January 2021

I found these two abandoned houses in the City of Markham, Ontario on a cloudy January day. They were my first explorations of the year. The first house had leaves in the driveway and certainly looked vacant. I observed footprints in the snow that led to the front door, so I was hesitant about approaching. I made my way to the living room windows and peered inside. The living room was empty inside and so I made my way around the back where I found a door was open. There was little of interest inside as the house is neither a heritage property or a mansion.

The second house was located at the end of the same street as the first house. It attracted my attention when I saw it had fencing put up in front of it. It looked like it could still be lived in but the missing hydro meter confirmed that it was vacant. I had no issues finding my way inside this one.

Abandoned Baptist Church in Hamilton, Ontario

January 14, 2021 Talking Walls Photography

Churches

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I could find very little information on this church except that it was built in 1924 in Gothic revival style. The church closed around 2008 and has sat idle ever since. This church replaced an earlier church built in the 1900’s in the same city.

The church was used for community events including Alcoholic’s Anonymous meetings.

I began my exploration in the basement where I found the gymnasium. I could picture community youth playing basketball in this gym. There was a makeshift bed set up with an electric heater plugged in next to it. At first glance, I thought that someone might have been laying underneath the covers. Next to the gym was the kitchen where the women of the parish might serve up their tea and snacks for fundraising. On the table I observed a syringe, tinfoil which had been used for injecting heroin, and what appeared to be blood on the floor.

There were some back rooms which had little of interest, and a male and female bathroom. I should add that the bathrooms absolutely stunk, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d been used for defecating in by whomever was staying here. Fortunately I was alone on this visit.

I found another room with a piano and a certificate presented to the church by the City of Hamilton, congratulating them on their 50th anniversary.

After exploring the basement, I made my way upstairs to where the church was. The pews and stain glass windows have been well preserved for the last 14 years. The altar has been removed.

Exploring A Vacant Baptist Church in Hamilton, Ontario

Burlington Waterfront Property

January 12, 2021 Talking Walls Photography

Abandoned Houses

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This house sticks out among the surrounding properties. The front windows are covered with plywood and the hydro meter has been removed. Perhaps a develop has set their sights upon this property in the Toronto area.

There’s a sun room in the back of the property looking onto Lake Ontario.

The house is now demolished.

abandoned toronto house skyway burlington

Abandoned Ontario Horse Farm

January 4, 2021 Talking Walls Photography

Abandoned Houses

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This was a horse farm that sold for $3,000,000 in 2014. The property had a residential home, outdoor swimming pool and stables. I’m surmising that a developer purchased it, given that it’s in some prime real estate territory.

Heritage records indicate the original house was built circa 1835 and was the location of a Christian Church and graveyard.

The typewritten notebook is dated July 1, 1957. I’ve often wondered if these pages were able to be copied or if someone painstakingly re-typed them. Back in my school days, the teacher would type a master copy onto a purple coloured sheet and then spin off copies using a Mimeograph. The papers smelled marvelous when they were handed out.

While the house has a few nice features in the form of woodwork, the house is trashed and probably due to be demolished.

Thanks to RP_Explorations for the location.