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Went out to Camp Bison Prison Farm in Burwash recently. It was my first time out there and definitely a bit of an experience. To start the walk from the car is a nice 4.5km walk. Most of it is easy going however there're a couple spots where the trail is completely flooded. Rubber boots or wet feet are the two options. I'd seen photos of the prison before, however I didn't think it was as big as it is and as out of place as it is. You come around a corner in the trail and this big red monolith appears in a shallow valley.
 Camp Bison (11 of 11)
I wasn't originally planning on visiting Camp Bison when I did so unfortunately I didn't have anything with me aside from a 50mm lens, my camera, and a tripod. I got a chance to explore almost the whole upstairs however it is very much worth going back with a flashlight and possibly some waders to explore the basement. Of note is the (apparently) very recent alterations made to the prison by the owner. As some of you will remember a few years ago the owner was on the news complaining of trespassers and said on this forum that he has plans for the facility. Part of the 1st floor on the wing beside the power plant has now been locked off and it looked as though some cleaning is occurring and there were signs of brand new insulation being installed.
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Fortunately or unfortunately it was also rather crowded when I went. By my count there was 15 people exploring the building when I was there. I spoke with a few of them who confirmed that they had contacted the owner, paid their $20, and signed their waiver. I think in the future I will pay the $20 because honestly if the owner is actually trying to make a go of it as he appears to be based on the fact that part of the prison is being cleaned and insulated I think he deserves to reap the benefits of his property.
Another interesting thing I noticed in being there and looking back at all the photos I have found is how remarkably well the prison has withstood the test of time. Compared to some of the photos I have found from 2013 the prison is in almost the exact same shape while I've seen many other popular sites having been decimated when UE became "popular". I think the ~10km round trip through the swamp is to blame, keeping out only the most dedicated vandals and scrappers.
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Thanks for the update! I was contemplating whether it was worth paying the money and signing the paperwork to go there "legally". while I'm sure you could get some nice pics and stuff, something about paying someone to see that property, irks me.
One day I got a good camera.
https://www.flickr...hotos/fleetsurbex/ |
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"signs of brand new insulation being installed"???? WTF
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob666/ |
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Posted by rob.i.am
"signs of brand new insulation being installed"???? WTF
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Yep, there were some rolls of fibreglass insulation in one of the rooms on the main floor section that is locked off.
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This kinda makes me wanna go to be honest, giant prison in the middle of forest. Cool stuff.
Into the Fray. https://www.ninjalobster.com/ |
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Posted by Fleeting
Thanks for the update! I was contemplating whether it was worth paying the money and signing the paperwork to go there "legally". while I'm sure you could get some nice pics and stuff, something about paying someone to see that property, irks me.
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I'm in the same boat. I'm also very curious how much the guy bought the prison for in 2014. I might go pull the property records and report back on that. I'd have more of an issue if he was simply just holding an abandoned building and charging people for access. It appears that he at least is trying to improve the building (even if incredibly dubious considering the brick walls are separating, the rebar in the concrete is rusting, and the place is obviously not structurally sound).
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The improvements might be related to the owner offering overnight stays in a 'renovated prison cell' as per his ad: https://www.ontari...Prison-Farm/202181
Here's a lockpick. It might be handy if you, the master of unlocking, take it with you. |
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Goes to OP's Flickr account hoping to see more.......
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Gets sucked into a downward spiral of watersports photos!
Good stuff with this one, glad you managed to evade the crowd of people and come out with some great shots and a good experience.
http://www.freaktography.com
https://www.facebook.com/Freaktography https://instagram.com/freaktography www.youtube.com/c/Freaktography |
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thanks for the update, I too have been wondering about the fate of this place. Nice to hear she's still open and in roughly the same shape.
www.tohellandback.net |
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Posted by kingston
Yep, there were some rolls of fibreglass insulation in one of the rooms on the main floor section that is locked off.
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I thought this guy was selling the property...or looking to. It could just be a squatter, like someone using the spot as a hunting/fishing spot.
To the OP, was the owner around when you went in?
[last edit 11/18/2018 2:46 PM by Air - edited 1 times]
"The extraordinary beauty of things that fail." - Heinrich von Kleist |
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http://thefoodmission.com/camp-bison/
Letter to the editor of the Sudbury paper from 2016:
https://www.thesud...-e9cc-38e2210abce5
"Adventure is the respectful pursuit of trouble." - Expedition Overland |
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Posted by Freaktography
Goes to OP's Flickr account hoping to see more.......
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Gets sucked into a downward spiral of watersports photos!
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Watersports? ....ooooooooh, sailing.
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Ethics
