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Balaclava Ghost Town
Abandoned Ghost Town in Bonnechere Valley, Ontario, Canada
Oct 26 2010
| Recent status | Abandoned |
| Location # | 2102 |
Balaclava began as a mill town built on Constant Creek in 1855. By 1860 a blacksmith shop, hotel and homes were added. The mill was acquired by the Richards family in 1868 who operated the mill for the next 91 years. The mill was rebuilt in 1936 after a good deal of the original mill was destroyed by fire.
A sawdust burner was added around 1903 to comply with anti-pollution legislation. Up until this time, the owners of the mill simply dumped their sawdust into the river.
In 1957, David Dick took over the mill however the supply of timber was very much depleted and the mill was only producing a few thousand board feet a year (compare this with one million board feet a week at the mill's peak). In 1959, the mill was shut down and the store closed(?).
Balaclava isn't totally isolated however, the mill is just east off of a highway (formerly the Opeongo Colonization Road). The owner of the mill is threatening to demolish the mill if people continue to trespass upon the property! This is a warning to you all.
Location: Turn North from Dacre (Highway 132) onto Scotch Bush Rd (County Rd. 513). A sign announces your arrival.
An excellent video from Lio Convoy on Balaclava:http://vimeo.com/10347135
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The mill is mostly collapsed or sunken in, but still managed to check it out inside. Had a chance to checkout another smaller house, but never got the chance to check out the general store as one of the residents basically ran us out of the town for being next to the mill under trespassing. Still a hand full or two people living in balaclava, and are not happy to see new comers.
The old shop across from the mill is really neat, they left behind all kinds of ledgers and information about the mill. A lot of personal items there. My mom told me that in the 70s/80s there was a fire there and my mom helped put it out.
4 years ago
Went there with some family friends and ended up talking to the father of the current owner. He said they planned on demolishing the mill and constructing a hunting camp in its place but ended up changing their minds (thankfully!) The general store has been bought by the owner of the mill and they are currently renovating it.