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

Yorkville Branch, Toronto Public Library 1907

Yorkville Branch is the Toronto Public Library's oldest building, the first of four libraries constructed with a 1903 grant from the Carnegie Corporation. It replaced the Library's first branch,...

Yorkville Branch is the Toronto Public Library's oldest building, the first of four libraries constructed with a 1903 grant from the Carnegie Corporation. It replaced the Library's first branch,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

York Mills

In 1796, Thomas Mercer, a Loyalist, acquired some 80 ha of land in this vicinity. James Hogg, an enterprising Scottish emigrant, purchased part of this property about 1818 and built a grist-mill...

In 1796, Thomas Mercer, a Loyalist, acquired some 80 ha of land in this vicinity. James Hogg, an enterprising Scottish emigrant, purchased part of this property about 1818 and built a grist-mill...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Yonge Street 1796

The shortest route between the upper and lower Great Lakes lies between here and Georgian Bay. For John Graves Simcoe, Upper Canada first lieutenant-governor, this protected inland passage had...

The shortest route between the upper and lower Great Lakes lies between here and Georgian Bay. For John Graves Simcoe, Upper Canada first lieutenant-governor, this protected inland passage had...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Zion-Wexford Church

In 1842 a little log chapel was built here on a tenth hectare of land purchased from Anthony Twaddle for eight shillings by members of the Primitive Methodist Church. First known as Twaddle's...

In 1842 a little log chapel was built here on a tenth hectare of land purchased from Anthony Twaddle for eight shillings by members of the Primitive Methodist Church. First known as Twaddle's...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

York Mechanics' Institute 1830-1882

The Mechanics' Institute movement began in Britain and soon spread to North America. Its aim was to teach workers the applied technology behind new methods of manufacture and craftsmanship...

The Mechanics' Institute movement began in Britain and soon spread to North America. Its aim was to teach workers the applied technology behind new methods of manufacture and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

York Mills

The Village of York Mills grew up around three mill sites on the west branch of the Don River about 10 km north of Toronto. From the opening of Samuel Heron's Mill in 1804 until 1926 when George...

The Village of York Mills grew up around three mill sites on the west branch of the Don River about 10 km north of Toronto. From the opening of Samuel Heron's Mill in 1804 until 1926 when...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Young Men's-Young Women's Hebrew Association

Early in the last century, athletic and social clubs were established to offer recreational opportunities to Toronto's Jewish young people. In 1919, a number of these clubs joined to form an...

Early in the last century, athletic and social clubs were established to offer recreational opportunities to Toronto's Jewish young people. In 1919, a number of these clubs joined to form...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

York Mills Public School 50th Anniversary Park

York Mills Public School was a two room schoolhouse built in 1925. It was known for many years as Baron Renfrew School, in honour of the then Prince of Wales who used that title while visiting the...

York Mills Public School was a two room schoolhouse built in 1925. It was known for many years as Baron Renfrew School, in honour of the then Prince of Wales who used that title while visiting the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

York Cottage

York Cottage was originally constructed circa 1850 as a one-and-a-half storey brick structure in the Ontario Cottage style. It replaced an earlier log cabin on this site. The Johnson family...

York Cottage was originally constructed circa 1850 as a one-and-a-half storey brick structure in the Ontario Cottage style. It replaced an earlier log cabin on this site. The Johnson family...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

York's First Jail

In 1798 the Town of York (now Toronto) erected its first jail and hanging yard on this site. Also known as 'the old log gaol', it was still standing when York opened a newer jail in 1827...

In 1798 the Town of York (now Toronto) erected its first jail and hanging yard on this site. Also known as 'the old log gaol', it was still standing when York opened a newer jail in 1827...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

York Hospital Site 1829-1856

When the military hospital closed after the War of 1812, York was left without a hospital. Surplus funds raised by the 'Loyal and Patriotic Society of Upper Canada' for those who suffered as a...

When the military hospital closed after the War of 1812, York was left without a hospital. Surplus funds raised by the 'Loyal and Patriotic Society of Upper Canada' for those who suffered as...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Willowdale

This graveyard is a rare remnant of the time when Willowdale was a small agricultural community centred around this stretch of Yonge Street. Aboriginal peoples hunted, fished, and camped on this...

This graveyard is a rare remnant of the time when Willowdale was a small agricultural community centred around this stretch of Yonge Street. Aboriginal peoples hunted, fished, and camped on this...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Lyon Mackenzie King 1874-1950

While attending the University of Toronto and reporting for Toronto newspapers, William Lyon Mackenzie King lived here with his parents John King and Isabel Mackenzie, from 1893 to 1896. He then...

While attending the University of Toronto and reporting for Toronto newspapers, William Lyon Mackenzie King lived here with his parents John King and Isabel Mackenzie, from 1893 to 1896. He then...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Withrow Avenue Public School Junior

The need for a new school for the Riverdale area became apparent just prior to the turn of the century. Having resolved to provide a school, the Toronto Board of Education approved the purchase of...

The need for a new school for the Riverdale area became apparent just prior to the turn of the century. Having resolved to provide a school, the Toronto Board of Education approved the purchase of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Thomas 1799-1860

This monument was designed by William Thomas, one of the most important architects in Victorian Canada, and made by Cochrane Brothers, Toronto's leading stone carvers in the mid-19th century....

This monument was designed by William Thomas, one of the most important architects in Victorian Canada, and made by Cochrane Brothers, Toronto's leading stone carvers in the mid-19th...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Weston Public Library

This building was erected in 1914 with a Carnegie Foundation grant to replace the Apprentices' Library at Old Dufferin Hall. Following the William Morris crafts movement, this Art Nouveau...

This building was erected in 1914 with a Carnegie Foundation grant to replace the Apprentices' Library at Old Dufferin Hall. Following the William Morris crafts movement, this Art...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Warriors' Day Parade

At the end of the First World War (1914-1918), activities took place across Canada to commemorate the country's wartime efforts and to honour the over 60,000 Canadians lost. One of the most...

At the end of the First World War (1914-1918), activities took place across Canada to commemorate the country's wartime efforts and to honour the over 60,000 Canadians lost. One of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Western Battery and The Battle of York

Roughly 200 metres southwest of here (near today's Princes' Gates) was the location of the Western Battery - an outer earthwork fortification and artillery emplacement positioned to protect Fort...

Roughly 200 metres southwest of here (near today's Princes' Gates) was the location of the Western Battery - an outer earthwork fortification and artillery emplacement positioned to protect...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Wellesley Institute

This Plaque is dedicated to the many women and men who graduated from The Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing and served their community and patients so passionately from 1912 to 1998 at which...

This Plaque is dedicated to the many women and men who graduated from The Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing and served their community and patients so passionately from 1912 to 1998 at which...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

West Market Street

On the south west corner of King and Market Lane Park once stood the Wellington Inn, Terry and Catermole Watchmakers, Peter Paterson's Hardware Store and John Bishop's Butcher Shop. Next to the...

On the south west corner of King and Market Lane Park once stood the Wellington Inn, Terry and Catermole Watchmakers, Peter Paterson's Hardware Store and John Bishop's Butcher Shop. Next to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown