An eerie, abandoned prison has been discovered complete with old cells and a courtroom.
Surrounded by an unkempt, weed-filled yard, it is just the place to intrigue urban explorer Dave, the man behind the online site Freaktography.
So, when he was invited by the current owner to have a look around last month, Dave grabbed his camera and headed there eager to check out the deserted premises.
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Sharing his trip on YouTube, he quickly amassed over 4,000 views of people wanting to take a peek inside the creepy old cells.
“There’s an eerie silence that follows you through the building,” Dave, from Ontario, Canada, told What’s The Jam.
“The hallways are cold and there is a cool breeze that seems constantly there. It was much colder inside than outside.”
The original jailhouse was built in 1854 in Owen Sound, Ontario.
Additional wings were built in 1869 and 1877, and a courthouse extension came in 1868.
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A year later high jail yard walls were constructed.
Finally, in 1889 a governor’s residence was added, which later served as a women’s prison.
One of the things that struck Dave was how small the cells are.
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There with just enough room for a bed and the tiniest space at the end of it where inmates could perch.
Dave said: “You couldn’t stretch your arms out and if you were a large or very overweight person, you would barely be able to stand without your arms touching the walls!”
Walking through the empty building, Dave discovered old note pads, tables and chairs, and burnt-out candles.
There were also notes written on the decaying walls.
One said: “Hawman ’11, last one in the hole.”
And others: “Don’t flush before 7am,” and “AHA.”
Dave said: “What shocked me were the conditions to which inmates were subjected, the tiny cells, absolutely no privacy.
“I don’t exactly know when they used those cells up until, but knowing this facility was in use up into the early 2000s, it is crazy to imagine, in these modern times, inmates may have been locked up in those tiny cells!”
The courthouse, complete with judges platform, chairs and jury stand, was purchased by the city of Owen Sound in 1960 but they did not buy the jail section until 2013.
Dave said: “The jail and courthouse closed for good in December 2011 and were then used as office space, but it never lasted.”
The city tried several times to sell the properties since declaring them surplus in 2014 and there were plans about nine years ago to convert the space into a care home, and another proposal for an art gallery.
But both parties backed out as the facility did not suit their needs.
Finally in May 2022, the building was sold for $50,000, (£40,000).
Since posting his video on YouTube @Freaktography has gained hundreds of comments from viewers.
Angelo said: “Looks amazing!”
Rachel commented: “It’s nice that somebody’s gonna renovate this beautiful place.”
Sharon wrote: “Wow!! Love the history of his old jail.”
Carla added: “Glad it’s not being torn down! Very cool.”
Another noted: “Huh, I had no idea this was in Owen Sound! Cool place.”
The new owners, from FC Entertainment & Hospitality Inc, plan to convert the jailhouse, courthouse and governor’s residence into an events venue, dining, and entertainment complex, including an interactive museum and shared workspace.
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