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

Colonel The Honourable Herbert Alexander Bruce, MD, LLD 1868-1963

Herbert Bruce was born at Blackstock in 1868, and grew up on a farm located on this Port Perry site. In 1893, he graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto. Specializing in surgery, he...

Herbert Bruce was born at Blackstock in 1868, and grew up on a farm located on this Port Perry site. In 1893, he graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto. Specializing in surgery,...

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Chiefswood

Completed in 1856, Chiefswood owes its importance to its architecture and the prominence of the people who lived here. Derived from the popular Italianate style of the Picturesque movement, the...

Completed in 1856, Chiefswood owes its importance to its architecture and the prominence of the people who lived here. Derived from the popular Italianate style of the Picturesque movement,...

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Capture of Ogdensburg 1813

On the morning of February 22, 1813, "Red George" Macdonell of the Glengarry Light Infantry set out from Prescott with a force of some 480 regulars and militia to capture the strong United States...

On the morning of February 22, 1813, "Red George" Macdonell of the Glengarry Light Infantry set out from Prescott with a force of some 480 regulars and militia to capture the strong United...

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Christ Church 1843

The Mohawks, allies of the British during the American Revolution, settled permanently in Canada following that conflict. A party led by Capt. John Deserontyon landed here in 1784 and constructed...

The Mohawks, allies of the British during the American Revolution, settled permanently in Canada following that conflict. A party led by Capt. John Deserontyon landed here in 1784 and constructed...

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Canoe Route to the West

The French River formed a vital link in the historic canoe route via the Ottawa and Mattawa Rivers and Lake Nipissing, which connected the settlements on the St. Lawrence with the upper Great...

The French River formed a vital link in the historic canoe route via the Ottawa and Mattawa Rivers and Lake Nipissing, which connected the settlements on the St. Lawrence with the upper Great...

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Chimney Island (Bridge Island)

During the War of 1812 the St. Lawrence was the life-line of Upper Canada along which virtually all military and civilian supplies were transported from Montreal to Kingston. Fear that the...

During the War of 1812 the St. Lawrence was the life-line of Upper Canada along which virtually all military and civilian supplies were transported from Montreal to Kingston. Fear that the...

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Captain Miles Macdonell

Born in Scotland about 1769, Miles emigrated with his father, 'Spanish' John, and other members of the family to New York 1773. Following the Revolution, they settled near Cornwall at St. Andrews...

Born in Scotland about 1769, Miles emigrated with his father, 'Spanish' John, and other members of the family to New York 1773. Following the Revolution, they settled near Cornwall at St. Andrews...

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Comte de Frontenac

Born in 1622 at the chateau of St. Germain, Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, was a member of the feudal aristocracy and a godson of King Louis XIII. A soldier and courtier, he was appointed...

Born in 1622 at the chateau of St. Germain, Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, was a member of the feudal aristocracy and a godson of King Louis XIII. A soldier and courtier, he was...

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Colonel Thomas Hornor 1767-1834

Born in New Jersey, Hornor first came to Upper Canada in 1793 and visited the unsettled township of Blenheim. Disposing of his holdings in the United States, he emigrated to Blenheim in 1795. That...

Born in New Jersey, Hornor first came to Upper Canada in 1793 and visited the unsettled township of Blenheim. Disposing of his holdings in the United States, he emigrated to Blenheim in 1795. That...

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Charlotte Schreiber 1834-1922

An accomplished British artist who gained prominence in Canadian cultural circles, Charlotte Morrell was born in the County of Essex, England. She studied art in London and, while still a young...

An accomplished British artist who gained prominence in Canadian cultural circles, Charlotte Morrell was born in the County of Essex, England. She studied art in London and, while still a...

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Chatham Blockhouse 1794

On this site a blockhouse was constructed in 1794 by order of Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe. He planned to establish here a small naval arsenal which would form a link in the defences of...

On this site a blockhouse was constructed in 1794 by order of Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe. He planned to establish here a small naval arsenal which would form a link in the defences...

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Capture of the "Somers" and "Ohio"

On the night of August 12, 1814, seventy seamen and marines, led by Captain Alexander T. Dobbs, R.N., embarked in this vicinity to attempt the capture of three armed U.S. schooners lying off...

On the night of August 12, 1814, seventy seamen and marines, led by Captain Alexander T. Dobbs, R.N., embarked in this vicinity to attempt the capture of three armed U.S. schooners lying...

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Carlsbad Springs

In the 1860s, local innkeeper Daniel Eastman offered water from the natural mineral springs in this area for drinking and bathing. His inn was followed by larger hotels where guests were invited...

In the 1860s, local innkeeper Daniel Eastman offered water from the natural mineral springs in this area for drinking and bathing. His inn was followed by larger hotels where guests were invited...

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Christ Church 1819

This church was built in 1818-19 on land donated by Col. William Caldwell. One of the earliest Anglican places of worship in western Upper Canada, it was constructed through the efforts of the...

This church was built in 1818-19 on land donated by Col. William Caldwell. One of the earliest Anglican places of worship in western Upper Canada, it was constructed through the efforts of the...

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Colonel John Prince 1796-1870

Here, on a portion of his former estate, is buried Col. Prince who emigrated from England in 1833 and settled at Sandwich, Upper Canada. As commanding officer of the Essex Militia, he stirred up a...

Here, on a portion of his former estate, is buried Col. Prince who emigrated from England in 1833 and settled at Sandwich, Upper Canada. As commanding officer of the Essex Militia, he stirred up...

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The Craigleith Shale Oil Works 1859

A growing demand for artificial light led to the establishment, in 1859, of a firm headed by William Darley Pollard of Collingwood. He erected a plant here to obtain oil through the treatment of...

A growing demand for artificial light led to the establishment, in 1859, of a firm headed by William Darley Pollard of Collingwood. He erected a plant here to obtain oil through the treatment of...

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Colonel Graham Thomson Lyall, V.C. 1892-1941

Graham Thomson Lyall emigrated from Britain in 1911, eventually settling in Niagara Falls where he worked for the Canadian Niagara Power Company. In 1914, at the start of the First World War,...

Graham Thomson Lyall emigrated from Britain in 1911, eventually settling in Niagara Falls where he worked for the Canadian Niagara Power Company. In 1914, at the start of the First World...

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The "Colored Corps" 1812-1815

When the War of 1812 began, people of African descent in the Niagara peninsular feared an American invasion. They were anxious to preserve their freedom and prove their loyalty to Britain. Many...

When the War of 1812 began, people of African descent in the Niagara peninsular feared an American invasion. They were anxious to preserve their freedom and prove their loyalty to Britain. Many...

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Captain Frederick W. Campbell, V.C. 1867-1915

Born in Oxford County and raised near Mount Forest, Campbell saw active service in the South African War. He went overseas in 1914 with the first Canadian contingent and was posted to the 1st...

Born in Oxford County and raised near Mount Forest, Campbell saw active service in the South African War. He went overseas in 1914 with the first Canadian contingent and was posted to the 1st...

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Church of St. Peter

This Anglican church was begun in 1851 to replace a frame building erected in 1820. Distinguished by the stepped battlements of its facade, the new building was designed in early Gothic Revival...

This Anglican church was begun in 1851 to replace a frame building erected in 1820. Distinguished by the stepped battlements of its facade, the new building was designed in early Gothic...

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