Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

User AvatarBuild your avatar
Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
Narcity Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with Narcity Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.
For Pro members only Pro
Summary

Toronto's College & Spadina Has A History Of Music, Aviation & Murder

The Rolling Stones and Amelia Earhart go way back with this downtown neighbourhood.

Toronto's College & Spadina Has A History Of Music, Aviation & Murder

Morgan Cameron Ross

Contributor

Whether you frequented the area or just passed through it on your way to class, the intersection of College St. and Spadina Ave. has been a part of many Torontonians' lives and has a past that is unlike any other.

In this edition of Then&Now, we look back at an area that has had everything from a famous Rolling Stones concert to Amelia Earhart, to even one of Toronto's unsolved murders.

Editor's Choice: The Northern Lights Are Dipping South This Weekend & All Of Canada Could See It

College and Spadina has gone through many changes throughout its history, but one building, the old Knox College building at 1 Spadina Crescent - now The Daniels Building at the University of Toronto - has remained since its opening over 140 years ago.

This spot was also home to Toronto's Spadina Military Hospital, a place where Amelia Earhart volunteered, and during that time in Toronto, saw an airshow that would become a pivotal moment in her aviation career.

While many places would come and go over the years, including the iconic Silver Dollar Room, the intersection is emblematic of just how storied a history one intersection in Toronto can have.

From Your Site Articles
then now
TorontoCanadaNewsNews
  • Lance McMillan
    Associate Photo Editor Lance McMillan is a Toronto based photojournalist who is focused on telling stories visually. Lance's photography has been published in numerous newspapers and magazines including National Geographic and his images have earned him awards including a 2nd Place in the 74th Pictures of the Year International (POYi), a Finalist in the 2019 Travel Photographer of the Year, and an Award of Excellence in the 78th Pictures of the Year International (POYi). To Lance, the power of telling stories through not just the written word, but through images, and the passion he has for doing so, cannot be overstated. This is particularly true when it comes to telling stories about nature and wildlife, striving to provide insight into the vulnerability of our environment and its inhabitants.

12 permanently closed Toronto bars that locals wish would make a comeback

The nostalgia! 🤩

7 haunted places and mystical small towns in Ontario to visit this fall

Spooky season road trip, anyone? 👻

Toronto's speed cameras are causing driving drama — Here's where you could be fined

Some Torontonians really don't like speed cameras! 🫣

Toronto is about to get speed cameras in 49 new spots, despite Ford's plans to ban them

Ford's ban might not come quick enough for drivers in these Toronto spots.

Ontario has a hidden German Christmas village with a twinkly market and mulled wine

It's like a holiday trip to Europe.

Ontario's new Costco is opening this week and here's what we know about the unique store

You can find thousands of products that aren't available at regular warehouses!

This 2.5 hr train from Toronto takes you to an enchanting riverside village with European vibes

It's a magical spot for a Christmas getaway.

University of Toronto is hiring for these jobs and you can make up to $177,000 a year

Positions are available at the St. George, Scarborough and Mississauga campuses.

This underrated BC spot is like a storybook with a castle, waterfall & small-town streets

It's B.C.'s best-kept hidden gem. 💎🤫

7 food recalls issued in Canada recently for yogurt, broccoli, tea, beef jerky and more

You might have these products at home.

The Canada Workers Benefit is increasing — Here's how much you can get in 2026

Plus, when those quarterly advance payments are coming. 👀

These are the grocery stores in Canada people 'never' shop at and Loblaws isn't number one

"Galen has enough money. He doesn't need mine too." 👀

Here's how much Galen Weston Jr. could give every Loblaws shopper — and still be a billionaire

The guy who sold you that $40 steak is worth over $20 billion. 😳