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

The Sinking of the "Mary Ward"

On the night of November 24, 1872, the steamer "Mary Ward" ran aground on Milligan's Reef, two kilometres offshore. Recently purchased by five Owen Sound men, the vessel was making the trip from...

On the night of November 24, 1872, the steamer "Mary Ward" ran aground on Milligan's Reef, two kilometres offshore. Recently purchased by five Owen Sound men, the vessel was making the trip from...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Paul's Church

Begun in 1854 and completed three years later, this Presbyterian church was designed in the Gothic Revival Style by architect William Thomas. The elegant 24 m spire set atop a 30 m tower marks the...

Begun in 1854 and completed three years later, this Presbyterian church was designed in the Gothic Revival Style by architect William Thomas. The elegant 24 m spire set atop a 30 m tower marks the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sharon Temple

This elegant structure stands as testament to the faith and good works of the Children of Peace. In 1825-1832 master carpenters Ebenezer and John Doan constructed it to the plans of religious...

This elegant structure stands as testament to the faith and good works of the Children of Peace. In 1825-1832 master carpenters Ebenezer and John Doan constructed it to the plans of religious...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Skirmish at McCrae's House

Following the defeat of the British at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813, American forces controlled the Thames Valley west of Moraviantown. In early December a detachment of 3 officers...

Following the defeat of the British at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813, American forces controlled the Thames Valley west of Moraviantown. In early December a detachment of 3 officers...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Collingwood Schreiber 1831-1918

This community, originally known as Isbester's Landing, was named in 1885 after Collingwood G. Schreiber. Born at Bradwell Lodge, near Colchester, England, Schreiber emigrated to Canada West in...

This community, originally known as Isbester's Landing, was named in 1885 after Collingwood G. Schreiber. Born at Bradwell Lodge, near Colchester, England, Schreiber emigrated to Canada West in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The St. Clair Tunnel

The first international submarine railway tunnel in North America was built here, 1889-9, by the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada. It connects Sarnia with Port Huron, Michigan. To compete...

The first international submarine railway tunnel in North America was built here, 1889-9, by the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada. It connects Sarnia with Port Huron, Michigan. To compete...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Skirmishes at the Canard River

In the War of 1812, the first engagement in Canada involving British and American forces in significant numbers occurred here on the Canard River. On July 12, 1812, Brigadier-General William Hull...

In the War of 1812, the first engagement in Canada involving British and American forces in significant numbers occurred here on the Canard River. On July 12, 1812, Brigadier-General William Hull...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. John's Church 1834

An Anglican congregation was formed in Peterborough by the Rev. Samuel Armour in 1826. Services were held in a schoolhouse until the building of St. John's which was begun in 1834 and opened in...

An Anglican congregation was formed in Peterborough by the Rev. Samuel Armour in 1826. Services were held in a schoolhouse until the building of St. John's which was begun in 1834 and opened in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sharon Temple

Erected 1825-32, its architecture symbolizes the religious beliefs of its builder, David Willson, born in New York State 1778. Disowned by the Society of Friends (Quakers), he established...

Erected 1825-32, its architecture symbolizes the religious beliefs of its builder, David Willson, born in New York State 1778. Disowned by the Society of Friends (Quakers), he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir John Alexander Macdonald 1815-1891

First elected from Kingston to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in 1844, he was for forty-seven years a leading figure in the public life of his country. One of the Fathers of...

First elected from Kingston to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in 1844, he was for forty-seven years a leading figure in the public life of his country. One of the Fathers...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church

The religious centre for a thriving Franco-Ontario community, this substantial brick structure was built to serve La Paroisse de St. Pierre sur la Tranche, the second oldest Roman Catholic parish...

The religious centre for a thriving Franco-Ontario community, this substantial brick structure was built to serve La Paroisse de St. Pierre sur la Tranche, the second oldest Roman Catholic...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Stone Church Hastings

Stone Church, one of three known cobblestone churches in Ontario, is part of a small group of cobblestone buildings in this area. It was built in 1853-6 on land belonging to John Fretz to house...

Stone Church, one of three known cobblestone churches in Ontario, is part of a small group of cobblestone buildings in this area. It was built in 1853-6 on land belonging to John Fretz to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Mackenzie Bowell (1823-1917)

Born in England, this printer and publisher represented North Hastings in Parliament from 1867 to 1892, and thereafter held a seat in the Senate until 1917. He served in the cabinets of Macdonald,...

Born in England, this printer and publisher represented North Hastings in Parliament from 1867 to 1892, and thereafter held a seat in the Senate until 1917. He served in the cabinets of Macdonald,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Simcoe County Court- House and Gaol

In 1837 the Simcoe District was established and authority was given for erecting a district court-house and gaol at Barrie. The gaol was begun in 1840, the court-house a year later, and both were...

In 1837 the Simcoe District was established and authority was given for erecting a district court- house and gaol at Barrie. The gaol was begun in 1840, the court-house a year later, and both...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Gilbert Parker 1862-1932

In this community of Camden East, where his father was a storekeeper and Justice of the Peace, was born Gilbert Parker, Canadian novelist and poet. Educated at the University of Toronto, he became...

In this community of Camden East, where his father was a storekeeper and Justice of the Peace, was born Gilbert Parker, Canadian novelist and poet. Educated at the University of Toronto, he became...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Allen Bristol Aylesworth 1854-1952

Born in Newburgh of United Empire Loyalist ancestry, Aylesworth was educated at the University of Toronto, and called to the Ontario Bar in 1878. As the Canadian member of the Alaska Boundary...

Born in Newburgh of United Empire Loyalist ancestry, Aylesworth was educated at the University of Toronto, and called to the Ontario Bar in 1878. As the Canadian member of the Alaska Boundary...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Thomas Canada Southern Railway Station

The St. Thomas Canada Southern (CASO) Station, financed by American railway promoters, was constructed between 1871 and 1873 to serve as both the passenger station for St. Thomas and CASO's...

The St. Thomas Canada Southern (CASO) Station, financed by American railway promoters, was constructed between 1871 and 1873 to serve as both the passenger station for St. Thomas and...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sandyford Place

Built about 1856, at a time of rapid growth in Hamilton, Sandyford Place is a fine example of the housing then being erected for the merchants of the period. It is a rare survivor in Canada of the...

Built about 1856, at a time of rapid growth in Hamilton, Sandyford Place is a fine example of the housing then being erected for the merchants of the period. It is a rare survivor in Canada of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Scott's Mills 1820

Near this site, in 1820, the community's first resident Adam Scott (1796-1838), built a sawmill and grist-mill. The small settlement which grew around them was known as Scott's Plains until 1826...

Near this site, in 1820, the community's first resident Adam Scott (1796-1838), built a sawmill and grist-mill. The small settlement which grew around them was known as Scott's Plains until...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Serpent Mounds

Two thousand years ago, Aboriginal people gathered nearby in large settlements in spring and summer to hunt, fish and collect freshwater mussels. Here, for over three centuries, these people built...

Two thousand years ago, Aboriginal people gathered nearby in large settlements in spring and summer to hunt, fish and collect freshwater mussels. Here, for over three centuries, these people...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown