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:

Jean Nicolet

Born in France about 1598, this explorer, fur trader and interpreter came to Canada in 1608. Under orders from Samuel de Champlain, he spent the following two years with the Algonguins of...

Born in France about 1598, this explorer, fur trader and interpreter came to Canada in 1608. Under orders from Samuel de Champlain, he spent the following two years with the Algonguins...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Naismith (1861-1939)

James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, was born on this farm in Ramsey Township. While studying theology in Montréal, he played a number of sports and became interested in the new discipline...

James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, was born on this farm in Ramsey Township. While studying theology in Montréal, he played a number of sports and became interested in the new discipline...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The John Backhouse Mill

John Backhouse emigrated from Yorkshire to the United States in 1791 but shortly thereafter, moved to Upper Canada. He served as a Major of the 1st Norfolk Militia in the War of 1812 and became a...

John Backhouse emigrated from Yorkshire to the United States in 1791 but shortly thereafter, moved to Upper Canada. He served as a Major of the 1st Norfolk Militia in the War of 1812 and became a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Thomson 1837-1920

Born in Edinburgh, Thomson emigrated in 1854 to New Jersey, there completing his apprenticeship as a paper-maker. He moved in 1860 to Saint John, N.B., where he devised an improved method for the...

Born in Edinburgh, Thomson emigrated in 1854 to New Jersey, there completing his apprenticeship as a paper-maker. He moved in 1860 to Saint John, N.B., where he devised an improved method for...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Japanese-Canadian Road Camps 1942-1944

During the Second World War, the federal government forcibly evacuated Canadians of Japanese ancestry from the coast of British Columbia. In the spring of 1942, several hundred young men were sent...

During the Second World War, the federal government forcibly evacuated Canadians of Japanese ancestry from the coast of British Columbia. In the spring of 1942, several hundred young men were sent...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John R. Booth Residence

This refined and elegant Queen Anne Revival house is as impressive now as when it was built in 1909 for lumber baron John R. Booth. Hallmark features of this style, popular from the 1880s to the...

This refined and elegant Queen Anne Revival house is as impressive now as when it was built in 1909 for lumber baron John R. Booth. Hallmark features of this style, popular from the 1880s to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Bertram Collip 1892-1965

A co-discoverer of insulin, J.B. (Bert) Collip was one of Canada's most prolific medical researchers in the first half of the 20th century. Born and raised in Belleville, Collip received a PhD in...

A co-discoverer of insulin, J.B. (Bert) Collip was one of Canada's most prolific medical researchers in the first half of the 20th century. Born and raised in Belleville, Collip received a PhD...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John McCrae 1872-1918

Born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, McCrae was educated at the University of Toronto's medical school, graduating as a gold medallist in 1898. He served in the Boer War with the artillery and during...

Born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, McCrae was educated at the University of Toronto's medical school, graduating as a gold medallist in 1898. He served in the Boer War with the artillery and during...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Joseph Emm Seagram (1841-1919)

Joseph Seagram, industrialist, politician and sportsman, was born near Galt, Upper Canada. In 1864 he came to Waterloo where he subsequently began the association with the distillery of which he...

Joseph Seagram, industrialist, politician and sportsman, was born near Galt, Upper Canada. In 1864 he came to Waterloo where he subsequently began the association with the distillery of which he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Galt 1779-1839

Guelph was founded on April 23, 1827, by the Scottish author and colonizer, John Galt, first superintendent of the Canada Company. That body, composed of a group of British speculators, purchased...

Guelph was founded on April 23, 1827, by the Scottish author and colonizer, John Galt, first superintendent of the Canada Company. That body, composed of a group of British speculators, purchased...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Wycliffe Lowes Forster 1850-1938

Born in Norval, this internationally renowned artist attended Brampton Grammar School before apprenticing to Toronto painter John W. Bridgman, with whom he later formed a partnership. After...

Born in Norval, this internationally renowned artist attended Brampton Grammar School before apprenticing to Toronto painter John W. Bridgman, with whom he later formed a partnership....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Joseph Schneider House 1820

This house, constructed in 1820 by Joseph Schneider (1772-1843), is the oldest surviving dwelling in Kitchener. Built of frame and originally covered with roughcast, it has been little changed...

This house, constructed in 1820 by Joseph Schneider (1772-1843), is the oldest surviving dwelling in Kitchener. Built of frame and originally covered with roughcast, it has been little changed...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

J.E.H. MacDonald 1873-1932

MacDonald, one of Canada's outstanding artists, lived here 1913-1932. Born in Durham, England, of Canadian parents, he came with his family to Hamilton in 1887. Though his formal art training was...

MacDonald, one of Canada's outstanding artists, lived here 1913-1932. Born in Durham, England, of Canadian parents, he came with his family to Hamilton in 1887. Though his formal art training was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

J.L. Kraft 1874-1953

Cheese maker James Lewis Kraft was born on a dairy farm near Stevensville in 1874. He was educated locally and worked nearby at Ferguson's general store. In 1903, Kraft went to Buffalo then...

Cheese maker James Lewis Kraft was born on a dairy farm near Stevensville in 1874. He was educated locally and worked nearby at Ferguson's general store. In 1903, Kraft went to Buffalo then...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Johnstown 1789

In 1789-90 a town plot of 1.6 km square was laid out in this vicinity. Many loyalists, including Sir John Johnson, obtained lots in this settlement. A sawmill and grist-mill were constructed, and...

In 1789-90 a town plot of 1.6 km square was laid out in this vicinity. Many loyalists, including Sir John Johnson, obtained lots in this settlement. A sawmill and grist-mill were constructed, and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jack Miner 1865-1944

A noted naturalist, John Thomas Miner was born in Dover Centre, Ohio, and in 1878 settled on this property. In 1904 he established this world famous bird sanctuary, primarily for the conservation...

A noted naturalist, John Thomas Miner was born in Dover Centre, Ohio, and in 1878 settled on this property. In 1904 he established this world famous bird sanctuary, primarily for the conservation...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Baby 1763-1833

The first member of Upper Canada's French community to gain prominence in government circles, Baby was born in British-controlled Detroit, the son of a well-established trader. He was educated in...

The first member of Upper Canada's French community to gain prominence in government circles, Baby was born in British-controlled Detroit, the son of a well-established trader. He was educated in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jesuit Mission to Manitoulin 1648-50

In 1648 Father Joseph Poncet, then serving at St. Marie in Huronia, was placed in charge of the Jesuit mission of St. Pierre by his superior Father Paul Ragueneau. This newly created mission was...

In 1648 Father Joseph Poncet, then serving at St. Marie in Huronia, was placed in charge of the Jesuit mission of St. Pierre by his superior Father Paul Ragueneau. This newly created mission was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jean McKishnie Blewett 1862-1934

Born at Scotia, Upper Canada, and educated at St. Thomas Collegiate Institute, Jean McKishnie was for many years a member of the staff of the Toronto Globe, continuing as an active journalist...

Born at Scotia, Upper Canada, and educated at St. Thomas Collegiate Institute, Jean McKishnie was for many years a member of the staff of the Toronto Globe, continuing as an active...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Graves Simcoe 1752-1806

Simcoe was born in Northamptonshire and educated at Oxford. He joined the British army in 1771, and from 1777-81 commanded the Queen's Rangers, a Loyalist corps in America. After the Loyalist...

Simcoe was born in Northamptonshire and educated at Oxford. He joined the British army in 1771, and from 1777-81 commanded the Queen's Rangers, a Loyalist corps in America. After the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown