Ontario's Forgotten Landmarks: Muskoka Sanitorium

Demolition-by-neglect will soon befall the Muskoka Tuberculosis sanitorium, which since the demise of Whitby Psych, is one of the few derelict medical abandonments near Toronto. This was the main reason for my visit. However, it didn't take much convincing to get me up to this eerily beautiful building.

The level of decay seemed to increase significantly as we made our careful ascent. Unintentional patterns, textures and colours emerged as nature took its toll on the old structure...

The ground had completely frozen over fallen paint-chips in the classroom section of the uppermost level, creating an optical illusion on the floors...

Sanitoriums are known for their numerous windows, and the building's interior was originally painted to meet the light. Even the most gentle of colours, however, took on an almost sinister tone in their current state.

The patients' rooms, although for the most part stripped of their amenities, still managed to maintained unique characteristics...

The entire visit was a mix of emotions for me; the cold, dripping, vacant corridors were filled with the stench of decay, coupled with memories of a healing which the building itself will never receive.

To see the rest of the photo series from this haunting place, as well as high-resolution images of those shown above, please take a look at my flickr slideshow below.