A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.

Birth of Kiwanis

Kiwanis International, one of the great service organizations of the world, had its origin on January 21, 1915. On this date the state of Michigan issued a charter to a group of business and...

Kiwanis International, one of the great service organizations of the world, had its origin on January 21, 1915. On this date the state of Michigan issued a charter to a group of business and...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Fort Miami

Here, in November 1679, on the Miami River as the St. Joseph was then called, La Salle, the French explorer, built a fort as a base for his western explorations. He awaited the Griffon, the upper...

Here, in November 1679, on the Miami River as the St. Joseph was then called, La Salle, the French explorer, built a fort as a base for his western explorations. He awaited the Griffon, the...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

West Michigan Pike

At the turn of the twentieth century, deep ruts and sand made West Michigan roads nearly impassable. In 1911, the West Michigan Lakeshore Highway Association was founded to promote the...

At the turn of the twentieth century, deep ruts and sand made West Michigan roads nearly impassable. In 1911, the West Michigan Lakeshore Highway Association was founded to promote...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Michigan's First Jewish Cemetery Site

At this site the first Jewish cemetery in Michigan was established in 1848-49. The Jews Society of Ann Arbor acquired burial rights to this land adjacent to what was then the public cemetery....

At this site the first Jewish cemetery in Michigan was established in 1848-49. The Jews Society of Ann Arbor acquired burial rights to this land adjacent to what was then the public...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Under the Oaks

On July 6, 1854, a state convention of antislavery men was held in Jackson to found a new political party. Uncle Tom’s Cabin had been published two years earlier, causing increased resentment...

On July 6, 1854, a state convention of antislavery men was held in Jackson to found a new political party. Uncle Tom’s Cabin had been published two years earlier, causing increased...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Return of Kirtland´s Warbler, The

The Kirtland’s warbler was first identified in 1851 from a specimen collected on Dr. Jared Kirtland’s Ohio farm. The birds originally depended on fire-created young jack pine forests for summer...

The Kirtland’s warbler was first identified in 1851 from a specimen collected on Dr. Jared Kirtland’s Ohio farm. The birds originally depended on fire-created young jack pine forests for summer...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Treaty Of Spring Wells / Treaty of Spring Wells

After the War of 1812, Territorial Governor Lewis Cass recognized the need to ease tensions between the United States and the Native Peoples who had allied with the British during the war. He...

After the War of 1812, Territorial Governor Lewis Cass recognized the need to ease tensions between the United States and the Native Peoples who had allied with the British during the war. He...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

S. S. Pere Marquette 18

At least twenty-nine persons died when this vessel sank in Lake Michigan twenty miles off the Wisconsin coast on September 9, 1910. One of the Ludington carferry fleet, the 350-foot S. S. Pere...

At least twenty-nine persons died when this vessel sank in Lake Michigan twenty miles off the Wisconsin coast on September 9, 1910. One of the Ludington carferry fleet, the 350-foot S. S....

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Petite Pointe Au Sable Lighthouse / Petite Pointe Au Sable Lighthouse

Here the Petite Pointe Au Sable (little point of sand) juts into Lake Michigan. Increased shipping on the lake started after the Civil War, largely due to the expanding lumber industry....

Here the Petite Pointe Au Sable (little point of sand) juts into Lake Michigan. Increased shipping on the lake started after the Civil War, largely due to the expanding lumber...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Beaumont Memorial / American Fur Company Store

On June 6, 1822, Alexis St. Martin (1804-1880), a French Canadian, was accidentally shot in the stomach at this American Fur Company retail store. Dr. William Beaumont, M.D. (1786-1853), army...

On June 6, 1822, Alexis St. Martin (1804-1880), a French Canadian, was accidentally shot in the stomach at this American Fur Company retail store. Dr. William Beaumont, M.D. (1786-1853),...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

The Buick Open

One year after Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club opened in 1957, Waldo McNaught used his unique position as club president and public relations director of the Buick Motor Division of the...

One year after Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club opened in 1957, Waldo McNaught used his unique position as club president and public relations director of the Buick Motor Division of...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal

This canal, conceived at the peak of the era of canal-building, was part of Michigan’s internal improvements program which was announced in 1837. The Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal would make it possible...

This canal, conceived at the peak of the era of canal-building, was part of Michigan’s internal improvements program which was announced in 1837. The Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal would make it...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Furniture Industry

The first cabinet maker in Grand Rapids was William Haldane, who in 1837 set up a shop in his home at the corner of Pearl and Ottawa Streets. During the ensuing decades Grand Rapids attracted...

The first cabinet maker in Grand Rapids was William Haldane, who in 1837 set up a shop in his home at the corner of Pearl and Ottawa Streets. During the ensuing decades Grand Rapids...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Village of Cash

Named after early settler Edward Cash, the village of Cash was founded in 1851. In 1868, seven Cash residents voted to found Watertown Township to govern and serve the quickly growing area. Each...

Named after early settler Edward Cash, the village of Cash was founded in 1851. In 1868, seven Cash residents voted to found Watertown Township to govern and serve the quickly growing area....

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Hartland Burying Ground / Hartland Burying Ground

The first burial in this cemetery occurred in 1840 upon the death of Thomas Hall, a Hartland Township pioneer. Chauncey L. and Robert C. Crouse, who platted the village of Hartland in 1842,...

The first burial in this cemetery occurred in 1840 upon the death of Thomas Hall, a Hartland Township pioneer. Chauncey L. and Robert C. Crouse, who platted the village of Hartland in...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Samuel White Homestead / Colonel Samuel White

This Greek Revival farmhouse, built by Samuel White, shows the influence of the people from Upstate New York who first settled this area. The deed to the property was signed by John Quincy Adams....

This Greek Revival farmhouse, built by Samuel White, shows the influence of the people from Upstate New York who first settled this area. The deed to the property was signed by John Quincy Adams....

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Telluride Hospital

Submitted by @JimStLeger

Submitted by @JimStLeger

    Paden-Powell Girl Guides

    CITY OF HAWTHORN  434 Burwood Road  The first meeting of an Australian Company of Paden-Powell Girl Guides held here 1911 Submitted by @wadekelly

    CITY OF HAWTHORN  434 Burwood Road  The first meeting of an Australian Company of Paden- Powell Girl Guides held here 1911 Submitted by @wadekelly

      Berkeley Fire Department Division of Training and Emergency Operations Center

        Robert Louis Stevenson

        TO REMEMBER ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON  TO BE HONEST TO BE KIND TO EARN A LIT-TLE TO SPEND A LIT-TLE LESS TO MAKE UPON THE WHOLE A FAMILY HAPPIER FOR HIS PRESENCE- TO RE-NOUNCE WHEN THAT SHALL BE...

        TO REMEMBER ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON  TO BE HONEST TO BE KIND TO EARN A LIT-TLE TO SPEND A LIT-TLE LESS TO MAKE UPON THE WHOLE A FAMILY HAPPIER FOR HIS PRESENCE- TO RE-NOUNCE WHEN THAT SHALL...