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

Engineers' Road

A wagon road across B.C. - this was the ambitious scheme of the Royal Engineers in 1860 as miners clamored for better access to the Southern Interior. Sent from England, these military engineers...

A wagon road across B.C. - this was the ambitious scheme of the Royal Engineers in 1860 as miners clamored for better access to the Southern Interior. Sent from England, these military engineers...

  • british columbia
  • canada

Government House (Sign missing)

The official residence of Colonel R.C. Moody, R.E., was built near this site in 1859. In 1864 it was altered to become the Government House of the Mainland Colony of British Columbia and was used...

The official residence of Colonel R.C. Moody, R.E., was built near this site in 1859. In 1864 it was altered to become the Government House of the Mainland Colony of British Columbia and was...

  • british columbia
  • canada

O'Keefe Ranch

One of the earliest cattle empires in the Okanagan began in 1867 when Cornelius O'Keefe and Thomas Greenhow drove cattle from Oregon to the north end of Okanagan Lake. In 1868 O'Keefe homesteaded...

One of the earliest cattle empires in the Okanagan began in 1867 when Cornelius O'Keefe and Thomas Greenhow drove cattle from Oregon to the north end of Okanagan Lake. In 1868 O'Keefe homesteaded...

  • british columbia
  • canada

Grand Trunk Pacific

The last spike in Canada's second trans-continental railroad was driven near this site on April 7, 1914. The Grand Trunk Pacific became the most important factor in the dvelopment of Central...

The last spike in Canada's second trans- continental railroad was driven near this site on April 7, 1914. The Grand Trunk Pacific became the most important factor in the dvelopment of...

  • british columbia
  • canada

The Mighty Fraser

Our past, present, and future are linked with the Fraser. The past saw fur-traders, the gold rush of 1858, and early settlers. The present sees water teeming with migrating salmon and highway and...

Our past, present, and future are linked with the Fraser. The past saw fur-traders, the gold rush of 1858, and early settlers. The present sees water teeming with migrating salmon and highway...

  • british columbia
  • canada

Pacific Great Eastern (Sign missing)

The P.G.E. derived its name from England's Great Eastern Railway. Begun by private interests in 1912, it was acquired by the province in 1918 when the builders ran into financial difficulties....

The P.G.E. derived its name from England's Great Eastern Railway. Begun by private interests in 1912, it was acquired by the province in 1918 when the builders ran into financial...

  • british columbia
  • canada

Vernon Military Camp

Trumpets first sounded here in 1908 calling the Okanagan's cavalry to muster. Joined by infantry battalions, thousands of militiamen and cadets from all over the province came to know Mission Hill...

Trumpets first sounded here in 1908 calling the Okanagan's cavalry to muster. Joined by infantry battalions, thousands of militiamen and cadets from all over the province came to know Mission Hill...

  • british columbia
  • canada

Overland Telegraph

Perry Collins, an American, evnisioned a land route to link America and Asia by telegraph. All attempts to lay a cable across the Atlantic had failed. Western Union had completed 800 miles...

Perry Collins, an American, evnisioned a land route to link America and Asia by telegraph. All attempts to lay a cable across the Atlantic had failed. Western Union had completed 800...

  • british columbia
  • canada

Bridging the Cottonwood (Sign missing)

Plans to complete the Pacific Great Eastern Railroad to Prince George in 1921 failed because instable ground prevented use of the proposed bridge site on the Cottonwood River. Thus construction...

Plans to complete the Pacific Great Eastern Railroad to Prince George in 1921 failed because instable ground prevented use of the proposed bridge site on the Cottonwood River. Thus construction...

  • british columbia
  • canada

The Fraser Delta (Sign missing)

About a mile beneath the river in front of you lies the old rock floor of this valley. For over 50 million years the Fraser, interrupted by periods of glaciation and mountain building, has carried...

About a mile beneath the river in front of you lies the old rock floor of this valley. For over 50 million years the Fraser, interrupted by periods of glaciation and mountain building, has carried...

  • british columbia
  • canada

Port Moody

Colonel R.C. Moody, R.C., recognized the potential value of Burrard Inlet for military defence. Named in his honour, Port Moody became the western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway....

Colonel R.C. Moody, R.C., recognized the potential value of Burrard Inlet for military defence. Named in his honour, Port Moody became the western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway....

  • british columbia
  • canada

American Railroad

This old bridge and the sections of abandoned grade are mute reminders of the Vancouver, Victoria and Eastern Railway & Navigation Co. A Great Northern subsidiary it was pushed into the promising...

This old bridge and the sections of abandoned grade are mute reminders of the Vancouver, Victoria and Eastern Railway & Navigation Co. A Great Northern subsidiary it was pushed into the promising...

  • british columbia
  • canada

From Fort to Capital (Sign missing)

Before you lies Victoria, first settlement on Vancouver Island. The Hudson's Bay Co., seeking a new western depot, built Fort Victoria in 1843. in the 1860's it prospered as a stepping-stone to...

Before you lies Victoria, first settlement on Vancouver Island. The Hudson's Bay Co., seeking a new western depot, built Fort Victoria in 1843. in the 1860's it prospered as a stepping-stone...

  • british columbia
  • canada
  • rewritebc

Cottonwood House

For over half a century the Boyd family operated this haven for man and beast. Here, weary travellers found lodging, food, and drink. Here, fresh horses were hitched to stagecoaches and miners...

For over half a century the Boyd family operated this haven for man and beast. Here, weary travellers found lodging, food, and drink. Here, fresh horses were hitched to stagecoaches and miners...

  • british columbia
  • canada

J.W. Trutch, 1826-1904 (Sign missing)

Construction of the Alexandra suspension bridge was the greatest achievement of one of British Columbia's first civil engineers, Joseph Trutch, Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works after 1864, he...

Construction of the Alexandra suspension bridge was the greatest achievement of one of British Columbia's first civil engineers, Joseph Trutch, Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works after 1864, he...

  • british columbia
  • canada
  • rewritebc

Salmon! (Sign missing)

This site, on the world's greatest salmon river, lured many pioneer canners in the late 1860's and early 1870's. Pre-eminent was Alexander Ewen, a founder and first president of B.C. Packers, who...

This site, on the world's greatest salmon river, lured many pioneer canners in the late 1860's and early 1870's. Pre-eminent was Alexander Ewen, a founder and first president of B.C. Packers,...

  • british columbia
  • canada
  • rewritebc

The Gulf Islands (Sign missing)

Beyond the rolling farmlands of the Saanich Peninsula lies the Straits of Georgia. Among its myriad Gulf Island sailed such 18th century Spanish and British explorers as Galiano and Vancouver. In...

Beyond the rolling farmlands of the Saanich Peninsula lies the Straits of Georgia. Among its myriad Gulf Island sailed such 18th century Spanish and British explorers as Galiano and Vancouver. In...

  • british columbia
  • canada
  • rewritebc

To the Goldfields

In the 1860's the fabulous Cariboo goldfields were a lure to thousands. Miners, traders, and adventurers, many afoot with wheelbarrows, shared the pioneer route with mule trains, plodding oxen,...

In the 1860's the fabulous Cariboo goldfields were a lure to thousands. Miners, traders, and adventurers, many afoot with wheelbarrows, shared the pioneer route with mule trains, plodding...

  • british columbia
  • canada

Historic Yale

This was the head of navigation on the Fraser River. Founded in 1848, as a Hudson's Bay Company fur post, Fort Yate later became a roaring gold-rush town and for 20 years was the starting point of...

This was the head of navigation on the Fraser River. Founded in 1848, as a Hudson's Bay Company fur post, Fort Yate later became a roaring gold- rush town and for 20 years was the starting...

  • british columbia
  • canada
  • rewritebc

Seat of Government (Sign missing)

New Westminster, named by Queen Victoria in 1859, became the seat of government on the mainland colony of British Columbia which was created in 1858. Following union with the Colony of Vancouver...

New Westminster, named by Queen Victoria in 1859, became the seat of government on the mainland colony of British Columbia which was created in 1858. Following union with the Colony of...

  • british columbia
  • canada