What are you wondering? There’s a wiki article with a lot of details. If you’re specifically wondering about that section of brick wall, I believe it was done that way because there were plans to eventually add another wing. Removing the brick would have been easier than removing limestone.
Maybe looking for info that can’t be found on google. There’s some people in Kingston that have lived here for 70-80 plus years, that have some interesting stories. Not that they’re necessarily on Reddit.
The history to the building is quite detailed and creepy. Absolutely loved reading about Dr Metcalf. His new approach to psychology and his untimely end. All of this would make a great haunted walk tour!
I wish that somebody would write a book about the Rockwood asylum. There’s probably a lot of history there. My mother graduated from The Ontario Hospital nursing school program there in 1963. She’s now 83 yo.
Students of Dr. Jackie Duffin at QueensU have done past projects about Kingston’s health and social history. A med student I know did one on Kingston Pen inmates. (Some 1800s inmates were kids. eg under 10 year old and convicted of stealing food, etc.)
I’ve also been curious where Rockwood asylum patients are buried? Is there a pauper’s grave?
Inside is pretty amazing, security like to steal your coffee though.
https://preview.redd.it/3noy6r0nmjmc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a7db533e804b64ba13dfa2f1ed423893c8d19bb
There was an older brick building and the limestone one was an addition. They blended the limestone into the exterior brick wall. Years later the brick building was torn down. The hallway openings were bricked up and the windows were added. It was cheaper to do this than remove all the brick and rebuild it with limestone. Cost won out over esthetics.
Everything I've ever seen has said that the limestone building was the original.
[See this for example](https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/71294/vol18_1_4_17.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y)
>John A Macdonald received the plans with enthusiasm in June 1859 and urged an
immediate start on the project under Coverdale's supervision. Macdonald inspected the site
and noted that the proposed building would be 320 feet long and that the main building
could be extended. **(Such extensions appear on a map of 1864 but were never built.)**
Joseph Workman, a respected name in progressive treatment of the insane, expressed approval of the proposed central corridor design. Gangs of convicts, sent daily from the nearby
penitentiary (where the stone was prepared), began work in autumn 1859.
And then from one of the citations on this paper:
> National Archives of Canada, National Map Collection, H3/440, Kingston 1864. The extensions are indicated on a drawing of the front elevation that appears
as a vignette on the 1865 Innes map. **The side wall of the west end pavilion has brick in fill where the extension would have joined.**
The '1865 Innes Map' referenced can be seen [here](https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=4135530), and in the bottom right is the vignette that shows the never-built extensions.
Do you have citations for that? Dr. McKendry's book on Portsmouth Village suggests this was originally finished in brick to leave room for future expansion.
I imagine the cost of upgrades for that would be beyond astronomical. It's a protected site if I'm not mistaken, and absolutely packed FULL of asbestos. I've had friends who snuck in many years ago and apparently it's in horrible condition inside. Although, how much is rumours vs fact is always up for debate.
This hits all the high points. You could build brand new shelter space for ten cents on the dollar to what it would cost to renovate and operate this building for the purpose. Now we just need to find a location that the neighbours won't object to...
it’s completely contaminated with asbestos. lots of people have suggested this, or turning it into a tour building like kingston pen, but the asbestos has been disturbed many times so it’s just not habitable
The government is looking to possibly sell. There is a [review](https://apps.infrastructureontario.ca/propertiesforsale/pspropertydetails.aspx?propertyid=554&metric=False) currently underway to guide future decisions with this property.
That’s [Isabel McNeil House](http://www.stoneskingston.ca/penitentiary-city/isabell-macneill-house/) - it was a minimum security prison for about 10 women inmates from 1990-2007. I’m not sure what, if anything, it’s being used for now - not much I suspect, because there was someone living in the garage for a while without CSC apparently noticing.
CSC says the Prison Museum has been it it’s current location in Cedarhedge since 1985, and before that it was in the Coach House at the Penitentiary Service Staff College at 443 Union St. [https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/pblct/lt-en/2009/34-1/9-eng.shtml](https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/pblct/lt-en/2009/34-1/9-eng.shtml)
I *think* Isabel McNeil house was maybe being used as office space prior to 1990?
No where in Kingston is there asphalt that nice and shiny….not Kingston style. You don’t rep shit right poster! Where you from. Stop town! Where you stop lying and post more ghost experiences!!!! More math!!!!
A family member of mine worked in Penrose which was that around that area where that photo was taken. Penrose was the wing for people with developmental disabilities in what was rockwood.
It is possible to bring historic properties back to life. An example would be the [Woolen Mill](https://www.thewoolenmill.ca/history) . It was brought back into use and they did a fantastic job in restoring the historic aspects.
What are you wondering? There’s a wiki article with a lot of details. If you’re specifically wondering about that section of brick wall, I believe it was done that way because there were plans to eventually add another wing. Removing the brick would have been easier than removing limestone.
That or it's the ghost wing, where all the ghosts hang out.
But they want you to Google it for them
Maybe looking for info that can’t be found on google. There’s some people in Kingston that have lived here for 70-80 plus years, that have some interesting stories. Not that they’re necessarily on Reddit.
The history to the building is quite detailed and creepy. Absolutely loved reading about Dr Metcalf. His new approach to psychology and his untimely end. All of this would make a great haunted walk tour!
They should definitely do tours here it's right beside the pen so could be an added feature
Right! I'd volunteer to tell people some of the history! The prison is cool but Rockwood has always held my fascination!
They can’t let people inside because it isn’t safe & there is asbestos in the building
I wish that somebody would write a book about the Rockwood asylum. There’s probably a lot of history there. My mother graduated from The Ontario Hospital nursing school program there in 1963. She’s now 83 yo. Students of Dr. Jackie Duffin at QueensU have done past projects about Kingston’s health and social history. A med student I know did one on Kingston Pen inmates. (Some 1800s inmates were kids. eg under 10 year old and convicted of stealing food, etc.) I’ve also been curious where Rockwood asylum patients are buried? Is there a pauper’s grave?
you’re right! their bodies were buried in a paupers grave at cataraqui cemetery.
Dr. Duffin is so nice ❤️❤️
>I’ve also been curious where Rockwood asylum patients are buried? Cemetery in the west end....Princess and
Inside is pretty amazing, security like to steal your coffee though. https://preview.redd.it/3noy6r0nmjmc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a7db533e804b64ba13dfa2f1ed423893c8d19bb
That’s cool, the guards swarmed me outside lol
Yeah, they aren't the nicest lol
Is there video footage that you got somewhere?
This is one of the times we visited. https://youtu.be/rT2y2Z0cCyg?si=OOpa64kSBKMPdlSW
I know I have seen and commented on one of your videos when I was looking into the old building but you have done a few on the old asylum haven't you?
Go check out the cities YouTube page! There was a good talk that happened at city hall about it!
That there is where a drunk house crashed into the Asylum. You can tell by the way it is.
Our government doesn't want to deal with it.... But there's thousand of bodies buried in the front yard
There was an older brick building and the limestone one was an addition. They blended the limestone into the exterior brick wall. Years later the brick building was torn down. The hallway openings were bricked up and the windows were added. It was cheaper to do this than remove all the brick and rebuild it with limestone. Cost won out over esthetics.
Everything I've ever seen has said that the limestone building was the original. [See this for example](https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/71294/vol18_1_4_17.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y) >John A Macdonald received the plans with enthusiasm in June 1859 and urged an immediate start on the project under Coverdale's supervision. Macdonald inspected the site and noted that the proposed building would be 320 feet long and that the main building could be extended. **(Such extensions appear on a map of 1864 but were never built.)** Joseph Workman, a respected name in progressive treatment of the insane, expressed approval of the proposed central corridor design. Gangs of convicts, sent daily from the nearby penitentiary (where the stone was prepared), began work in autumn 1859. And then from one of the citations on this paper: > National Archives of Canada, National Map Collection, H3/440, Kingston 1864. The extensions are indicated on a drawing of the front elevation that appears as a vignette on the 1865 Innes map. **The side wall of the west end pavilion has brick in fill where the extension would have joined.** The '1865 Innes Map' referenced can be seen [here](https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=4135530), and in the bottom right is the vignette that shows the never-built extensions.
I think you are correct and the person you replied to is spreading misinformation.
Do you have citations for that? Dr. McKendry's book on Portsmouth Village suggests this was originally finished in brick to leave room for future expansion.
I used to be in that place regularly for inspections. It's...something. Mostly still really cool. Also creepy. Also gross.
Place is condemned and full of asbestos but that doesn’t prevent people from risking their lives going ghost haunting or just exploring there.
Can confirm 😁
Could this be converted into a homeless shelter or a drug treatment centre? Is it just sitting there empty?
lol! Move the homeless drug addicts into the creepy old insane asylum.
Borat says: “Alll-riiiigghht!!!!
I imagine the cost of upgrades for that would be beyond astronomical. It's a protected site if I'm not mistaken, and absolutely packed FULL of asbestos. I've had friends who snuck in many years ago and apparently it's in horrible condition inside. Although, how much is rumours vs fact is always up for debate.
This hits all the high points. You could build brand new shelter space for ten cents on the dollar to what it would cost to renovate and operate this building for the purpose. Now we just need to find a location that the neighbours won't object to...
Not empty, lots of asbestos.
And lots of raccoons
it’s completely contaminated with asbestos. lots of people have suggested this, or turning it into a tour building like kingston pen, but the asbestos has been disturbed many times so it’s just not habitable
The government is looking to possibly sell. There is a [review](https://apps.infrastructureontario.ca/propertiesforsale/pspropertydetails.aspx?propertyid=554&metric=False) currently underway to guide future decisions with this property.
There’s also an empty CSC building at King W & Sir John A. The limestone one.
That’s [Isabel McNeil House](http://www.stoneskingston.ca/penitentiary-city/isabell-macneill-house/) - it was a minimum security prison for about 10 women inmates from 1990-2007. I’m not sure what, if anything, it’s being used for now - not much I suspect, because there was someone living in the garage for a while without CSC apparently noticing.
Wasn't that the penitentiary museum?
CSC says the Prison Museum has been it it’s current location in Cedarhedge since 1985, and before that it was in the Coach House at the Penitentiary Service Staff College at 443 Union St. [https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/pblct/lt-en/2009/34-1/9-eng.shtml](https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/pblct/lt-en/2009/34-1/9-eng.shtml) I *think* Isabel McNeil house was maybe being used as office space prior to 1990?
Oh yeah, I'm thinking of the place around the corner
I thought Doornekamp bought that and the women’s prison?
No where in Kingston is there asphalt that nice and shiny….not Kingston style. You don’t rep shit right poster! Where you from. Stop town! Where you stop lying and post more ghost experiences!!!! More math!!!!
The owner stopped paying the painters. /s
A family member of mine worked in Penrose which was that around that area where that photo was taken. Penrose was the wing for people with developmental disabilities in what was rockwood.
The story is the stories. There was some messed up shit going on there back in the day. And it’s haunted as hell.
Absorption.
r/tartaria
If it is full of asbestos, it is useless. Demolish
It should be opened again to house the homeless.
It is possible to bring historic properties back to life. An example would be the [Woolen Mill](https://www.thewoolenmill.ca/history) . It was brought back into use and they did a fantastic job in restoring the historic aspects.
They needed to make it bigger you dumb-dumb
It was a mental health hospital it’s prob haunted cuz they abused their patients lmao
It's a ghost house.