Everyone loves a good story– especially involving their own city. What makes urban legends so powerful is their factor of half-truth. There’s some element to them that has to resonate with the people of a particular place. Otherwise, they never get passed around. We took to Reddit to find out which legends shape Toronto… and we have some questions.

Who’s setting those fires? 🔥

The supposed subject of an Owen Pallet song and billboard famous by the slogan “This Lamb Sells Condos”, Brad Lamb is a real-estate developer with a mysterious track record. Throughout his career, Brad has bought numerous historical and heritage buildings, of which a surprising number allegedly burned down shortly afterward. In 2020, Brad’s project called Wellington House, which converted two heritage homes into condominiums, caught fire shortly after the build finished. Police suspected in their reports that at least one small explosion took place in the building. Licked and consumed by even hotter flames, the building caught fire for a second time just a few days later.

“Brad Lamb arson squad” is the nickname people have given the culprits, who they suspect to be part of an elaborate project to foil the developer, if not Lamb himself. The question is, why would Brad Lamb seek to burn down buildings he had just acquired? Have mercy on the lamb, for he has made a number of mistakes in his career, clashing with the City of Toronto over zoning rules and cancelling multiple large projects. 

There’s nothing better suited to a good urban legend than historical ruins, mixed with light Biblical references. I’m sure we’ll hear more about these burned up sites in the coming years. Ask your local fourteen-year-old Toronto kid what they’ve heard.

hauntedwalk

Troubled bridge or troubled waters? 🎂👻

Stories abound of the bridge on Old Finch Road in Scarborough, which Redditors agree is haunted by the ghost of a young girl. A scenic spot surrounded by trees with a quiet river running beneath, the bridge appears just old and secluded enough to inspire a bit of spooky-talk. 

Some people say a little girl died there on her birthday by falling into the water and drowning. They claim that if you begin singing “Happy Birthday” at night, she’ll rise from the river expecting to eat cake– or the next best thing. Another story claims a girl hung herself from the bridge, causing the image of her hanging to appear in the rearview mirrors of late-night drivers. If you see her figure and choose to ignore it, legend has it she may end up in your back seat. Whichever version of the story you believe, it might be best to avoid this place altogether when it gets dark.

torontosocietyofarchitects

Can Robarts Library be saved? 📚

The University of Toronto’s main research library, John P. Robarts, is said to be sinking… due to a greater number of books than anticipated. Many people think the library is actively on the way down, standing to get totally overtaken by the ground below. That’s an unusual way for a building to go. Apparently, engineers of this library did not design the foundation strong enough to support the weight of all books its floor space allows for. Over time, these book began punching down the floor.

Many students and even some faculty believe in this story. The library has even cut down the number of physical books it houses over the years to delay this sinking. There’s no way to know for sure until the outside doors are half-sunken and unable to open!

Reddit

Are you guys okay?

Wherever you find yourself in the dark and creepy land of the rental market, we hope that you can at least prove the bug-free part of this legend to true. Yeesh.

If you’re from Toronto yourself, have you heard of these urban legends before? If you have friends from the city, make sure to mention Brad Lamb somewhere in your next conversation. Make it organic, of course. As for the Toronto locals, we’ve also heard whispers that there’s a secret tunnel between Fort York and the Sheaf. Make of that what you will….

• Share :