Top 3 Abandoned Places In Brant County

There are so many abandoned places in Brant County! This is a list of the top three abandoned places in Brant County. Browse through all abandoned places in Brant County

1. The Great Shoe Tree

The Great Shoe Tree was all started by a Brantford woman.

The odd "shoe tree" on Green Lane in Paris, just north of Highway 2 began with a pair of Lenora Sherk's grandkids shoes that she nailed to an old tree.

"My husband,Bill,and I were talking and I said. 'You know what we need? A shoe tree!'"

Apparently the Sherks have seen other such trees. According to the Internet, it's a worldwide phenomenon with some trees featuring footwear that's looped over branches by their laces and other, far fewer, trees with shoes nailed to them, such as Lenora's vision.

"The shoes are worn out so people can't get upset and the tree is very old. It's not going to hurt it. It's not even a nice tree."

The tree collected a lot of soles at one point but Lenora says some ecologists went along the road cleaning up and cleared away most of the footwear donations.

"Some people take things too far," she sniffs.

Shoe trees in other locations have become actual tourist attractions and they're always popular with kids.

2. Burtch Correctional Facility

The Burtch Correctional was opened in 1948. It operated until January 2003.

On February 28, 2006 the Six Nations of the Grand River began a demonstration at the Caladonia housing development to protest a land claim near Caledonia.

The government offered them the 153-hectare Burtch site as part of a $125 million settlement for three land claims.

The Six Nations wanted the Burtch facility to be demolished and reverted back to land. The cost of decommissioning and demolishing the site was reported to be $1 million. At the time there were 37 buildings on the site.

In 2008 a First Nations development company wanted to transform the centre into an aboriginal healing and rehabilitation facility.

Today one building remains. On my 2010 visit, the road into the site was occupied by construction workers and visitors had to stop at the gate.

More History:

During World War II, Number 4 Wireless School, R.C.A.F. was
located near the corner of Cockshutt and Burtch Roads. After the
war, the base was converted to Burtch Industrial Farm. Fruit and
vegetables were grown and much of the crop was processed
at the cannery on site. Livestock was also raised here for meat.
Eventually farming ceased and the site was converted to the
Burtch Correctional Centre and inmates did volunteer work
with the community. The correctional centre is now gone.

3. German Woolen Mill

The German Mill was built by George German in about 1860. They also built a second mill closer to what is now Hwy 24. The mill was owned by the Township of South Dumfries and sold in the early 80(a)s.

The mill is privately owned but accessible from the Grand River Valley Trail. There is a parking area on East River Road right at the "bump" sign, and a path takes you down to the rail trail owned by the GRCA.

Many stones have fallen and there is almost no plaster left.

The Mill is picturesque and offers a good view and access to the Grand River.