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DUNIVERSITY OF TORONTO - If you are a resident of Toronto or even an alumni to U of T , then
The next legend has a place in your heart. It is a classic thriller
with greed, lust, betrayal, and a gruesome duel to the death. It is
another case of a RESIDUAL HAUNTING .
It is the oldest and creepiest building located on the university
campus. It was built in 1857 as an example of gothic architecture.
The building is adorned with all the trimmings from gargoyles and
cloisters to it's incredible lead windows and imposing tower. As
author John Robert Colombo stated in his book Mysteries of
Ontario, " If ever a building deserves a ghost of its own, it is this
"pile" . . ". A tortured spirit is reported to roam the halls since
his death in 1858.
Two stone masons were working on the building during it's year
long construction. The master carver of the hideous gargoyles was
a Russian named Ivan Reznikoff. He had been courting a local
publicans beautiful daughter Susie. The other mason was a silver
tongued Greek named Paul Diabolos. He caught the eye of Susie,
and the two men were now competing for her affections and hand
in marriage.
It has been reported that Reznikoff drew the first blow. He had
carved two Gargoyles. The front one was said have Diabolos' face,
with the face of Reznikoff on the other posed laughing and
pointing from behind .
It is rumored that this is when Diabolos formulated a nasty and
hasty plan. He and Susie had been secretly draining Reznikoff's
finances. They had also been caught stealing indiscretions in
numerous places. When Reznikoff caught word of this treason,
he ran to confront Diabolos.
Reznikoff chased Diabolos weilding an axe and swinging wildly.
One swing has left a slash mark in a wooden door just east of
The Roundhouse. The chase finally lead to the tower that was
still unfinished.
The two were perched on scaffolds when Reznikoff, took his last
chop and missed, plunged to the ground. Another version has
Diabolos, waiting in the shadows, stabbing Reznikoff and throwing
his lifeless body down the tower.
Diabolos , being a crafty person , disposed of Reznikoff by
walling the body up in the buildings foundation. Diabolos and
Susie then eloped and were never seen again. The spirit of
Reznikoff still roams the halls in search of a lost love.
In 1890 a fire tore through the building. In the rubble was found
the skeletal remains of a man. The skull is still on display in the
Principals office and is said to be Reznikoff's. The skulls story is
'" strange "; A picture taken in the 1880's raises some validity. The
president of University College, Sir Daniel Wilson, is in the photo
holding the skull.
To this day many of the faculty , staff , and students report some
poltergiest activity. One Student has even communicated with the
spirit . The students have even named a canteen Diabolos's Coffee
Bar as a tribute to the campus ghost
