Barton Building – Mama on the Move

* Disclosure: If you do not like creepy posts, I’d skip this one. Some of the information and images may be disturbing*

This beautiful Victorian building is full of rich history, previously discussed in Part 1. The decaying state of the structure and the ominous graffiti adds to the eerie aesthetic and atmosphere.

As I watched the video my husband had initially sent to me, it indicated it was haunted. And as I was reading and doing research I came across countless videos and articles regarding paranormal investigations and encounters. So it caused me to wonder, are they true?

I already admired the building; Victorian architecture is some of my favourite and the history is intriguing. I knew I wanted to go photograph the outside, even if they allowed people in (which they do not), I wouldn’t have gone inside. I really just wanted to be respectful of the building and it’s former patients/staff.

I prefer not to involve myself in paranormal investigating, but to watch in pure fascination and curiosity from afar.

As I was taking the final shot of the day, the one above, I noticed a Security SUV to my right as I was about to take the photo. I tried not to look nervous, not sure if I’d be in trouble to taking photos, so I politely waved/smiled at the gentleman as he drove by. He smiled and waved back, rounding the corner going toward the back of the building. I quickly took my photo before walking up the hill toward Century Manor. And then I saw him coming back…

Now, my husband was in the car with our daughter toward the back of the building. He was already on high alert, noticing two young guys walking around the building when we got there. They thankfully left me alone. I’m a tough chick, he knows, but he will always be my protector and I insisted to go take the photos alone quickly. So when the Security guard stopped at the curb and rolled down his window, my anxiety spiked. I played it cool, at least I tried.

He asked if he knew me, and I said nope I’m not from around here, that I’m here visiting my husband’s family for the weekend. He said I looked like a friend of his, but he hadn’t seen her for years. As the chit chat went on, I bravely asked “Is this place actually haunted?” He immediately replied “Oh yes it is! I’ve investigated in there myself with my daughter..” He proceeded to tell me that other security guards, who no longer worked there, also had pretty significant experienced; however he wouldn’t go into detail, no matter how hard I prodded for it. I asked if there were shadow people and such. He joked “Well there are shadows, especially if you’re using a flash light you know…” He went on to recount that he’s heard disembodied voices, things moved or thrown, unexplained noises and he’s used some paranormal investigating equipment, he specifically mentioned the Spirit Box. He said he’s had a voice tell him to ‘Shut up’ and his daughter was told ‘Fuck you Whore’. Excuse the profanity used, this is what he told me. He said there have been quite a few paranormal investigations in there.

During our discussion, I had my phone in hand the entire time, and at one point my husband called. I hung up not wanting to be rude; you think with all the true crime documentaries and podcasts I watch I would learn not to care about being rude to a stranger….I digress. I immediately sent him a text, but I already saw his car rounding the corner and he parked right in front of the SUV. When I saw him get out, I knew he was in defensive mode. I smiled at him and let him know the gentleman was kind enough to stop and chat with me about the manor. He relaxed and joined in. The security guard proceeded to tell us a bit about the history and other haunted locations he’s investigated, including Albion Falls, Dunbar Castle, etc. All locations in or around my husband’s hometown. Neat huh!?

I forgot to ask the guy if he had a paranormal investigation Instagram or anything, but we ended on a very pleasant note. We said our goodbyes, I wished him luck on his future paranormal adventures and we left.

I can only imagine what it would have been like to be in that building, in the dark knowing there is no real way to protect yourself. Gives me shivers! He and his daughter are brave let me tell you.

So there you have it folks, it is confirmed by an employed Security guard, that Century Manor is indeed haunted. There is so much content online that if you are curious go check out some videos.

But I had a wonderful experience there; got some great photos and felt fairly calm around the outside of the building, as did my husband. Hopefully it becomes a heritage site in the future, it should be preserved for historic purposes, not just for the lost souls that still reside there.

Next stop on our historic location adventure…I’ll keep ya posted.

Ciao!

***All credit goes to the following websites and the kind security guard I spoke with. There is so much information out there, if you would like to do your own research/investigating***

*Disclosure: If you do not like creepy posts, I’d skip this one. Some of the information and images may be disturbing*

My husband had sent me a video of this location at the beginning of the month. He knows how much I love learning about haunted/historical locations, and this is a hometown location for him. He didn’t even know it existed though! It was a surprise for both of us.

The 529 acre property originally held the Barton Building, built in 1875 and followed an expansion to incorporate East Building (now known as Century Manor) which was constructed in 1884 and Orchard House constructed in 1888, with small buildings added throughout the years including the Inverness. The Hamilton Asylum for the Insane (later renamed Ontario Hospital, then the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital) was opened in 1876. Century Manor had many different functions over those years; including a reception hospital, addictions & forensic psychiatry wing, a school for adolescents and briefly a museum. The hospital was originally intended for “inebriates”, however there was more need of beds for those who were mentally disturbed, which also including inmates.

A photo of what the grounds looked like it’s it’s hay day (Found on asylumprojects.org)

It was predominantly self-sufficient; including a farm – cattle, chickens and pigs as well as fruits and vegetables, a bakery, butcher’s shop, greenhouse, root cellar, milk-processing house, tailor’s shop, sewing room, upholstery shop, fire hall, power house, a fleet of vehicles, skating and curling rinks, a bowling green, tennis courts and chapel. In 1890 it housed approximately 900 patients and employed approximately 120 people. By 1909 the facilities could hold 1,200 patients and staff. They even held The Asylum Ball which was an annual event that invited the elite of Hamilton’s society.

Sadly, like all Asylums of those times, it wasn’t always pleasant within the walls for both patients and staff. Deaths, suicide, murder, mysterious accidents, escape attempts and even a fire broke out within the asylum’s walls/grounds. But that wasn’t the only thing happening; what we now deem as questionable practices and cruel treatments, at those times considered scientific and acceptable. Electroshock therapy, hydrotherapy, lobotomies to name just a few. The living conditions were not ideal and sadly patient abuse was also common; not just among each other but the staff as well.

When opened, it seemed to have good intentions to help those in need; some of the better treatments included pleasant surroundings (being outside), a degree of non-stressful work and time for recovery. However, between over crowding, a large spectrum of different patients (from non-violent to violent, social status, ethnicity and class-based identifiers), abuse, cruel and questionable treatments, even the public would go on Sunday afternoons to have picnics on the hill to ridicule/watch the patients enjoying fresh air. This reflects more on the social and scientific conditions of the times.

Unfortunately, even with the dark, tragic but rich history of the asylum, Century Manor is the only remaining building, the others being demolished (Barton Building 1976 and Orchard Building 1971). Century Manor continued to be in operation as a Day Patient Facility until it finally closed it’s doors in 1995. The structure has been left dilapidated and derelict ever since.

This once beautiful building has since been boarded up, tunnel system filled and littered with ominous graffiti on it’s bricks. Century Manor, although decaying, is still a grand Victorian building to witness in person and remnants of it’s details are still peaking out of the beautiful paint peeled woodwork. The trees that are left around the area are magnificent and gnarled. A sign has been placed in several spots on the building, a warning for those attempting to enter unauthorized; stating it’s dangerous with Hazardous Materials, Authorized Personnel only and respirators and protective clothing required. Basically, it is not safe to be inside.

Still the story continues today with it’s many tales of ghostly encounters. I was even able to confirm this with a Security Guard on site. But that will be for Part 2 of this post….

Ciao!

***All credit goes to the following websites and the kind security guard I spoke with. There is so much information out there, if you would like to do your own research/investigating***

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Tag: Barton Building

Century Manor – Haunted? Part 2

Century Manor