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

St. Paul's Church, L'Amoreaux

St. Paul's Church, L'Amoreaux1840-1935 In 1808 Josue L'Amoreaux, a Loyalist of Huguenot descent who had fled from New York to New Brunswick at the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1783,...

St. Paul's Church, L'Amoreaux1840-1935 In 1808 Josue L'Amoreaux, a Loyalist of Huguenot descent who had fled from New York to New Brunswick at the end of the American Revolutionary War in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Lawrence Hall 1850

Erected in 1850 this structure provided a grand public hall in the St. Lawrence market-place, then the centre of Toronto, for concerts, balls, meetings and other civic events. Seating a thousand,...

Erected in 1850 this structure provided a grand public hall in the St. Lawrence market-place, then the centre of Toronto, for concerts, balls, meetings and other civic events. Seating a thousand,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Paul's Basilica

In 1822 St. Paul's was established as the first Roman Catholic Parish between Kingston and Windsor. The first Church, built of red brick, was opened on this site in 1824. The land to the East of...

In 1822 St. Paul's was established as the first Roman Catholic Parish between Kingston and Windsor. The first Church, built of red brick, was opened on this site in 1824. The land to the East of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews

"Be of good courage boys, I am not ashamed of anything I've done, I trust in God, and I'm going to die like a man." - - Samuel Lount. On April 24, 1824 the cornerstone of York's second jail was...

"Be of good courage boys, I am not ashamed of anything I've done, I trust in God, and I'm going to die like a man." - - Samuel Lount. On April 24, 1824 the cornerstone of York's second jail...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Lawrence Market

In 1803, Lieutenant Governor Peter Hunter established a public marketplace here where farmers from nearby townships sold produce and livestock to residents of the town of York (now Toronto). A...

In 1803, Lieutenant Governor Peter Hunter established a public marketplace here where farmers from nearby townships sold produce and livestock to residents of the town of York (now Toronto). A...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Strachan Avenue Military Burying Ground

Strachan Avenue Military Burying Ground, the third cemetery associated with Fort York, was used by the soldiers and families of the Toronto Garrison from 1864 until 1911. The first cemetery,...

Strachan Avenue Military Burying Ground, the third cemetery associated with Fort York, was used by the soldiers and families of the Toronto Garrison from 1864 until 1911. The first cemetery,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Scadding Cabin, 1794

Near here, on the east bank of the Don River, John Scadding built a log cabin establishing his claim to lot 15, stretching from Lake Ontario north to present day Danforth Avenue. Scadding was...

Near here, on the east bank of the Don River, John Scadding built a log cabin establishing his claim to lot 15, stretching from Lake Ontario north to present day Danforth Avenue. Scadding was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Andrew By-The- Lake

After the Toronto Island parish was established in 1875 Bishop Arthur Sweatman was the prime mover in the building of this Anglican church. Designed by Arthur R. Denison, architect, the Early...

After the Toronto Island parish was established in 1875 Bishop Arthur Sweatman was the prime mover in the building of this Anglican church. Designed by Arthur R. Denison, architect, the Early...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Henry Mill Pellatt 1859-1939

At the peak of his dramatic career, Sir Henry Mill Pellatt was one of Canada's most powerful businessmen. An ambitious financier who became wealthy through bold investments in electricity, real...

At the peak of his dramatic career, Sir Henry Mill Pellatt was one of Canada's most powerful businessmen. An ambitious financier who became wealthy through bold investments in electricity, real...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Straightening of the Don River

The lower Don River used to meander through woods and marshes before discharging into both Toronto harbour and Ashbridge's Bay Marsh, one of the Great Lakes' largest coastal wetlands. As the city...

The lower Don River used to meander through woods and marshes before discharging into both Toronto harbour and Ashbridge's Bay Marsh, one of the Great Lakes' largest coastal wetlands. As the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Site of Toronto's First Moving Picture Show

On August 31, 1896, a series of films running less than a minute each was projected from a "Vitascope" invented by Thomas Edison at Robinson's Musee Theatre on this site. On the next day, the...

On August 31, 1896, a series of films running less than a minute each was projected from a "Vitascope" invented by Thomas Edison at Robinson's Musee Theatre on this site. On the next day, the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown
  • edison

Scarborough High School

In 1919, a Board of Trustees was appointed to establish a high school in the southern portion of the Township of Scarborough. 3 hectares were purchased from the Pherrill Estate for $14,000 and on...

In 1919, a Board of Trustees was appointed to establish a high school in the southern portion of the Township of Scarborough. 3 hectares were purchased from the Pherrill Estate for $14,000 and on...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Studio Building

In 1913-1914, painter Lawren Harris and art patron Dr. James MacCallum financed the construction of the first purpose-built artists' studios and residence in Canada, a building intended to foster...

In 1913-1914, painter Lawren Harris and art patron Dr. James MacCallum financed the construction of the first purpose-built artists' studios and residence in Canada, a building intended to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Simpsons Mail-order Warehouse Dalhousie Street Extension

This landmark industrial complex was built in stages between 1916 and 1950. Over the course of the twentieth century, the buildings functioned as the administrative centre and warehouse for the...

This landmark industrial complex was built in stages between 1916 and 1950. Over the course of the twentieth century, the buildings functioned as the administrative centre and warehouse for...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir William Campbell 1758-1834

Campbell was born near Caithness, Scotland. He fought with the British forces during the American Revolution and was taken prisoner at Yorktown in 1781. Three years later he was practising law in...

Campbell was born near Caithness, Scotland. He fought with the British forces during the American Revolution and was taken prisoner at Yorktown in 1781. Three years later he was practising law...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Andrew's Church

Designed by Langley & Burke in Gothic style and built of Credit Valley stone, this church was dedicated 17 March 1878. The Rev. Dr. G. M. Milligan, the first Minister, who served here for over two...

Designed by Langley & Burke in Gothic style and built of Credit Valley stone, this church was dedicated 17 March 1878. The Rev. Dr. G. M. Milligan, the first Minister, who served here for over two...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Samuel de Champlain's Journeys Through Ontario

This park beside the Humber River commemorates Étienne Brûlé, one of Samuel de Champlain's protégés in the age of exploration. His story is part of the larger one of Champlain and the First...

This park beside the Humber River commemorates Étienne Brûlé, one of Samuel de Champlain's protégés in the age of exploration. His story is part of the larger one of Champlain and the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Severn's Brewery

On this site stood a 19th-century brewery and malt house that, at its peak, produced 26,500 litres of alcohol per week. Established by John Severn in 1835, the brewery specialized in ale and...

On this site stood a 19th-century brewery and malt house that, at its peak, produced 26,500 litres of alcohol per week. Established by John Severn in 1835, the brewery specialized in ale and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Saint Joseph's Church, Scarborough

The first Saint Joseph's Catholic Church was one of many small rural churches established in Ontario during the 1850's to serve the needs of the growing Irish Catholic population which had left...

The first Saint Joseph's Catholic Church was one of many small rural churches established in Ontario during the 1850's to serve the needs of the growing Irish Catholic population which had left...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters

In 1886, only four years after it had come to Canada from England, a young Christian revival movement known as Salvation Army built its Territorial Headquarters for Canada and Bermuda on this...

In 1886, only four years after it had come to Canada from England, a young Christian revival movement known as Salvation Army built its Territorial Headquarters for Canada and Bermuda on this...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown