The former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital originally known as Mimico Hospital for the Insane, or Mimico Asylum is one of the "busiest haunts in Toronto" according to the staff of the Toronto Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society. This is based on the sheer volume of reports they have received from students, construction workers, utility people, former visitors, etc.

Built during the late 1880's, the former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital (now operated by Humber College) is located in Etobicoke Ontario. Despite the college's take over of the site, the design of the original hospital structures remain intact.

While words such as "asylum" tend to conjure unpleasant images in most of our minds, in reality the original hospital and surrounding grounds were a source of pride to it's designers and administrators. It provided the optimum in late 19th century therapeutic care. Postcards (archives of Canadian Psychiatry and Mental Health Services) from the early 20th century show a "village-like" complex, surrounded by trees and flower beds. It is obvious from descriptions that the patients were given the best care available during that particular era, despite the fact that some of these treatments are considered wholly unacceptable by us now. The following is a quote from a former patient: "In terms of meaningful activities and personal relationships, I had lived better when I was a patient (six months in 1968) at the Lake Shore Psychiatric Hospital in Toronto. In the hospital, an attendant made sure that I got up every morning, went to bed at night, took several showers a week, and had three meals a day. In the institution, I also participated in group therapy, attended a daily workshop, and went to the weekly bingos, dances, and movies (run by the hospital). The hospital also had a gymnasium for basketball and volleyball. My stay at the hospital was in the active treatment ward, but even the long term patients on the other two wards seemed to live a more meaningful and productive life than I did when living on my own in the community between 1972 and 1979. Their quality of life was better than that of many chronically ill psychiatric patients who are living in the community today."

by John Martin B.A., M.T.S., M.A.
Schizophrenia Digest, April 1995

 

 

In December 2001 one of our members accompanied by a TGHRS member obtained interior photos of Bldg. H. This building was most recently in use as an out-patient mental health clinic and a drug rehabilitation centre. According to a 1936 site plan (Ontario Archives) it originally housed female patients of Mimco Asylum.

Neither the PRO nor TGHRS members reported anything unusual while taking these photos aside from what may have been a “feminine sounding moan" that was distinctly different from the usual natural sounds associated with an abandoned building.

These selected photos are provided for your interest only - we make no claim that they contain anomalies. These are most likely the last photos of Bldg. H’s interior before it's conversion to use by Humber College. Please be patient as these pages load.

 

In December 2001 one of our members accompanied by a TGHRS member obtained interior photos of Bldg. H. This building was most recently in use as an out-patient mental health clinic and a drug rehabilitation centre. According to a 1936 site plan (Ontario Archives) it originally housed female patients of Mimco Asylum.

Neither the PRO nor TGHRS members reported anything unusual while taking these photos aside from what may have been a “feminine sounding moan" that was distinctly different from the usual natural sounds associated with an abandoned building.

These selected photos are provided for your interest only - we make no claim that they contain anomalies. These are most likely the last photos of Bldg. H’s interior before it's conversion to use by Humber College. Please be patient as these pages load.

 

 

 

For Some Of The "Ghost-like" Activity Reports Received By The TGHRS

Please Click Here

For a comprehensive history on the former asylum please visit

The Former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Project

An excellent - well researched website!