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

The Great Fire of Algiers, 1895

In the early morning hours of October 20th, 1895, on the 300 block of Morgan St., near the corner of Bermuda St., a fire started that would eventually destroy about 200 homes and businesses in ten...

In the early morning hours of October 20th, 1895, on the 300 block of Morgan St., near the corner of Bermuda St., a fire started that would eventually destroy about 200 homes and businesses in...

  • louisiana
  • disaster

Duverjé Plantation

Algiers Point evolved from the plantation of Barthelemy Duverjé. The Duverjé home was built c. 1812-16, and served as the Algiers Courthouse from 1866. It was destroyed by the Great Fire of...

Algiers Point evolved from the plantation of Barthelemy Duverjé. The Duverjé home was built c. 1812-16, and served as the Algiers Courthouse from 1866. It was destroyed by the Great Fire...

  • louisiana

Enslaved Africans

In the 1720s, at a spot of land now eroded by the river, stood the barracks where enslaved Africans from the Senegal-Gambia region, were held before being ferried across the river to the slave...

In the 1720s, at a spot of land now eroded by the river, stood the barracks where enslaved Africans from the Senegal-Gambia region, were held before being ferried across the river to the...

  • louisiana

Riverside Addition: World War II Housing in Orange

The second World War catapulted Orange into a period of unparalleled industrial growth. In 1940, as the nation prepared for possible entry into the war, the U.S. Navy Office of Shipbuilding placed...

The second World War catapulted Orange into a period of unparalleled industrial growth. In 1940, as the nation prepared for possible entry into the war, the U.S. Navy Office of Shipbuilding...

  • texas

U.S.S. Aulick

On September 9, 1940, a federal contract worth $82 million was issued to the Consolidated Steel Company to construct 12 Fletcher class naval destroyers here in Orange, Texas. This and other...

On September 9, 1940, a federal contract worth $82 million was issued to the Consolidated Steel Company to construct 12 Fletcher class naval destroyers here in Orange, Texas. This and...

  • texas

Levingston Shipbuilding Company

In 1859, three brothers, Samuel, David and John Levingston, arrived in Orange from Ireland and purchased an existing shipyard, where they built wooden ships for more than thirty years. The some of...

In 1859, three brothers, Samuel, David and John Levingston, arrived in Orange from Ireland and purchased an existing shipyard, where they built wooden ships for more than thirty years. The some of...

  • texas

Office of the Supervisor of Shipbuilding and Consolidated Steel Corporation

Orange's location at a bend in the Sabine River, adjacent to the immense virgin pine forests of southeast Texas, made it an ideal site for shipbuilding. However, by 1930 all of the easily...

Orange's location at a bend in the Sabine River, adjacent to the immense virgin pine forests of southeast Texas, made it an ideal site for shipbuilding. However, by 1930 all of the...

  • texas

Lagrange High School

In 1903, Mesard LaGrange donated an acre for a one-room schoolhouse at this site, and in 1913 offered to donate 9 more acres for an expansion of the school. The School Board at the time offered...

In 1903, Mesard LaGrange donated an acre for a one-room schoolhouse at this site, and in 1913 offered to donate 9 more acres for an expansion of the school. The School Board at the time...

  • louisiana

St. Charles Academy

The original site of St. Charles Academy was the northeast corner of Ryan and Kirby, part of the Roman Catholic complex of church, convent and school destroyed in the Great Fire of 1910. Opening...

The original site of St. Charles Academy was the northeast corner of Ryan and Kirby, part of the Roman Catholic complex of church, convent and school destroyed in the Great Fire of 1910. Opening...

  • louisiana

Louisiana Baptist Orphanage

Area congregations constructed a two-story orphanage in 1899 that housed up to 150 children at a time. This location was selected for the wholesome, rural character of the setting. The landmark...

Area congregations constructed a two-story orphanage in 1899 that housed up to 150 children at a time. This location was selected for the wholesome, rural character of the setting. The landmark...

  • louisiana
  • church

The Arcade Theatre and Miller Building, the Paramount and the Weber Building

Four important landmarks once stood here, part of an unbroken line of buildings from Railroad Avenue to Clarence Street. The Weber Building housed professional offices and was the center of...

Four important landmarks once stood here, part of an unbroken line of buildings from Railroad Avenue to Clarence Street. The Weber Building housed professional offices and was the center of...

  • louisiana

Ball's Auditorium

One block from this site stood Ball's Auditorium from 1945 to 1995. Here, Reginald Ball, Sr. operated a trade school to help returning World War II African- American veterans obtain jobs through...

One block from this site stood Ball's Auditorium from 1945 to 1995. Here, Reginald Ball, Sr. operated a trade school to help returning World War II African- American veterans obtain jobs through...

  • louisiana
  • music
  • entertainment

The City of Emeryville Child Development Center

  • 1991
  • savage

Lost Railroad Stations

At least four railroad stations were located in Lake Charles, all of which have been lost. On Railroad Avenue at Bilbo were passenger and freight stations (circa 1880) for Louisiana Western...

At least four railroad stations were located in Lake Charles, all of which have been lost. On Railroad Avenue at Bilbo were passenger and freight stations (circa 1880) for Louisiana Western...

  • louisiana

First Baptist Church of Orange

In 1879 the Rev. Andrew Peddy helped organize this congregation with 18 charter members. They met in the frame Orange County courthouse and were served for a time by missionary preachers. Sarah A....

In 1879 the Rev. Andrew Peddy helped organize this congregation with 18 charter members. They met in the frame Orange County courthouse and were served for a time by missionary preachers. Sarah A....

  • texas
  • church

United States Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility

At the termination of World War II, the United States had the largest naval force of any country in history. Prudent military leaders decided against scrapping surplus vessels, in favor of...

At the termination of World War II, the United States had the largest naval force of any country in history. Prudent military leaders decided against scrapping surplus vessels, in favor...

  • texas

Weaver Shipbuilding

Joe Weaver established Joseph Weaver and Son Shipyard in Orange in 1897. George Levingston, later founder of Levingston Shipbuilding Company, acquired an interest in Weaver and Son in 1898, and...

Joe Weaver established Joseph Weaver and Son Shipyard in Orange in 1897. George Levingston, later founder of Levingston Shipbuilding Company, acquired an interest in Weaver and Son in 1898, and...

  • texas

The Original Teddy Bear

According to a famous story, a Louisiana Black Bear was the inspiration for the first “teddy bear.” In 1902, President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was hunting in Louisiana and Mississippi. The hunt...

According to a famous story, a Louisiana Black Bear was the inspiration for the first “teddy bear.” In 1902, President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was hunting in Louisiana and Mississippi. The hunt...

  • louisiana
  • new orleans

Caroline Durieux

Caroline Durieux, a well known lithographer and social artist during the 1930s and 1940s, was Director for the WPA Federal Art Project for Louisiana and a Louisiana State University professor of...

Caroline Durieux, a well known lithographer and social artist during the 1930s and 1940s, was Director for the WPA Federal Art Project for Louisiana and a Louisiana State University professor of...

  • louisiana

Swamp People

The people of south Louisiana stem from many diverse and varied ethnic backgrounds. The cooking, music, dancing, and folklore of this region reflect their origins in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the...

The people of south Louisiana stem from many diverse and varied ethnic backgrounds. The cooking, music, dancing, and folklore of this region reflect their origins in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the...

  • louisiana