A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
Explore the nearly 25,000 worldwide plaques on the Big Map big map screenshot
The most recent plaques:

John A. Macdonald in Hallowell

John A. Macdonald (1815-1891), who became Canada's first prime minister at Confederation, began the study of law in 1830 under George Mackenzie, a prominent Kingston lawyer. Three years later he...

John A. Macdonald (1815-1891), who became Canada's first prime minister at Confederation, began the study of law in 1830 under George Mackenzie, a prominent Kingston lawyer. Three years later...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jacques de Noyon 1668-1745

Jacques de Noyon was the first white man to explore this region. Born at Trois Riviéres, Noyon worked in the fur trade as a coureur de bois. In 1688 he led an expedition beyond Lake Superior into...

Jacques de Noyon was the first white man to explore this region. Born at Trois Riviéres, Noyon worked in the fur trade as a coureur de bois. In 1688 he led an expedition beyond Lake Superior into...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Paris Lee 1831-1904

One of the foremost 19th century arms inventors, Lee was born in Scotland. In 1836 his family came to Canada and settled at Galt. Lee was trained in his father's profession of watchmaker and...

One of the foremost 19th century arms inventors, Lee was born in Scotland. In 1836 his family came to Canada and settled at Galt. Lee was trained in his father's profession of watchmaker...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Justus Sherwood 1747-1798

Born in Connecticut, Sherwood settled in Vermont in 1774. On the outbreak of the American Revolution he was arrested as a Loyalist, but escaped to join the British at Crown Point. He was taken...

Born in Connecticut, Sherwood settled in Vermont in 1774. On the outbreak of the American Revolution he was arrested as a Loyalist, but escaped to join the British at Crown Point. He was taken...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Josiah Blackburn 1823-1890

The son of a Congregationalist minister, Blackburn was born in London, England. After some experience in journalism he immigrated to Canada West (now Ontario) in 1850 and joined the staff of The...

The son of a Congregationalist minister, Blackburn was born in London, England. After some experience in journalism he immigrated to Canada West (now Ontario) in 1850 and joined the staff of The...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

"Jake" Gaudaur 1858-1937

One of the world's greatest oarsmen, Jacob Gill Gaudaur grew up just east of here Atherley Narrows at a time when rowing was one of the most popular sports in North America. In 1892, a crowd of...

One of the world's greatest oarsmen, Jacob Gill Gaudaur grew up just east of here Atherley Narrows at a time when rowing was one of the most popular sports in North America. In 1892, a crowd...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Wallis 1806-1893

This house, "Maryboro' Lodge", was completed in 1837 by James Wallis, a gentleman from "Maryborough", Cork, Ireland, who had emigrated to Montreal in 1832. The following year he and Robert Jameson...

This house, "Maryboro' Lodge", was completed in 1837 by James Wallis, a gentleman from "Maryborough", Cork, Ireland, who had emigrated to Montreal in 1832. The following year he and Robert Jameson...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Josiah Henson (1789-1883)

After escaping to Upper Canada from slavery in Kentucky, the Reverend Josiah Henson became a conductor of the Underground Railroad and a force in the abolition movement. The founder of the Black...

After escaping to Upper Canada from slavery in Kentucky, the Reverend Josiah Henson became a conductor of the Underground Railroad and a force in the abolition movement. The founder of the Black...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Brown's Convention 1858

On May 10, 1858, American abolitionist John Brown held the last in a series of clandestine meetings here at First Baptist Church. Brown planned to establish an independent republic within the...

On May 10, 1858, American abolitionist John Brown held the last in a series of clandestine meetings here at First Baptist Church. Brown planned to establish an independent republic within...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Muir 1838-1914

Born in Dunbar, Scotland, this famous naturalist, whose books and articles played a significant role in the early development of the United States National Park Service, emigrated with his family...

Born in Dunbar, Scotland, this famous naturalist, whose books and articles played a significant role in the early development of the United States National Park Service, emigrated with his...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Jerome Hill 1838-1916

Born near Rockwood, Upper Canada, Hill moved to Minnesota in 1856 settling at St. Paul. Having organized the Red River Transportation Company which provided effective transportation between St....

Born near Rockwood, Upper Canada, Hill moved to Minnesota in 1856 settling at St. Paul. Having organized the Red River Transportation Company which provided effective transportation between St....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Keating c.1786-1849

A sergeant in the Royal Artillery, Irish-born James Keating served with distinction during the War of 1812. His skilful handling of a British field gun forced the Americans to surrender Fort...

A sergeant in the Royal Artillery, Irish-born James Keating served with distinction during the War of 1812. His skilful handling of a British field gun forced the Americans to surrender...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Wesley Dafoe 1866-1944

Born in Bangor Township, Dafoe began his career with the "Montreal Daily Star" in 1883. Two years later he became editor of the "Ottawa Evening Journal" following which he served on the "Manitoba...

Born in Bangor Township, Dafoe began his career with the "Montreal Daily Star" in 1883. Two years later he became editor of the "Ottawa Evening Journal" following which he served on the "Manitoba...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jumbo

Near this site on September 15, 1885, one of the best known and most beloved animals met an untimely death when he was struck by a railway locomotive. Jumbo, the 5900 kg African elephant, had been...

Near this site on September 15, 1885, one of the best known and most beloved animals met an untimely death when he was struck by a railway locomotive. Jumbo, the 5900 kg African elephant, had been...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jeanne Lajoie 1899-1930

Jeanne Lajoie, a dedicated teacher and advocate for the establishment of French schools in Ontario, was born in Lefaivre, near Hawkesbury, in 1899. In 1923, Lajoie helped a group of francophone...

Jeanne Lajoie, a dedicated teacher and advocate for the establishment of French schools in Ontario, was born in Lefaivre, near Hawkesbury, in 1899. In 1923, Lajoie helped a group of francophone...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Joseph Schneider Haus

Built around 1816, this house is a reminder of the migration of Pennsylvania-German Mennonites to Waterloo County in the early 19th century. The movement was led by Joseph Schneider, the builder...

Built around 1816, this house is a reminder of the migration of Pennsylvania-German Mennonites to Waterloo County in the early 19th century. The movement was led by Joseph Schneider, the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Morrison 1861-1936

J.J. Morrison, an influential activist in farmer's causes, lived on a farm 2 km south of Arthur. He entered politics in the early 1900s, a time when many farmers felt ignored in an increasingly...

J.J. Morrison, an influential activist in farmer's causes, lived on a farm 2 km south of Arthur. He entered politics in the early 1900s, a time when many farmers felt ignored in an increasingly...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Sandfield Macdonald 1812-1872

St. Raphael is the birthplace of John Sandfield Macdonald, Prime Minister of the Province of Canada 1862-64, and first Premier of Ontario 1867-71. First elected to represent Glengarry in the...

St. Raphael is the birthplace of John Sandfield Macdonald, Prime Minister of the Province of Canada 1862-64, and first Premier of Ontario 1867-71. First elected to represent Glengarry in the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Joseph E. Atkinson 1865-1948

One of Canada's leading publishers, Joseph Atkinson was born here in Clarke Township and, at eighteen, began his journalistic career with the Port Hope Times. He subsequently moved to Toronto...

One of Canada's leading publishers, Joseph Atkinson was born here in Clarke Township and, at eighteen, began his journalistic career with the Port Hope Times. He subsequently moved to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John McLean 1799-1890

In this house from 1847 to 1857 lived the noted explorer and author John McLean, who was born in Scotland and joined the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821. In 1838 he became the first white man to...

In this house from 1847 to 1857 lived the noted explorer and author John McLean, who was born in Scotland and joined the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821. In 1838 he became the first white man...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown