The Atlas Obscura Podcast · Monday, June 29, 2026
After Sir Henry Pellatt lost Casa Loma, the estate underwent various transformations. It served as a luxury hotel, an entertainment venue, and notably, housed secret military research during World War II, with staff disguised as construction workers. Eventually, it evolved into the popular tourist attraction it is today.
“It went through many iterations. There was a luxury hotel, entertainment venue. During World War II, apparently, it held secret military research. The staff of this secret research base would dress up as construction workers so people wouldn't know what they were up to.”
“But pretty quickly, Casa Loma evolved into exactly what it is today. It's a tourist attraction.”
“It's one of Toronto's must-sees. Unless you're, you know, a cranky anti-joiner like me.”