Old Don Jail in Toronto, Ontario, which once housed some of the nastiest criminals in Canada, is opening its reportedly haunted cells for public tours this summer. As part of ‘Doors Open Toronto’, the 145 year old prison will give visitors an urban explorer’s view of the architecturally intriguing building which closed in 1977.
Opened in 1864, the building has been host to a minimum of 34 hangings, yet at one time was called the “Palace for Prisoners” according to the Toronto Star. It will soon undergo renovations to become an administrative wing for the Bridgepoint Hospital.
Although you can sense the ghosts of the imprisoned convicts, the architecture of the penitentiary is eerily fascinating, as you can see in these captivating images of the jail taken by Yokes and posted on the Urban Exploration Resource website.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Haunted Tourism
- Opening up reportedly haunted spaces such as old prisons or asylums to the public for tours has the potential to become a popular sub-genre of tourism.
- Dark History Exploration
- Interest in exploring the dark and sinister past of locations such as old jails, asylums, and hospitals is on the rise.
- Urban Exploration
- Exploring abandoned or off-limits locations in urban areas is a trend that has grown in popularity.
Sectors Adopting This
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Hotels or tour companies can capitalize on the haunted tourism trend by offering packages that feature visits to reportedly haunted locations.
- Entertainment and Recreation
- Attractions such as haunted houses or dark history tours can offer unique and immersive experiences for visitors.
- Photography and Media
- As interest in urban exploration and dark tourism grows, there will be an increasing demand for captivating photos and videos of these locations.
