Update Sept 24th 2001
Update Sept. 24th 2001: Joint overnight investigation with members of HRG and TGHRS was conducted - areas covered included most of the original structure and grounds. This was a fairly quiet evening, EVP recordings and photos taken showed no anomalies. One member of the TGHRS staff reported hearing scuffling or footsteps in the 'empty' attic area and upon investigation of the sounds complained of the internal sensation of a "tugging" or "pulling" of his chest, which was noted .
Update: Oct. 13th 2001
On October 13th 2001 out of town members of P.R.O and H.R.G booked overnight rooms at the Guild Inn following the Toronto Ghosts & Hauntings Research Society's Anniversary Party and Ghost Conference.
One of the members of H.R.G a 'sensitive' was “bothered“in the middle of the night by what she claimed was the spirit of a young fellow with the distinct features of one blue eye and one brown. Her announcement created quite a stir during the following morning's coffee get-together as P.R.O had previously received reports by a resident of the hotel who had been plagued by strange dreams of a young fellow matching the description given by the 'sensitive.' P.R.O can state with certainty that H.R.G and in particular this member had no prior knowledge of our reports, nor had they been previously published. The description being rare in and of itself seems to defy any sort of random chance or coincidence.
Other notes of interest include an outside report from hotel guests of banging in the early morning hours, the witnessing of door handles turning between adjoining rooms and severe temperature fluctuation. Both guests and P.R.O members who shared rooms on either side had made the logical assumption that the noises and rattling door knobs were coming from each others rooms, however this was not the case.
Close to check out time one of H.R.G's members noticed that her jewellery placed on the dresser and under a pair of gloves was missing.The gloves and a wallet were undisturbed. A thorough search of the room by 5 persons including members of P.R.O yielded nothing. One P.R.O member removed all bed coverings and linens and shook these out over the floor. Again no jewellery. In frustration and following the advice of another H.R.G member, the owner requested aloud to have her jewellery returned. The jewellery was then spotted (as if neatly placed) on the bed which the P.R.O member had thoroughly searched. No one had left the room nor entered. No one had noticed the jewellery's 'reappearance'. Could this have been a purposeful hoax - yes, it is within the realm of possibilities. However, P.R.O will without hesitation vouch for the absolute integrity of all those present in the room at the time.
All of these occurrences including the above account of the one blue eyed - one brown eyed boy occurred on the 6th floor of the new wing.
Update: Feb. 5th 2002
Due to the public closure of The Guild Inn - PRO will no longer be able to pursue active field investigation of this location - however we would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had a personal account to share. These may be submitted through our online ghost reporting form or via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The directors and staff of Para-Researchers Of Ontario would like to express our sincere sadness at the closure of this once grand hotel. The Guild Inn offers an interesting piece of Scarborough history on both a community level and for so many of those who have fond personal memories. However, we are confident that whatever is finally decided upon in regards to the historic structures (those designated heritage sites) and grounds - The Guild will be an enjoyable spot for all once again.
For a complete history on the Guild Inn please see:
The History of the Guild Inn
By: Carole M. Lidgold
(c) 2000 Brookridge Publishing House ISBN # 0-9698244-8-3
Update: March 11th, 2002
The following “ghostly” experiences were recently submitted to PRO - names our withheld for the privacy of witnesses:
“I found your article about the Guild Inn extremely interesting.
Approximately a year and a half ago, I stayed there for two nights while attending a seminar.
I was unaware of its existence until that weekend, but was intrigued by the historic significance of the building and grounds. All we knew at that time was that the rooms that our party were using as the hospitality suite, were used at some point by one of the owners.
Webmaster’s note: The room being referred to is the “Spencer Suite” which is/was located on the 3rd floor.
The first afternoon I arrived I immediately closed the drapes, as is my habit. I then went to supper and spent a few hours in the hospitality suite before retiring to my room for the night. When I re-entered my room (it was on the same floor as the hospitality suite) the drapes were open. No one else had been in the room, so my only conclusion was I had a "visitor". Several members on my party said that they had heard noises when they were in the hall (on other floors) and one said she saw a lady in a long blue dress. I cannot state with certainty that they actually did experience anything.
We also heard noises in the second floor of the building across the driveway. This was during the day and no one else was around.
I sincerely hope that they do re-open the Inn. The food was excellent and it was such a great place to stay.
We were told that we were in the older part of the Inn. That explained the lumpy old mattress. This added to the ambiance of the Inn. The staff at that time were also nice.”
Have you had a similar experience at the Guild Inn? Can you shed some light on who the “lady in blue” may be?
If so, we’d appreciate hearing from you! You may send us your Guild Inn experiences via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or you may use our submissions form by clicking here.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have shared their Guild Inn experiences with us.
Update: October 14th 2006
Guild Inn photos taken October 14th 2006 during the Ghost and Hauntings Investigation classes taught for The Toronto District School Board. Methodology based on the PSICAN Guide Book written by Matthew J. Didier and Sue Demeter - St Clair.
Nothing out of the ordinary was captured or experienced during the TDSB class visit to The Guild Inn. However, the following photos give an excellent idea of the current state of this historical site.
Update: February 2007
Another chilling account from the Guild Inn.
"I have been meaning to send this story in for a long time. But have changed my mind time and time again. It gives me chills just thinking about it. I reconsidered after hearing a paranormal radio program on Saturday night as callers called in talking about their experiences first hand. Here it goes.
On the New Years Eve 1999-2000, my girlfriend and I were staying at the Guild Inn. We were not the only ones in the hotel. As other guests checked in. We were greeted warmly, and I remember we even signed the guest book. I cant remember exactly what room we were in, but I am certain we were on the 3rd floor about the middle of the hall of the new section of the hotel. I remember admiring the big stone arch outside from the window, as this was where the room was facing the park. I admired the artwork that was in the hallway. I remember it as being very quiet, but yet warm and there was a nice musty and musky smell that made you feel that you were home. As the continuation we had our fun, had our little party and watched the New Years Celebration. The room was warm yet, if you went to the window area of the room it was really cold. We did what a normal couple would do in bed. As we were doing what we were doing as a couple there was like a loud boom, boom, boom coming from the wall where our head board was. The head board of our bed was against this wall. I yelled back sorry, for disturbing. As we slept I had this nightmare, at that the time I thought it was a nightmare. I was staring at a blonde women, wearing a red dress, floating above me, just kept on asking me for my soul. I remember it was like a half male and half women distorted. I thought I was just having a dream and then realized a cold wind blowing on my face as it spoke, the womens pupils dilated and turned black. As it asked for my soul again, I my hair was on its back and I yelled out my girlfriend has my soul. It looked at me and growled and looked at her and turned away as if horrified and left through the window of our room. I don t know why but I got up and ran, and looked out the window in the snow and saw footprints one step after another if someone was running but no one was there. I was feeling faint and fell right back in to bed, it was morning when my girlfriend at the time woke me up and told me just get our stuff and lets get out of the place. When I asked her why, she said didn't want to talk about. Till this day she still does not want to talk about."
Our thanks to the witness for contacting us. From the Webmaster: Please note the Asian folkloric overtones of this experience, which make it highly intriguing! I am currently studying Japanese ghost lore and we have noted that as Toronto becomes more and more diverse and cosmopolitan these types of ghost encounters are becoming more frequently reported. Very interesting!
Again this year we are very proud to have been officially invited to host an information booth at the Guild's "Voices of the Guild" day in Scarborough (The Guild Inn) on the ghosts of the Guild Inn, and ghosts and hauntings in general.
This year's event will be held on August 17th 2008. Our table will be open from 10am to 5pm. Please do stop by our information display and say hi to some of our members. This event is free and open to the public--even the parking is free!
The Guild Inn As It Appears Today
This Section Is Scheduled To Be Torn Down
A Sad Reminder Of Its Former Glory
ParaResearchers Endorses Restoration Efforts At The Guild Inn
The Guild Inn, Scarborough Ontario August 2008
A big thank you to everyone who helped manning the tables at this meet & greet, and supporting the Guild Inn!
The following was kindly submitted to us in Spring 2009
I worked at the Guild from 1971, through to 1973 and saw more than a few paranormal activities. My first experience was down in the tunnel, and I had been warned that strange things happened down there....to be honest I thought they were just trying to spook me. Well if I wasn't a believer before, I sure was after this incident. It was in early June, during my evening shift. We were working a banquet in the Bickford/Elm Catalpa rooms. I was asked to go and find another bus boy who was on his break, and we needed him. Traveling through the tunnel was the fastest way to the old wing as we called it. Went to the employees rest area, but didn't find the guy, so I checked in at the front office, and no one had seen him. I requested that if they did to send him down PDQ, as we needed his help cleaning up. On my way back through the tunnel I heard footsteps coming from behind me at a very fast pace, I presumed it was Bob my co worker so I waited for him to catch up. I kept hearing the footsteps, but saw no one, then it happened. All of a sudden the air got very cold, and there right in front of me, by say no more than ten feet was the spirit. I was sure not prepared for what I saw, so being scared I turned and ran....with the spirit following me, this I knew because I could still hear the footsteps gaining on me. Finally I stopped and turned, and the spirit kept going, passing right through me....man was I cold. Then it turned and disappeared right through a solid stone wall. Here is the really strange thing, when I got back there was Bob, he asked me where I had been....I replied that I was looking for him. Then he said he had just come through the tunnel????? How could he have come through the tunnel, when I was in the tunnel and sure did not see him???
Now Bob and I were good friends, so I confided in him as to what had just happened. He said that he had heard what he thought were my footsteps ahead of him. When he sped up to catch me, my footsteps got quicker...then just stopped. Bob got the same cold feeling I had, and he sped up to get out of the tunnel. So that was just the first of a few for us. Had strange things happen in a cottage called Cory Cliff, as well as in the Studio. The manager of the gift shop was a an eccentric old lady, and she told me outright that spirits were running amok in the hotel....especially in the tunnels. My reply to her was what tunnels, I only knew of one tunnel. With that she said come with me, and proceeded down into the tunnel. She went to the very spot where the spirit I had seen go through what I thought was a solid stone wall. Then she said strange things come out of here, this is their passageway to us.
I can't remember the name of the building directly across from the main hotel, but there were many strange things going on there as well. One evening a young girl I knew was setting up there for a meeting the next day. Susan came into the office and asked me if I was busy, which I wasn't. Then she wanted to know if I could help her for a while, I said yes and with some table clothes in hand off we went. Walking across the lawn to the building she said she was afraid to be in there alone. I asked her why, and she said look upstairs at the lights...so I did and said what's the big deal. Susan said she wasn't upstairs, and that the lights were off when she first entered....now they were on, and she heard what she thought were voices coming from upstairs. She left the room just in time to see what appeared to be a man and a woman going up the stairs, then the lights came on....that's when she came to get me.
Unfortunately to turn off the lights, we needed to go upstairs. Now not wanting to appear scared in front of Susan...I had a crush on her, so up I went to turn off the lights, with Susan at the bottom of the stairway. At the top of the stairs I saw 2 spirits standing right where the light switches were...there was no way for me to turn them off, without being very very close to them......something I really wanted to avoid...but couldn't. Now it was about 10 P.M. and when you shut off the lights, secondary partial lighting comes on...when I turned off the lights, the male spirit immediately turned to me....what I saw was nothing but pure evil! His eyes were red as fire and he growled leave us alone NOW....I thought my eardrums were going to explode. Down the stairs I came, and I asked Susan if she was working tomorrow and she said yes day shift. I was also working days, so I suggested finishing the setup in the morning...she agreed as the meeting was not scheduled until 10A.M.. Of course the next morning Tim who was our boss saw us, and wondered why we didn't do this last night as ordered. When I told Tim what happened, he said okay, and left us to finish our work. I went to Tims office when we were done and asked him why he was so understanding. His reply was that he to had seen many spirits during his time here, and they were best left alone.
Many spirits were also reported, and seen in the gardens....particularly in the Maze. Heard of haunting an the 6th, 4th and 3rd floors in the new wing. In the main building rooms 212 and 214 for some reason seemed like a magnet to the spirits. One couple checked in around 7P.M. what we call a late check in, they were in 212. I showed them to their room, and in less than 5 minutes later they were both downstairs at the office, with their luggage, asking for a room change. I explained that we were fully booked, and they requested a hotel near by that was comparable to the Guild. When I asked what had happened, they said oh don't you know??? I sent them over to Inn on the Park. In one of our smaller dining rooms called the Library we had so many reports, I lost count. Lights going on and off, heavy drapes opening or closing with no one around. Who knows, but the funny thing is rooms 212, 214 where right over the library, and the library was right over the place that spirit that chased me went through the wall.
Now I know a bit of the history of the Guild and perhaps the spirits were of some who perished there when it was an army hospital. I also have heard of so called hauntings on the road leading down to the bottom of the bluffs. These usually happened in the late afternoons, or early evening right around dusk. Although a few were reported later in the night when it was totally dark. These revolved around a carriage coming up the hill and a very fast pace. Heard five such reports, and they all sounded very similar, small black carriage pulled by two black horses, They round the curve and barrel on past the people only to disappear. Two sightings in the dark were by guests walking their dogs near the top of the road. The road comes out on the edge of our northwest parking lot. I both cases a carriage with lamps burning barreled past the guest to disappear.... The guests came in and wanted to know where these carriages were going. We never had any carriages at the Guild...so what do we tell them?? Obviously we lied, because to do anything else would certainly spook them, and possibly hurt the Guild.
Our thanks go out to the former staff member who shared these experiences with us. Please note that we have changed the names of the employees mentioned in this report in order to protect their privacy Please contact us if you have had a similar experience or have further information that you may be able to add. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Confidentiality is assured.
In July 2009 the newer hotel section of the Guild Inn was demolished. We hope that in its place something new that would make the Spencers proud will evolve on this wonderful historic site. All photos presented on this page are copyrighted to, and courtesy of photographer Laurie Tossell-Lamonday. These photos may not be reproduced elsewhere in any format without the permission of the photographer.
Our thanks to Laurie for sharing these photos of the demolition of the Guild Inn with our readers.