What a truly awesome find. After a long day of driving across the GTA to a number of promising locations, having been overcome by burrs and awkwardly encountering a shirtless man and a number of kids smoking pot, I was relatively exhausted.
Upon arrival it was somewhat disheartening to find the entire property double wrapped in chain link, barbed wire and sheet-metal walls. Though a portion of the mill submerged in the river was easily available, it was temporarily occupied by a number of local teenagers swimming.
So I decided to follow the fence. Though it seemed pretty secure, my adventures have taught me that there's always a break somewhere. Sure enough, around the back way and down a pretty sinister hill, a portion of the wall had been torn off entirely and another section of chain link had been cut out.
There was a level of excitement at first but soon I began to question the worth of the trip. Around the back near the river there is an obvious entrance. The strange part is, the frame of the aged doorway has been adorned with colorful feathers and craft glitter. Weird, but lighthearted, right?
The second I step into the open structure, I immediately feel that this will be the location of my demise. There is a massive room with a number of passages off to the right, each totally dark and ominous with a side of dread.
Standing absolutely still for a couple minutes there is no sign of life beyond some songbirds and the sound of my own anxiety. Carefully keeping my back to walls, I start to shoot. Even my true love, the super-wide lens doesn't begin to capture the size of this structure.
The Barber Paper Mill, built in 1837 operated through a number of owners until 1991. Now the 200 acre site is pegged for renovation and the construction of a 14 story condo. I'll assume that means demolition.
Which is why I'm so fortunate I found this when I did. Though it may be one of the most terrifying places on earth, it was a thrill to shoot and a gorgeous gem of Canadian history.