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

The West Montrose Covered Bridge

This structure, the only remaining covered bridge in Ontario, was designed by John Bear in 1880, on the authority of Woolwich Township Council, to replace an earlier bridge over the Grand River....

This structure, the only remaining covered bridge in Ontario, was designed by John Bear in 1880, on the authority of Woolwich Township Council, to replace an earlier bridge over the Grand...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Perkins Bull, K.C., LL.D. 1870-1948

Financier, philanthropist and historian William Perkins Bull was born in Downsview, Ontario, in 1870. Bull attended Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the bar in 1896. He established a law...

Financier, philanthropist and historian William Perkins Bull was born in Downsview, Ontario, in 1870. Bull attended Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the bar in 1896. He established a law...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Wallaceburg

The Chippewa surrendered their lands in this area by treaty in 1796. The first European presence in this area was Lord Selkirk's nearby Baldoon Settlement, founded in 1804. It failed because of...

The Chippewa surrendered their lands in this area by treaty in 1796. The first European presence in this area was Lord Selkirk's nearby Baldoon Settlement, founded in 1804. It failed because...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Blair Bruce 1859-1906

A distinguished Canadian artist, Bruce spent his childhood in a house which stood on this property. He was educated in Hamilton where he studied draughtsmanship and painting. In 1881 he entered...

A distinguished Canadian artist, Bruce spent his childhood in a house which stood on this property. He was educated in Hamilton where he studied draughtsmanship and painting. In 1881 he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Kirby's Home

In this house, built in 1818, William Kirby, F.R.S.C., historian, novelist, poet and editor of the Niagara Mail, lived from 1857 to 1906. His historical romance, The Golden Dog, stimulated...

In this house, built in 1818, William Kirby, F.R.S.C., historian, novelist, poet and editor of the Niagara Mail, lived from 1857 to 1906. His historical romance, The Golden Dog,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Sherring 1877-1964

One of Canada's greatest Marathon runners, "Billy" Sherring was born in Hamilton, and began his athletic career as a member of the YMCA Boys, Club. He entered many county fair races and in 1897...

One of Canada's greatest Marathon runners, "Billy" Sherring was born in Hamilton, and began his athletic career as a member of the YMCA Boys, Club. He entered many county fair races and in 1897...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Van Egmond House

This house was built about 1846 by Constant Van Egmond, eldest son of Col. Anthony Van Egmond, a leader of rebel military forces in the Rebellion of 1837. It has the sturdy proportions typical of...

This house was built about 1846 by Constant Van Egmond, eldest son of Col. Anthony Van Egmond, a leader of rebel military forces in the Rebellion of 1837. It has the sturdy proportions typical...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Victoria Hall

This building, designed by the architect Kivas Tully in a Victorian version of the Palladian style, is representative of the finer public buildings of mid-nineteenth century Canada. One of the...

This building, designed by the architect Kivas Tully in a Victorian version of the Palladian style, is representative of the finer public buildings of mid-nineteenth century Canada. One of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada

For more than a century, this national organization has provided vital home nursing and health education to Canadians. Founded in 1897 by Lady Aberdeen, the Order developed innovative programs to...

For more than a century, this national organization has provided vital home nursing and health education to Canadians. Founded in 1897 by Lady Aberdeen, the Order developed innovative programs to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Victoria Road

In 1854 the government, faced with a decreasing supply of Crown land in the southern part of what is now Ontario began a network of "Colonization Roads" to encourage the settlement of the southern...

In 1854 the government, faced with a decreasing supply of Crown land in the southern part of what is now Ontario began a network of "Colonization Roads" to encourage the settlement of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Victoria Hall

One of the finest public buildings in Canada, this imposing structure was built as an expression of civic pride and confidence in the future. It was begun in 1856 and opened by the Prince of Wales...

One of the finest public buildings in Canada, this imposing structure was built as an expression of civic pride and confidence in the future. It was begun in 1856 and opened by the Prince of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Victoria Memorial Museum Building

Built between 1905 and 1911, this Tudor Revival structure with its crenellated roofline holds a prominent place in the history of Canadian museums. Originally constructed for the Geological Survey...

Built between 1905 and 1911, this Tudor Revival structure with its crenellated roofline holds a prominent place in the history of Canadian museums. Originally constructed for the Geological Survey...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Vrooman's Battery

Manned by Captain Samuel Hatt's 5th Lincoln (Militia) Regiment and a small party of the Lincoln Militia Artillery under Lieutenant John Ball, and consisting of one 24-pounder cannon mounted within...

Manned by Captain Samuel Hatt's 5th Lincoln (Militia) Regiment and a small party of the Lincoln Militia Artillery under Lieutenant John Ball, and consisting of one 24-pounder cannon mounted within...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Victoria Hall

When Victoria Hall was built in 1889, Petrolia, in the midst of an oil boom, was one of the wealthiest towns in Canada. The opulent town hall reflects this stage in the town's growth. While its...

When Victoria Hall was built in 1889, Petrolia, in the midst of an oil boom, was one of the wealthiest towns in Canada. The opulent town hall reflects this stage in the town's growth. While its...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Victoria College

The cornerstone of this building was laid June 7, 1832, and teaching began in 1836. First operated under a royal charter by the Wesleyan Methodists as Upper Canada Academy, in 1841 it obtained a...

The cornerstone of this building was laid June 7, 1832, and teaching began in 1836. First operated under a royal charter by the Wesleyan Methodists as Upper Canada Academy, in 1841 it obtained...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Victoria Railway

The opening of the Haliburton district to organized settlement in the early 1860s encouraged promoters to consider the construction of railway lines into the area and to regions further north. One...

The opening of the Haliburton district to organized settlement in the early 1860s encouraged promoters to consider the construction of railway lines into the area and to regions further north. One...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Veterans Charter

A programme of innovative social legislation, known collectively as the Veterans Charter, provided an unprecedented level of benefits to those who served in the Second World War. Advanced by the...

A programme of innovative social legislation, known collectively as the Veterans Charter, provided an unprecedented level of benefits to those who served in the Second World War. Advanced by the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The "Victoria" Boat Disaster 1881

On May 24, 1881, one of Canada's worst marine disasters occurred on the Thames River near this site. The "Victoria", a small, double-decked stern-wheeler commanded by Captain Donald Rankin, was...

On May 24, 1881, one of Canada's worst marine disasters occurred on the Thames River near this site. The "Victoria", a small, double-decked stern-wheeler commanded by Captain Donald Rankin, was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Voyage of the "Griffon" 1679

First ship to sail Lakes, Erie, Huron and Michigan, the "Griffon", probably 12-14 metres long, was built by Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, several kilometres above Niagara Falls in 1679. La...

First ship to sail Lakes, Erie, Huron and Michigan, the "Griffon", probably 12-14 metres long, was built by Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, several kilometres above Niagara Falls in 1679. La...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The University of Waterloo

In 1956 community leaders, headed by Dr. J. Gerald Hagey, formed the Waterloo College Associate Faculties, a non-denominational corporation, to provide Waterloo with improved educational...

In 1956 community leaders, headed by Dr. J. Gerald Hagey, formed the Waterloo College Associate Faculties, a non-denominational corporation, to provide Waterloo with improved...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown