Canada’s vast landscape is dotted with ghost towns, silent reminders of bygone eras and abandoned dreams. Once bustling with life and activity, these deserted places now stand as eerie monuments to changing times. In this blog post, I’ll take you through Canada’s most fascinating ghost towns, exploring abandoned places in every province.
Barkerville, British Columbia
Once a thriving gold rush town, Barkerville is now a well-preserved historic site. At its peak in the 1860s, it was the largest city north of San Francisco and west of Chicago. Today, visitors can explore over 100 restored buildings and experience life as it was during the Cariboo Gold Rush. Costumed interpreters bring the town’s history to life, making it a unique blend of ghost towns and museums.
Bankhead, Alberta
Nestled in Banff National Park, Bankhead was a coal mining town that operated from 1903 to 1922. The town was abandoned when the mine closed due to labor disputes and low-quality coal. Visitors can now explore the ruins of the mining operation and learn about the town’s history through interpretive displays. The contrast between the abandoned industrial site and the stunning natural surroundings of Banff makes Bankhead a hauntingly beautiful ghost town.
Uranium City, Saskatchewan
Once a bustling uranium mining town, Uranium City is now a remote ghost town in northern Saskatchewan. Founded in the 1950s during the uranium boom, the town’s population plummeted when the mines closed in the 1980s. Today, fewer than 100 people remain in this isolated community, which is only accessible by air. The abandoned buildings and empty streets are a stark reminder of the boom-and-bust cycles of resource-based economies.
St. Joseph’s Colony, Manitoba
St. Joseph’s Colony, also known as the Antigonish Movement, was an early 20th-century social experiment in cooperative living. Founded by Catholic priests, the colony aimed to help poor farmers through cooperative enterprises. While the colony is now abandoned, its legacy remains in the cooperative movement. Visitors can explore the remnants of this unique social experiment and learn about its impact on Canadian social history.
Creighton, Ontario
Once a thriving nickel mining town, Creighton is now an eerie ghost town in northern Ontario. The town was abandoned in 1986 when the mine closed, leaving behind a well-preserved snapshot of 1980s small-town life. Many buildings still stand, including homes, a school, and community centers. Creighton serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of single-industry towns and the impact of mine closures on communities.
Val-Jalbert, Quebec
Val-Jalbert is a remarkably well-preserved pulp mill town that was abandoned in the 1920s. Located on the shores of Lake Saint-Jean, the town now operates as an open-air museum. Visitors can explore the restored buildings, including the old mill, general store, and period homes. The town’s picturesque setting and well-maintained structures make it one of Canada’s most atmospheric ghost towns.
Centreville, New Brunswick
Centreville was a small farming community that gradually declined throughout the 20th century. The town’s abandonment was a slow process, with families moving away as farming became less viable. Only a few structures remain today, including an old church and some dilapidated homes. Centreville offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by rural communities in Atlantic Canada.
Feltzen South, Nova Scotia
This former fishing village on Nova Scotia’s South Shore was abandoned in the mid-20th century. The village’s decline was due to a combination of overfishing and changing economic conditions. Today, visitors can explore the remnants of old wharves and foundations of fishermen’s homes. The site offers beautiful coastal views and a peaceful atmosphere, making it a popular spot for photographers and history enthusiasts.
Holland Island, Prince Edward Island
While not technically a ghost town, Holland Island is an abandoned farming community that offers a unique glimpse into PEI’s rural past. The island was inhabited until the 1960s, when residents moved to the mainland for better economic opportunities. Today, the island is a nature reserve, but remnants of its farming past can still be seen. Visitors can explore old fields, building foundations, and a small cemetery.
Gaultois, Newfoundland and Labrador
Gaultois is a nearly abandoned outport community on Newfoundland’s south coast. Once a thriving fishing village, its population has dwindled to just a few dozen residents. The town is only accessible by ferry and offers a glimpse into the traditional way of life in Newfoundland’s remote coastal communities. While not completely abandoned, Gaultois represents the challenges faced by many small outports in the province.
Pine Point, Northwest Territories
Pine Point was a lead and zinc mining town that existed for just 25 years, from 1964 to 1988. When the mine closed, the entire town was dismantled, leaving behind only roads and foundations. Today, the site is a vast, empty space in the boreal forest, with little visible evidence of the town that once stood there. Pine Point’s story is a stark example of the temporary nature of some resource-based communities in Canada’s north.
Keno City, Yukon
Once a silver mining boomtown, Keno City is now a semi-ghost town with a small year-round population. At its peak in the 1920s, the town had a population of over 600. Today, fewer than 20 people call Keno City home year-round. Visitors can explore the Keno City Mining Museum and see remnants of the town’s mining past. Despite its small population, Keno City maintains a quirky, end-of-the-road charm that attracts adventurous tourists.
Lower Savage Islands, Nunavut
While not a traditional ghost town, the Lower Savage Islands in Nunavut contain abandoned Inuit settlements that offer insight into the territory’s history. These remote islands were once home to semi-nomadic Inuit communities. Today, visitors can see the stone foundations of ancient dwellings and remnants of more recent abandoned hunting camps. The sites provide a unique perspective on Canada’s Arctic regions’ changing way of life.
Cassiar, British Columbia
Cassiar was once a thriving asbestos mining town in northern British Columbia. The town was built and operated by the mining company and existed from 1952 to 1992. When the mine closed, the entire town was dismantled, with many buildings sold and moved to other communities. Today, only a few remnants of the town remain, including the cemetery and some mining infrastructure.
Rowley, Alberta
Rowley is a unique prairie ghost town that has been partially preserved as a tourist attraction. The town declined in the mid-20th century as railway traffic decreased and young people moved to larger cities. Rather than letting Rowley disappear entirely, local residents have maintained several historic buildings, including a bank, church, and community hall. The town hosts occasional events, including a famous pizza night, making it a living ghost town that bridges the past and present.
Silver Islet, Ontario
Silver Islet was once the world’s richest silver mine, located on a tiny island in Lake Superior. The mining community existed from 1868 to 1884, with workers living in a nearby mainland settlement. The mine was unique for its location and the engineering challenges it faced due to its exposure to the lake’s harsh conditions. Today, visitors can see the remains of the mining operation on the islet and explore the preserved general store on the mainland, which offers a glimpse into 19th-century life in this remote mining community.
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