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Haunted Landscapes- Postgeography Exhibition
London, Ontario has a wide area of spaces with incredible historical presence and a haunting past in need of discovery. Through our journey we examined multiple different locations in London and on the outskirts such as Middlesex Centre. Our three primary locations of discovery were, the Cedars residence in Byron area, the Komoka train track and railway museum, the abandoned candy factory on Dundas Street, and the Featherbone Place on Clarence street in the heart of downtown London. Not only do each of these locations have a mysterious presence today, it was interesting to learn how the mysterious presence is linked to each haunting past that spans throughout London’s history. In a post-geographical exhibition we will uncover the history of each of these places with key features as to why they are haunted given what their original use in comparison to the modern day use.
The Cedars
The house on 1266 Riverside Drive more importantly referred to as The Cedars, has a beautiful and haunting past to discover here in London. Since the 1880s this house has been used as an athletic centre, a summer home, and a rental property owned by Drewlo Holdings.(Oatman, 2017) The haunting discovery of this property was found during a visit to the once beautiful, now vandalized home. All doors and windows were destroyed and boarded up, however some very interesting characteristics were still lying around the property. The haunting presence was specifically found inside the home where you could identify the use of the athletic centre as well as the family summer home considering the original structure of both was still in tack. The cold and misty air also added to the haunting presence as we got to know this house and its original people while going room to room sitting in their once beautiful chairs, walking through their bedrooms, peering out at their beautiful view through the cracks of the windows and boards. Currently an original resident of this home, Bruce Lamb is working his hardest to have his childhood home added to the London Heritage Homes list so that more people will be able to experience and see clearer the beauty of this incredible Victorian-era home instead of the damaged and failing property that it comes as today. (Carruthers, 2017)
Haunted Spaces
Featherbone Place
387 Clarence Street in downtown London is the home to London’s oldest working elevator. Originally used this Italianate structure was a corset manufacture for the Canada Featherbone CO. Between the years of 1883 and 2012 Warren Featherbone Co, G.R. Gardener auctioneer, and Nu-Way Co of Canada, London shoe Co, E.& R. shoe stores, Canada Trust, Budgowen custom clothes ltd., Broderick’s hair design, and Bud Gowen antiques. 6 Prior to Gowens passing Jonathan Fyfe-Millar purchased the building. While walking through the building we noticed the incredible architecture from the spiral metal staircase, to the wooden arch accents as well as stone cladding and 1800 style ceilings. This location now holds London heritage status, which creates a haunting presence for future residents and tenants. This location has an incredible amount historical past as it was the home to people who are incredibly passionate about this place. Given that this place now has historical status, the original structure must stay in tact which will create a haunting presence for tenants and residents to come.
Komoka Railway
After visiting the Komoka Railway museum it sparked an interest in knowing the history behind it and how it played a role in its community. In discovering its hunting past, we learnt that not only was the town built around but also functioned off the railway system and was primary reliant on it. Our primary location was looking at the actual tracks in Komoka which is used today fro freight transportation. Furthermore, there is a haunting presence there as you walk along the tracks and feel the vibrations of the freight train. In the late 1800’s the community was struck with multiple tragic accidents that give this railway system such a haunting past. (N.A. 2017) This railway system used to carry passengers but after several accidents from 1886-1986, 100 years difference from the first accident to the last, the railway is solely used as a freight transportation now. On the 100 year anniversary of the first accident, and the year of the last accident, so was born the Komoka Railway Museum. (N.A. 2017) The Shay locomotive, fully restored now stands at the Komoka Railway Museum, showing off these artifacts adds to its haunting presence especially as this railway stands as a historical place that built the town surrounding it. (N.A. 2017)
McCormicks Candy Factory
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The abandoned factory on Dundas street was formerly known as McCormicks Candy Factory and was the home of “the King of Candy” and the business he created. The haunting past of this facility comes from its employees and customers and all that it used to be. In January of 2007 the company shut down and the building slowly became vacant, today it is completely abandoned as well as fairly vandalized to the point yet still holds a lot of character. While walking through the building you can see how the sections were divided to create the once popular candy company factory that employed hundreds of people. Some say that the most haunting part is the amount of damage that has been done to the beloved building. Over the years it has accumulated to $100,000 in damage, which is why we see it so damaged today. (Jerm, 2017)
In conclusion, the London/Middlesex centre is abundant with historical presence that has impacted the way we use and see our particular spaces today. The Cedars residence has haunting past as the first state of the athletic club which transferred into a family home, an original family member still fights to restore its primary structure. The Komoka railway’s haunting past is stereotypical through the many death’s and injuries of passengers and workers as well as it’s incredible impact on the community. McCormick’s Candy Factory was a staple in the London community and its haunting presence of what used to be a top employer of the city gives meaning to its location. One of many reasons as to why the Featherbone place is considered a haunted historical building is because it is Londons oldest working elevator. Between many years this building was used for different purposes and to this day the architecture is still intact and the building itself has heritage status and must remain under specific qualifications. Overall, London is home to such amazing locations that are historically filled with interesting stories that should be discovered by the greater population.
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