Burwash Industrial Farm

Photo by contributor Kal Biro - Posted September, 2006

Plaque Location

The District of Sudbury
The Township of Burwash
4 km south of Estaire (south of Sudbury), turn right onto a military road, which runs west off of Highway 69. Drive for approximately .25 km, turn left and immediately left again.

Coordinates: N 46 15.795 W 80 48.710

Plaque Text

Burwash Industrial Farm was established in 1914 based on the revolutionary premise that low-risk inmates would benefit from the exercise and skills learned while working outdoors at self-supporting institutions. Burwash Industrial Farm accommodated between 180 and 820 minimum and medium security offenders with sentences of three months to two years less a day. Over time, it grew it to occupy 14,100 ha owned and 40,800 ha leased, housing three permanent camp sites, several temporary ones, and a town of prison staff families with a population of 600 to 1,000 people. Prison inmates provided labour to build the entire community and ran an extensive mixed farm, a tailor shop, and a prosperous logging operation. Burwash Industrial Farm was one of the largest reform institutions in 20th century Ontario. It closed in 1975 because of changes in correctional practices.

Related Ontario plaque
Kingston Penitentiary

Related Toronto plaque
Don Jail 1859-1864

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Posted July 31, 2011
I was born in Burwash and have the most happy memories of being raised in a safe place were a community was one happy family , now I drive by on 69 --- our home--- is now bush everything bull dozed away because of political sway at the time because of not being a useful entity as a prison a place where the inmates could get their electicians papers . stationary engineers paper , mechanics papers , learn about animal husbandry , become skilled carpenters , painters , they made clothes for other prisons as well as Burwash etc.now they just languish in cells most of the day.

Posted March 26, 2011
My Dad Charlie Kelly (Ireland) was a guard there in thr early 50s, does anyone remember him,

Posted December 6, 2010
My dad taught school at Burwash,grade 7 and 8. We moved there in 1956 and dad taught til it closed in 75. does anyone know where Elizabeth cook is? Her brother Chris was a friend of Raymond Dore. I would appreciate any leads,
Thear Clark, email@ thear.clark@pei.sympatico.ca

Posted October 24, 2010
I remember as a young man, I made many trips from Toronto to a small town mid-way between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. I knew I was nearing the Burwash farm when I started seeing signs that said, "Do NOT pick up pedestrians". The signs, of course, disappeared a LONG time ago.

Posted October 7, 2010
As a history student in the northern Ontario, i find this site fascinating and wish to visit in the near future !

Posted June 18, 2009
My father-in-law grew up in Burwash, Ontario where his father worked as a prison guard. This is where we also spread his ashes after he had passed away. If anyone is ever out that way look for a lone tree that has a well off to the side and that is where he rests. Peaceful and a beautiful scene. I would like to see more pic's of the old days and see if I can find a photo of my father-in-law and his dad at work.

Posted March 31, 2009
Very interesting.I lived in Burwash from 1947 to 1962. I would like to find A record of people who worked In Burwash. Over the years from start up to closeure. My Dad worked there from 1946 to 1967.
William (Bill) Cartledge
Email address: billdorothy@hotmail.com

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