Stonehill Farm

Nestled east of Duncan, British Columbia between Quamichan Lake and the Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve, Stonehill Farm, an abandoned mansion on Vancouver Island, has a mysterious history shaped by both prosperity and abandonment. Allegedly built on 130 acres by Norman Stone, a son of the Hillcrest Lumber Company founder Carlton Stone, the property was once a testament to success and industry. The sprawling estate includes a once-stately three-story mansion, a pool house, stables, a sawmill, and a collection of outbuildings such as a barn, sheds, a greenhouse, and a rustic cabin. While its prime may be decades behind it, the structures and land remain, slowly yielding to nature’s reclaiming hand, creating a unique blend of decay and resilience that draws urban explorers and photographers alike.

However, Stonehill Farm’s downfall wasn’t gradual but rather the result of bureaucratic constraints. Allegedly, local municipality restrictions forced the original owners to sell after they were required to fund the expansion of Donnay Drive—an endeavor they weren’t prepared to finance. Sold to developers, the property was quickly stripped of its valuable timber, leaving it vulnerable to the elements and vandals alike. Now, with Donnay Drive only half-complete, the estate sits in limbo—a relic of a different era, encapsulated in layers of decay that echo the past while offering a compelling scene for those looking to capture an eerie, forgotten world.

An old stone bridge on the property, slowly being reclaimed by nature.

There are two ways to approach the enigmatic Stonehill Farm. For the first route, park near the 1700 block of Maple Bay Road, where a gated path will lead you into the property. As you walk, the scenery unfolds slowly; old ponds lie quietly by the path, gradually overtaken by nature as turtles, frogs, and insects bring a pulse of life back to these forgotten waters.

The second approach is through the residential neighborhood near the corner of Donnay Drive and Everest Way. Though Stonehill Farm remains private property, local dog walkers frequently wander the grounds, making quiet exploration relatively discreet.

Both paths wind past weathered remnants of farm life—a decrepit chicken coop and what was likely a greenhouse—silent markers of the farm’s bygone days as you draw closer to the haunting silhouette of the mansion.

An exterior view of the front of the mansion.

Stonehill Farm’s mansion stands as the crown jewel of this decaying landscape—a three-story, boarded-up structure that has seen better days yet remains captivating for those drawn to post-apocalyptic aesthetics. Surrounded by crumbling outbuildings, this abandoned mansion on Vancouver Island rests atop a winding driveway, offering a fittingly eerie welcome.

When I arrived here recently for a Halloween family shoot with sheet ghosts, I discovered that I wasn’t alone in my inspiration. Another photographer had already set up, aiming for a similarly haunting theme. This unspoken synergy among artists is a testament to the allure of the mansion’s ambiance; it beckons creatives seeking a unique backdrop for storytelling.

Though the front entrance is boarded up, an enterprising explorer can make their way around the building to the back, where weathered platforms and open walls offer access. With caution, follow the platform on the second level around to the front. This pathway lacks railings, but the reward is the first of four (that I am aware of) murals by the renowned local guerilla muralist, Ms. Mable. Her stunning works grace this property, with this initial mural of Charlie Chaplin setting the tone for what lies within.

“So much closer to being dead, like falling leaves on a concrete bed.”

At the mansion’s back, the overgrown grounds stretch out before you. Here, among the rubble, you’ll find remnants of a hot tub, an old stone hearth room with a striking fireplace, and graffiti that tells stories of its own. Each floor of the mansion holds its share of surprises, from weathered rooms adorned with graffiti to a set of stairs marked with the cryptic words: “So much closer to being dead, like falling leaves on a concrete bed.” Nearby is the second of Ms. Mable’s murals, although it bears signs of recent vandalism.

Inside the mansion, care is essential—especially on the upper floors, where holes in the floor present hazards. The mansion’s atmosphere is a moody, brooding dream for photographers, a place where urban decay mingles with artistry and natural reclamation.

The interior of the Stonehill Farm poolhouse.

Just below this abandoned mansion on Vancouver Island is the pool house, a stark reminder of Stonehill Farm’s former luxury. Where a glistening pool once welcomed guests, there now lies a haunting cavity, filled only with fragments of fiberglass insulation and debris. Open drains, overgrown plants, and an unsettling quiet give the area a deserted, ghostly feel, ideal for photographers aiming to capture an air of desolation.

The dangers here are real—open drains and narrow walkways pose physical hazards, amplifying the post-apocalyptic theme that defines much of Stonehill Farm. The pool house offers a space where one can explore themes of time’s ravages on human constructs, juxtaposing once-luxurious architecture with the brutal indifference of nature’s slow reclamation.

The stables sit just below the pool house, easily accessible and rich with visual stories. Another two murals by Ms. Mable graces the walls here, providing a surprising burst of color and artistic presence amidst the rustic decay. The stables stand as both a relic of the farm’s functional past and a canvas for the Island’s thriving underground art culture. Photographers will find a dramatic blend of industrial and pastoral themes—old wooden beams, crumbling walls, and vivid murals come together to create an aesthetic that’s both tragic and beautiful.

The wheels still turn, but the workers are little more than ghosts today…

Continuing down the path, visitors encounter the old sawmill, a remarkable artifact from British Columbia’s industrial past. Abandoned for decades, the sawmill retains much of its original machinery, rusted but largely intact. Despite years of neglect, the equipment, now overgrown with moss and surrounded by the ever-encroaching forest, still seems capable of springing to life with a squeak and a groan.

The sawmill offers photographers a raw and mechanical backdrop—a snapshot of history frozen in time, standing against the constant evolution of the surrounding forest. The blend of machinery and natural overgrowth speaks to the beauty of obsolescence and the enduring spirit of human enterprise, even as nature seeks to reclaim it.

A short walk from the stables leads to a giant oak tree adorned with swings, a curious addition to the otherwise rugged property. It’s a popular spot for visitors, especially during summer, though the area can get muddy in the wetter seasons. This solitary tree, with swings swaying gently in the wind, offers a whimsical touch to the otherwise desolate landscape. It provides an ideal spot for those looking to capture a sense of innocence or nostalgia, a fleeting moment of playfulness amidst an expanse of decay.

The aptly-named “Water Falls.”

For those willing to venture further, a trail near the mansion’s entrance leads toward the Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve, culminating in a serene waterfall known locally as “Water Falls.” Signs guide the way, and there’s a small bench by the falls, where bamboo and other flora hint at past visitors’ attempts to leave their mark.

The waterfall, surrounded by verdant forest and clear, rushing water, provides a stark contrast to the rest of the estate’s ruinous structures. Photographers can capture a moment of natural purity, highlighting how, even as human constructs decay, the natural world thrives. This part of Stonehill Farm offers a meditative, reflective counterpoint to the mansion’s eerie splendor and the sawmill’s industrial decay.

Scattered across the property are numerous outbuildings and discarded machinery, remnants of Stonehill Farm’s functional past. Rusted tractors, engines, and equipment from the early 20th century lie strewn about like the artifacts of an archaeological site, each piece a testament to the farm’s former vitality. This portion of the farm is a treasure trove for detail-oriented photographers, providing endless opportunities to capture textures, patterns, and the silent stories of a bygone era.

Stonehill Farm is more than an abandoned mansion on Vancouver Island—it’s a landscape of layered histories, where human ambition, decay, and nature’s resilience converge. Its dilapidated mansion, deserted pool house, and forgotten sawmill form a tableau that captures both the melancholy of lost grandeur and the raw, unfiltered beauty of decay. This site invites photographers to document its quiet desolation and haunting allure, to explore the spaces where history lingers, and to capture scenes that seem to stand outside of time itself.