Ghosthunters

 

Ghosthunters

Today we went in search of the ghosts that inhabit the older buildings that are part of Toronto’s history.

We joined around 40 others who were guided by Stephan Peta to search out the hidden history of Toronto’s ghost signs and advertising relics that ‘reveal how early Canadian commerce used imagery, typography, and emotion to persuade purchases and influence a national identity’. 

We learnt where they are and in so doing have become anointed ghosthunters of cities we live in and visit. He made special mention of both USA and Australia where he said many ghosts hang out! 

Stephan is an award-winning publicist and Heritage Toronto Award-winning writer. He was enthusiastic and passionate about the ghosts of the past though preferred those that had been restored than those in their faded state. 

I personally preferred the less decipherable and not those that have been painted up in order to market an apartment or distillery or a cafe!

 Stephan has documented such signs worldwide on his Instagram @GhostsOfCanada from Canada to Greece, France, Sweden and more. 

 

He certainly loves a walk and talk and we were taken on a ramble through a former industrial area of Toronto. 

He also enjoys discovering something new but old in Toronto! And though he was often lost in the foliage or the building surrounds it all added to our role as ghosthunters!