Station. Some reported by Toronto Transit Commission - TTC staff. These include apparitions, poltergeist phenomena, and one report of possible clairaudience (disembodied voice).

There is much speculation as to why this area is considered haunted and by who.

With an area so rich in history, and with such a storied and tragic past we will probably never know with 100% certainty the who and the why ... but we can say that this area does appear to be a hot-bed for paranormal activity.