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The ruins around Ontario give the province character, an array of remnants from castles, mills, and other important structures from significant historical periods.
Credit: St. Raphael’s Ruins
From crumbling stone churches and abandoned mills to ghost towns and industrial remnants, these sites blend natural beauty with cultural heritage. Discover some of the most intriguing and picturesque historic ruins scattered across the province.
St. Raphael’s Catholic Church Ruins
The ruins of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church represent one of the earliest Roman Catholic churches in Canada. Declared a National Historic Site in 1999, this exceptional work of architecture carries centuries of history. In the summer months, the gates are open during the day, and a curator is on duty in July and August.
Address: 19998 County Rd 18, Williamstown
Website
Darnley Grist Mill
Tucked away in Crooks Hollow, the Darnley Grist Mill has a history that dates back to the 1800s. It was the first gristmill in the area, and a distillery, general store, woollen mill, agricultural factory, and more were built after that.
Address: Crooks Hollow Rd, Hamilton
Merrickville Ruins
The Merrickville Ruins are a complex of ruins right by the Rideau Canal in Merrickville. It encompasses five mills from the mid-1800s that complement the down-to-earth beauty of its surroundings.
Address: 306 Roadway St, Merrickville
Mill Race Park
Mill Race Park is located in the city of Cambridge, where various concerts are hosted at its stone amphitheatre, which was built with the ruins of the old C. Turnbull Textile Mill. Unlike many of the other ruins on this list, the ruins here are incorporated into the modern-day aspects of the park.
Address: 36 Water St N, Cambridge
Website
Pinhey’s Point Historic Site
Credit: City of Ottawa
Wedged on the banks of the Ottawa River, Pinhey’s Point boasts a 200-year-old manor house and some other surrounding ruins that have become an Ontario Heritage Trust site. It is a popular place to relax and enjoy the waters and the scenic views.
Address: 270 Pinhey Point Rd, Dunrobin
Website
Harris Woollen Mill Ruins
Credit: Rockwood Conservation Area
The ruins of the old Harris Woollen Mill, which crumbled along the banks of the Eramosa River, are located in the Rockwood Conservation Area. The ruins have been fully restored and are popular venues for events and functions such as weddings.
Address: 161 Fall St S, Guelph/Eramosa
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The Corran Ruins
Credit: Visit Wiarton
The Corran was once a huge seventeen-room stone mansion overlooking Colpoy’s Bay. These classic ruins include crumbled stone walls surrounded by vegetation and wildflowers and room to picnic, swim, hike around, and enjoy the Georgian Bay.
Address: 3 8th Ave, Wiarton
Website
Lime Kiln Ruins
The Lime Kiln Ruins are a perfect example of a 19th-century industrial lime kiln in Canada. It was very important in the 1900s, but since its abandonment, after it stopped operating, it has simply remained a beautiful site important to the area.
Address: Lime Kiln Trail, Ottawa
Website
Castle Glen
Castle Glen can be visited on a hike through a classic forest by a small hidden lake. The rugged beauty of the area is the perfect setting for a once-fanciful, enchanting castle that has become humble ruins.
Address: The Blue Mountains
Balaclava
The rural community of Balaclava is located in Renfrew County and is a well-known “ghost town” with an eerie yet intriguing atmosphere. The area houses abandoned landmarks like a water-powered sawmill, and you can tour it and explore what used to be Balaclava.
Goldie Mill Park
Credit: City of Guelph
Goldie Mill Park is home to the Goldie Mill, a three-story limestone building built in the mid-1800s. These ruins have tons of historical and architectural value to the City of Guelph, as well as to Ontario. It was used as a sawmill site for over 100 years, and is set among river willows along the riverbanks.
Address: 75 Cardigan St, Guelph
Website
Hermitage Ruins
The Hermitage Ruins are part of an estate where the stone house and outbuildings still remain as ruins. Situated on 120 acres of land, this area teems with history, and the elaborate structure’s foundations can still be viewed today.
Address: Dundas Valley Conservation Area, 650 Governors Rd, Dundas
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
The Forks of the Credit Provincial Park is part of the Niagara Escarpment biosphere. Aside from its stunning natural beauty and many opportunities for recreational activities, there is a historic mill and dam that has been in the area since 1820 that reminds visitors of the location’s history.
Address: 17760 McLaren Rd, Caledon
Website
Limestone Kilns
The Limestone Kilns are located in the Limehouse Conservation Area, a part of the Niagara Escarpment with plenty of geological features. The ruins are part of the past remnants of the Lime industry in the 1800s, cultural heritage resources that are crucial to the conservation area.
Address: Limehouse Conservation Area, 12169 5th Line, Limehouse
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