The Prison Ghost of Burwash, Ontario

Source: DATELINE ZERO

Above Top Secret user ArchaicDesigns had taken a trip to the “ghost town of Burwash, Ontario” in 2005. About all that remains of the ghost town these days are deteriorating structures on the old prison campus. He and his companion spent their time photographing the rooms and the property.

Later, while looking through the photographs, they discovered evidence that one prisoner could still be “in residence” at Burwash. According to ArchaicDesigns, the specter in the photo “resembles a man crouched in the corner with his arms draped over his knees.”

From his post at ATS:

As we ventured through the prison, I friend of mine, who I will refer to as D.L., was snapping away on his digital camera. He took photos of almost every room. When we were looking through the photos shortly after, we discovered one photo with a very peculiar guest — one we have since named the Burwash Ghost.
…
There was about 3 inches of water in the room, it looks like a reflection in the water of a figure huddled in the corner!

A bit about Burwash: The town existed solely to house employees of the prison, called Burwash Industrial Farm, and their families. (Technically, it wasn’t a prison; it was a provincial jail.) The town was self-sustaining; and the inmates spent their time in forced labor for the benefit of the town. For example: the local grocery store sold bread made by the inmates, meat from the farm, and vegetables that were cultivated and gathered by the inmates.

The Industrial Farm was closed in 1973. Because the town, at the time, was in an extremely isolated location, everyone had to move to find work. By the mid-80s, the town had been completely vacated and part of the land was transferred to the Department of National Defence.

According to ArchaicDesigns, as well as a post at another site from someone who had once lived in Burwash, the town itself is no more. According to this album of photos taken at the prison, that structure is still standing as of 2008.

Other than what’s left of the old prison is the cemetery. According to Ontario Abandoned Places:

Around 2007 the cemetery, overgrown and difficult to find, was cleaned up and a sign posted to mark the location. There are an estimated 12-20 prisoners buried here many of whom had no family to bury them properly.

Perhaps the “Old Burwash Ghost” was once one of these family-less, homeless prisoners … who still has no where to go?

…more, in the full post at Dateline Zero