Holly Stewart

There is a frog above the entrance to the James Administration building. Although most students walk by this building every day, it’s an architectural detail that’s easy to miss. If you’ve noticed it, you may be wondering what it has to do with administration or McGill; in reality, it has very little to do with either.

The Medical Building, built in 1872, used to stand where the James Administration building currently does. It burned down in 1907, and a new biology building was built in its place. A small brick structure to the west of the building was constructed to serve as the animal house. While the current structure doesn’t house any laboratories or classrooms, the frog remains intact as a reminder of its original purpose.