Fans of the hippie era, assemble.
An explorer has revealed the inside of a mansion built in the 1960s and it’s got some very unusual features including a totem pole in the garden and a bizarre spa in the basement.
Professional urban explorer Dave, better known as Freaktography online, where he has over 83,800 followers, stumbled upon the lakefront property in Ontario, Canada.
Credits : Jam Press
Dave believes the property is worth just under £3m ($5m CAD).
And, despite some significant decay, the 1968 home is still a stunning find.
“This incredible abandoned mansion, built in 1968 was purchased for almost $5m,” Dave told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“The lakefront mansion contains an elaborate totem pole on the back of the property, it is a Haida totem pole carved for Canada’s 1967 centennial.
“To mark the 100th anniversary of its confederation, Canada was holding a variety of celebrations, activities, and events across the country at this time.
“[…]… totem pole was erected on the property, which stands at 32ft tall and 18 inches in diameter.
“It is said that a totem pole has a ‘life’ and they are not to be painted or repaired.
“They stand until they fall, which is why the totem pole here is in an advanced state of deterioration.”
According to Dave, a heritage statement has concluded that the existing supports for the pole be removed and it be laid on the ground, where it can slowly decompose and “return to the earth”.
Credits : Jam Press
He has been unable to find any documentation of the origin of the pole but believes it has been there since the property was built.
The ground floor of the property is smothered in light as the windows look out onto the glistening lake, providing the most breathtaking view.
And as Dave makes his way down to the basement, he finds some incredible features including a wine cellar, library, and indoor swimming pool with a mystery gadget.
The tech feature has strange buttons for various options, such as “sun, steam, rain, towel light, a warm breeze, and just ambiance”.
Perplexed, Dave tells viewers: “It’s got this thing where you can hang a towel and then it looks like you can lay down in it.
“I have no idea what’s going on here, what this thing is, or what it does.
“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
While it is unknown what the feature was used for, Dave speculates it may have been a sauna of some kind.
Sharing his findings on YouTube, the tour of the property has over 4,100 views so far.
Kara said: “This house is awesome. One of my favorites ever. The view…I don’t know if I’d ever leave the house–can’t take my eyes off of the water!” [sic].
Credits : Jam Press
Suzanne wrote: “What an outstanding mansion! I would never want to leave this beauty. Views are so lovely. Thanks for the tour.”
Rachel added: “Beautiful home especially that room with the fireplace and overlooking the lake.”
James said: “I’ve never seen a sauna like that before. I looked it up. It is an ‘infrared’ sauna. How are places like this just empty?”
Becki wrote: “Stonework is beautiful! That thing of the pool is interesting. Too bad they couldn’t renovate it as it is a beautiful home.”
Trisha commented: “I’m guessing the sauna also doubles as a steam room plus a tanning something or other? Also even if they’d have left you some wine, wouldn’t you have left it behind?”
