Ghost Signs of Toronto

Learn how to spot the fading painted ads that linger on Toronto’s streets and become a ghost sign hunter yourself! Walk along King Street East to explore the city’s Black history through the lives of freedom seekers, entrepreneurs, and activists who risked everything to ensure freedom. Visit the former home of Lucie and Thornton Blackburn, who escaped slavery in the U.S. and later founded Toronto’s first taxi company, and learn about the Underground Railroad Restaurant, one of the city’s first soul food restaurants and a gathering place for Toronto’s Black community. About the Tour Leader Stephan Petar is an award-winning publicist and Heritage Toronto Award winning writer. His passion for ghost signs started at a Doors Open Toronto event in the early 2010s. Since then, he has documented these signs worldwide on his Instagram @GhostsOfCanada from Canada to Greece, France, Sweden and more. A born-and-raised Torontonian, he is passionate about the city’s heritage and architecture. Stephan enjoys wandering Toronto where he always manages to discover something new. Start Point: Sorauren Park Town Square (46 Wabash Ave) Our staff and volunteers will be at the tour's starting location 30 minutes prior to each tour. Please arrive at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the tour to allow time for check-in. Feel free to call us at (647) 542-3450 if you are having trouble finding the start location. End Point: Henderson Brewing (128 Sterling Avenue) Length of Tour: Approximately 90 minutes Distance and Terrain: The route is approximately 1.1 kilometres and mostly takes place on paved city sidewalks and streets, with some non-paved urban parks. Ticket Price and Registration: This tour is provided for $8.00/person. The total cost is $10.05 (includes a $2.05 transaction fee). Please note that space is limited on our tours. You may not be able to join a tour group if you have not registered ahead of time. Cash cannot be accepted onsite. This tour uses individual audio headsets. All registered participants will be provided with an individual headset that will allow you to hear the tour guide throughout the tour.