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:

Sir James Pliny Whitney 1843-1914

Born in Williamsburg Township, Dundas County, and educated at the Cornwall Grammar School, Whitney was called to the Bar in 1876. He was elected to the Provincial Parliament as Conservative member...

Born in Williamsburg Township, Dundas County, and educated at the Cornwall Grammar School, Whitney was called to the Bar in 1876. He was elected to the Provincial Parliament as Conservative...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir William Pearce Howland (1811-1907)

A prominent businessman and philanthropist, Howland was a leading Reform politician and a Father of Confederation. Founder of Lambton Mills, he was elected to the provincial legislature in 1858....

A prominent businessman and philanthropist, Howland was a leading Reform politician and a Father of Confederation. Founder of Lambton Mills, he was elected to the provincial legislature in 1858....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Michael's Cathedral

The cornerstone of St. Michael's Cathedral was laid on May 8, 1845, by the Most Reverend Michael Power, first Catholic Bishop of Toronto. Designed by William Thomas, the building is an adaptation...

The cornerstone of St. Michael's Cathedral was laid on May 8, 1845, by the Most Reverend Michael Power, first Catholic Bishop of Toronto. Designed by William Thomas, the building is an...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Spadina Expressway

Spadina ExpresswayIn the 1960s, this stretch of Spadina Road was to be transformed into the southern end of a sunken, four- to six-lane expressway and a subway line. They would connect downtown...

Spadina ExpresswayIn the 1960s, this stretch of Spadina Road was to be transformed into the southern end of a sunken, four- to six-lane expressway and a subway line. They would connect downtown...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. George's Hall (Arts and Letters Club)

Since 1920, St. George's Hall has housed the renowned Arts and Letters Club. Founded in 1908 by a group of men involved in the arts, the Club has been a gathering place for artists and their...

Since 1920, St. George's Hall has housed the renowned Arts and Letters Club. Founded in 1908 by a group of men involved in the arts, the Club has been a gathering place for artists and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Stelco Swansea Works

For over 100 years, this was a landmark industrial site for the Village of Swansea and the City of Toronto. The Dominion Bolt and Nut Company established a factory adjacent to the railway here in...

For over 100 years, this was a landmark industrial site for the Village of Swansea and the City of Toronto. The Dominion Bolt and Nut Company established a factory adjacent to the railway here in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir John Henry Lefroy 1817-1890

A pioneer in the study of terrestrial magnetism, Lefroy was director of the magnetic observatory here from 1842 to 1853. Born in Hampshire, England, he was commissioned in the Royal Artillery at...

A pioneer in the study of terrestrial magnetism, Lefroy was director of the magnetic observatory here from 1842 to 1853. Born in Hampshire, England, he was commissioned in the Royal Artillery at...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Scarboro' Beach Amusement Park

In 1906, the Toronto Park Company purchased the 17 ha O'Connor farm, south of Queen Street East between Leuty and MacLean Avenues, from the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Scarboro' Beach Park was...

In 1906, the Toronto Park Company purchased the 17 ha O'Connor farm, south of Queen Street East between Leuty and MacLean Avenues, from the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Scarboro' Beach Park was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sexual Diversity Activism at the University of Toronto

Having first met off campus, the University of Toronto Homophile Association (UTHA) convened again on November 4, 1969, at University College to advocate equality and freedom for gay men and...

Having first met off campus, the University of Toronto Homophile Association (UTHA) convened again on November 4, 1969, at University College to advocate equality and freedom for gay men...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Joseph's College School

Originally called "St. Joseph's Academy for Young Ladies," the private school was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph and was located on Power Street. In 1863, the Academy was incorporated in a...

Originally called "St. Joseph's Academy for Young Ladies," the private school was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph and was located on Power Street. In 1863, the Academy was incorporated in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. George's On-The- Hill

In 1844, William Gamble, a miller on the Humber River and the first Reeve of Etobicoke, donated this site on the shoreline of prehistoric Lake Iroquois to the local Church of England congregation....

In 1844, William Gamble, a miller on the Humber River and the first Reeve of Etobicoke, donated this site on the shoreline of prehistoric Lake Iroquois to the local Church of England congregation....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Oliver Mowat 1820-1903

Born in Kingston, Mowat studied law under John A. Macdonald. After moving to Toronto in 1840, he was elected a Liberal Member of the Legislature of the Province of Canada in 1857 and served as...

Born in Kingston, Mowat studied law under John A. Macdonald. After moving to Toronto in 1840, he was elected a Liberal Member of the Legislature of the Province of Canada in 1857 and served...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Christopher House

Opened on this site in 1912, St. Christopher House was the model for a series of Settlement Houses established by the Presbyterian Church across Canada in the early 1900s. The Centre was founded...

Opened on this site in 1912, St. Christopher House was the model for a series of Settlement Houses established by the Presbyterian Church across Canada in the early 1900s. The Centre was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Frederick Banting 1891-1941

Soldier, surgeon, and scientist, Banting in 1920 became convinced of the existence of a substance now known as Insulin. A laboratory provided by Dr. J.J.R. Macleod of the University of Toronto...

Soldier, surgeon, and scientist, Banting in 1920 became convinced of the existence of a substance now known as Insulin. A laboratory provided by Dr. J.J.R. Macleod of the University of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Lawrence Lofts

Georgian Corporation's renovation of 77, 81 and 85 Front Street East is a proud moment in the company's history. The residences known as the St. Lawrence Lofts consist of three historically...

Georgian Corporation's renovation of 77, 81 and 85 Front Street East is a proud moment in the company's history. The residences known as the St. Lawrence Lofts consist of three...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Scadding Cabin

This log cabin, Toronto's oldest known surviving house, was constructed for John Scadding in 1794 during the first years of British settlement. Scadding was a government clerk and close friend of...

This log cabin, Toronto's oldest known surviving house, was constructed for John Scadding in 1794 during the first years of British settlement. Scadding was a government clerk and close friend of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Matthew's Anglican Church 1890

Designed by Toronto architects Strickland and Symons, this charming example of Gothic Revival church architecture was constructed for an Anglican congregation founded in 1874. Growing quickly...

Designed by Toronto architects Strickland and Symons, this charming example of Gothic Revival church architecture was constructed for an Anglican congregation founded in 1874. Growing quickly...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The St. George's Society of Toronto

The St. George's Society of Toronto, the city's oldest charity, was founded on St. George's Day, April 23, in 1834, at a meeting in the British Coffee House at King and York Streets. Named after...

The St. George's Society of Toronto, the city's oldest charity, was founded on St. George's Day, April 23, in 1834, at a meeting in the British Coffee House at King and York Streets. Named...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sunnylea School

Designed by John Burnet Parkin, a local architect, this school with each classroom featuring project areas with sinks, large windows and slide-along curtains and exit doors to the outside, set a...

Designed by John Burnet Parkin, a local architect, this school with each classroom featuring project areas with sinks, large windows and slide-along curtains and exit doors to the outside, set...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sunnybrook

These beautiful grounds, donated to the City of Toronto as a memorial park in honour of the late Joseph Kilgour, were, with the gracious consent and approval of the heirs to the Kilgour Estate,...

These beautiful grounds, donated to the City of Toronto as a memorial park in honour of the late Joseph Kilgour, were, with the gracious consent and approval of the heirs to the Kilgour...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown