This historic Ontario town has an eerie underground 'ghost mine' that you can explore

If you're looking for an offbeat adventure that will transport you back in time (and one that has a bit of an eerie twist, at that), there's one Ontario town that provides the opportunity to explore deep beneath its streets, taking you nearly 100 years into the area's past.

The Underground Colonial Adit Tour at the Cobalt Mining Museum — named for the eponymous town near Sudbury — gives you a first-hand experience of the world of silver mining, which made the community famous in the early 1900s.

The guided excursion takes visitors through an original subterranean passage that was used when the town of Cobalt was one of the world's most notable producers of silver, with more than 100 mines in operation.

It's a rare window into the working conditions of the mining industry at the time, with experts on site to tell the tales of miners' living and working conditions, which were full of struggle and austerity.

The Cobalt Mining Museum first opened its doors to the public in 1953. Photo from Cobalt Mining Museum Facebook. 

This tour isn't your typical museum visit, that's for sure: It's an immersive experience that takes you into the damp, dark atmosphere of a mine, complete with cool air, dripping rock, and narrow passageways. But what makes the Colonial Adit Tour truly amazing is how authentic it feels.

The tunnel remains almost unchanged from when it was first dug out by hand more than 121 years ago, painting a very raw and genuine picture of the history that shaped Cobalt's mining legacy.

How it all started

Cobalt's silver mining story dates back to 1903.

The tour provides hard hats for head protection, but tour-goers are also encouraged to wear closed-top shoes and warm clothes for a comfortable experience. Temperatures drop to 5 degrees Celsius underground. Photo from Cobalt Mining Museum. 

While working as railway tie contractors at the time, J. H. McKinley and Ernest Darragh spotted tiny metallic glimmers in the rocks on the shore of Loog Lake. Scattered flecks also appeared in the gravel along the water's edge, which were especially noteworthy for their malleability — a characteristic trait of real silver.

The museum is also home to a variety of artifacts that were once found in mine — this tea strainer is part of that collection. Photo from Cobalt Mining Museum. 

A deeper analysis confirmed that this was indeed the precious metal — and a lot of it. 

Around that same period, another tale began weaving itself into local lore. Apparently, a Blacksmith named Fred LaRose accidentally struck a rock while trying to shoo away a pesky fox, breaking it open and revealing — you guessed it — silver.

Silver miners worked in a hazardous environment underground at a time when Cobalt was one of the notable silver producers in the world. Photo from Cobalt Mining Museum. 

These two chance discoveries forever changed the course of the town's history, shaping Cobalt into the mining community it became.

Plan your visit

If you find the old days exhilarating, then you may want to pack your bags for a prolonged visit to Cobalt, Ontario, and not just for the mines. Known as "Ontario's most historic town," it's a national heritage site where visitors can access rare pieces of the past.

Aside from the mining museum, Cobalt is rich with other sites for you to see. Visit the Cobalt Heritage Silver Trail or walk through the Bunker Military Museum to learn more of the history of this town, and the early 20th century generally.

An inside view of the subterranean passage at the Cobalt Mining Museum. Photo from Cobalt Mining Museum. 

Admission is also affordable: The Cobalt Mining Museum charges $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, and is free for children under six.

Note that once you're inside the adit, you'll be facing a unique underground environment where temperatures hover around 5 C, so ensure you're dressed appropriately. Tour guides also recommend sturdy, closed-toe shoes because the conditions of the ground are damp and uneven. All visitors are also provided with hard hats to ensure safety.

So if you're planning a trip to Northern Ontario, don't consider it to be just another stop at a basic museum — you will quite literally get to descend into the past and feel what it was like to live the life of a miner from decades ago.

The Cobalt Mining Museum is located at 14 Silver Street in Cobalt, Ontario.