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Location DB > Canada > Ontario > Balaclava (Renfrew County) > Balaclava Ghost Town
 Name
Balaclava Ghost Town
 Viewing Options
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 Database Info
created by Mutt on 9/23/2004 1:16 AM
last modified by PhotoSeeker on 6/11/2009 12:02 PM
 Viewability
Publically Viewable Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 Overview
 Description

 Basic Information
Type: Buildings (Ghost Town)
Status: Abandoned
Accessibility: Easy for some buildings
Recommendation: worth the trip
 Physical Information
Address
Route 513 North between Dacre and Eaganville
Balaclava (Renfrew County), Ontario
Canada
Owner:
  • See a map of this location
  •  Hazards
  • unsafe flooring
  • Huge wasp nest on the door to the Blacksmith's shop. Also watch your footing in the sawmill.
  •  Interesting Features
    An easily accessible 1850's water powered sawmill, a large sawdust burning tower, a general store, blacksmith shop and a few other buildings scattered nearby.



     Security Measures
  • Door Buzzer - a huge wasp nest on the door of the blacksmith's shop.
  •  Historical Dates
    Built: 1855
    Closed: 1967
     Required Equipment
     Recommended Equipment

     History
    Balaclava fits the Hollywood version of the 'picture perfect' ghost town; a row of ramshackle buildings with sagging roofs, huddled along a narrow road, while doors and windows creak in the wind. The only thing missing are the tumbleweeds rolling down the middle of the road. The remains of Balaclava also include an impressive old water powered sawmill, one of the last to operate in Ontario. If you look closely, you can still see pieces of machinery and wagon wheels inside the building. The sawmill was built in 1855 and purchased by the Richards family in 1868. Interestingly, the Richards family was taken to court in 1903, on an early piece of anti-pollution legislation. Apparently, the Richards had been using the stream as a disposal unit for all their sawdust. The stream was becoming clogged and another mill, further downstream, complained. The Richards lost and shortly after that, added the huge burner, which still stands today. The Richards family operated the mill until 1957, when they sold it to Donald Dick, Although Balaclava had been a busy industrial and farming centre throughout the latter part of the 19th century, for some reason it was bypassed by the railways. That, along with failing farms and dwindling lumber supplies signalled it's demise. Stubbornly, the mill continued to operate on water power until 1967. When it shut down, Balaclava became a ghost town. There is still one occupied house in Balaclava. Well kept, with brand new sky blue aluminum siding and a large For Sale sign in front, it presents a striking and humourous contrast to the buildings across from it.
    Thanks to Jeri Danyleyko from Ghosttowns.com for the copy
     Media Coverage

     Future Plans

     Stories


    Add your own story
     Photo Galleries
    Click to view gallery
    Mutt's road trip
    Thu, Sep 23rd, 2004
    posted by Mutt
    18 pictures
    Click to view gallery
    Balaclava - summer/05
    Fri, May 26th, 2006
    posted by 350D
    10 pictures
    Click to view gallery
    hedd's first trip
    Tue, Aug 8th, 2006
    posted by hedd
    12 pictures
     


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    Mark all galleries as Seen
     Web Links
    http://www.ghostto...ntario/index.shtml
    http://urbex.mikeo...=gallery_Balaclava
     Contribute

    Edit this Location
     Moderator Rating
    The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.

    Category Rating
    Photography 9 / 10
    Coolness 10 / 10
    Content Quality 9 / 10
     Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Opheliaism on 6/11/2009 2:40 PM.

     Latest Changes
  • on Jun 11 09 at 14:40, Opheliaism validated this location
  • on Jun 11 09 at 12:02, PhotoSeeker changed the following: Web Links
  • on Nov 22 08 at 18:13, Emperor Wang validated this location
  • on Nov 21 08 at 21:39, Mutt made this location public
  • on Aug 7 08 at 22:10, Mutt validated this location
  • on Aug 7 08 at 22:10, Mutt reverted this location to a previous state
  • on Aug 7 08 at 3:44, Steed validated this location
  • on Aug 6 08 at 20:57, KONG changed the following: City
  • on Aug 29 06 at 20:50, Emperor Wang validated this location
  • on Aug 29 06 at 20:11, hedd changed the following: Latitude, Longitude, Co-ordinate Accuracy
  •  Forum Threads about this Location
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     SubjectStarted ByRepliesViewsLast Post
    You must log in for this feature to work.Balaclava.canadiancutie20073141710/6/2009 10:07 PM by Kekumba
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