the building was originally the home of knox college, a theological college of the presbyterian church in canada. knox college became affiliated with the university of toronto in 1887, and in 1914 moved to its current location on the west side of king's college circle. during world war i, the building became barracks, and shortly afterward the spadina military hospital. for a period in 1918, amelia earhart worked as a nurses aide at the hospital. it remained a veterans hospital until 1943 when it was acquired by the university of toronto's connaught medical research laboratories, which became one of canada's main centers for the development and manufacture of pharmaceuticals. the building was in disrepair at this point and needed substantial renovations. it was also around this time that the basement was excavated. in the 1960s, it was proposed that this building be demolished to make way for the spadina expressway, which was never built. it became an academic building again in 1972 with the sale and relocation of the laboratories.