Abandoned Ontario Psychiatric Hospital

The Abandoned Ontario Psychiatric Hospital was certainly an epic adventure!  This was one of the first locations of an epic road trip with Zenning with Zay!

After 5 years of construction this massive school-hospital opened its doors in 1951.  This multi-million dollar facility was to serve as a home as well as a school for some 2,400 developmentally challenged children.  Described as a "haven of happiness", the institute would become the home for children who's minds will never mature.  Trained staff would work & play with the children creating an institutionalized world where they could enjoy life.



When opened, the facility boasted 5 miles of connecting corridors, over a mile of underground tunnels, some 10,000 doors & 12,000 windows!  The facility is absolutely massive!  The plans included a fully equipped hospital, infirmary, laundry, power plant, workshops, administrative buildings classrooms & an auditorium.



The facility operated for close to 60 years until the government began to it, along with many others down due to a facility initiative that was passed in 2004.  The initiative was about de-institutionalizing patients & relying on community care.  Although it seemed like a great idea, many of the former patients were put out on the streets to fend for themselves which lead to homelessness & incarceration as many of these people suffer from disabilities & coping skills for real world scenarios.  The facility today is 95% repurposed with many companies now operating out of it.  There is really only one building left on the site that is abandoned.  Its a large building with plenty of excellent photo opportunities however one much not forget the people that once inhabited it.



Abandoned Institutional locations such as the Abandoned Ontario Psychiatric Hospital always make for amazing explores!!

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