Mackenzie Street

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Mackenzie Street was the place to go if you were looking to rent some company for the evening.

Starting off Wellington beside the Château and bordering Major's Hill Park, at night young men would look for customers—typically older men in cars who circled the area for their escort of choice.

Because the area was naturally cruisy, men simply looking for sex with no strings—or money—attached would hit the street as well.

Of course, like any cruising area, this behaviour could be dangerous. Father Roger Rinfret picked up two young men in nearby Major's Hill Park and drove them to a motel on March 31, 1980, promising them $20 each for sexual favours. Once in the room, the older boy, Alain McMurtie, stabs and strangles Rinfret to his death, his body found a day later. 

If you know more details about this place, please email info@bankstreet.ca to share dates, facts, images or more.