A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
Explore the nearly 25,000 worldwide plaques on the Big Map big map screenshot
The most recent plaques:

Jersey Barriers

Frequent dangerous accidents on Jugtown Mountain led to the first installation here of the concrete road dividers, which later became famous and are now also in use to defend against terrorists.NJ...

Frequent dangerous accidents on Jugtown Mountain led to the first installation here of the concrete road dividers, which later became famous and are now also in use to defend against...

  • concrete
  • first
  • jersey
  • new jersey
  • traffic

Libby Water Tower

The plaque sits in front of a moderately sized water tower in the middle of an office park. The tower is painted all over with depictions of fruit, including a very large pineapple. The plaque...

The plaque sits in front of a moderately sized water tower in the middle of an office park. The tower is painted all over with depictions of fruit, including a very large pineapple. The plaque...

  • california
  • cannery
  • landmark
  • sunnyvale
  • water tower
  • tower

Landing Site of Capt. George Vancouver

“On May 30 1792 Captain Vancouver and his party anchored off this point and came ashore the following morning. Commissioned by the British to survey the N.W. coast of America. They named this area...

“On May 30 1792 Captain Vancouver and his party anchored off this point and came ashore the following morning. Commissioned by the British to survey the N.W. coast of America. They named this area...

  • 1792
  • lighthouse
  • mukilteo
  • vancouver
  • washington

Camp Long Dedication

In honor of Judge William G. Long Through whose efforts and dedication this camp was established for Seattle’s youth that they might learn camping and climbing skills in a unique setting within the city.

In honor of Judge William G. Long Through whose efforts and dedication this camp was established for Seattle’s youth that they might learn camping and climbing skills in a unique setting within the city.

    Chester Rapkin: Father of SoHo

    Happened to see this walking around the city the other day, thought it might be interesting to upload here. It’s on Prince St. between Wooster and West Broadway. The plaque transcribed:Chester...

    Happened to see this walking around the city the other day, thought it might be interesting to upload here. It’s on Prince St. between Wooster and West Broadway. The plaque...

    • disrespect f...
    • new york
    • new york city
    • soho
    • strange capi...

    Atomic Bomb Accident at Mars Bluff

    In 1958, in the midst of the Cold War, the U.S. Air Force accidentally dropped an atomic bomb near here. The unarmed 7,600-lb., 10’8″ -long bomb was aboard a B-47E bomber on a training mission...

    In 1958, in the midst of the Cold War, the U.S. Air Force accidentally dropped an atomic bomb near here. The unarmed 7,600-lb., 10’8″ -long bomb was aboard a B-47E bomber on a training mission...

    • accident
    • atomic
    • bomb

    Traverse of George William Evans

    In 1813 Govenor of New South Wales, Lachlan Maquarie, sent George Evans, William Lawson and Gregory Blaxland to explore inland Australia. The first stop was the Blue Moutains. This plaque marks...

    In 1813 Govenor of New South Wales, Lachlan Maquarie, sent George Evans, William Lawson and Gregory Blaxland to explore inland Australia. The first stop was the Blue Moutains. This plaque marks...

    • australia
    • blue mountains
    • warrimoo

    The Top of the Smokies

    The Top of the Smokies At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one of the highest peaks in the eastern United States An observation...

    The Top of the Smokies At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one of the highest peaks in the eastern United States An...

    • clingmans dome
    • lookout
    • observation tower
    • smoky mountains
    • tower

    Fontana dam

    Fontana Dam Length 2365 feet Height 480 feet Built by the TVA 1942-1945 as a unit of its multi-purpose system of dams.35.450414,-83.804923

    Fontana Dam Length 2365 feet Height 480 feet Built by the TVA 1942-1945 as a unit of its multi- purpose system of dams.35.450414,-83.804923

    • dam
    • fontana dam
    • tva

    The TVA System of Multi-Purpose Dams, Fontana Dam

    35.449995,-83.805303 Fontana Dam Fontana dam, a multi-purpose dam on the little Tennessee reiver, is 480 feet, TVA’s highest. Begun soon after Pearl Harbor, it was completed in less than three...

    35.449995,-83.805303 Fontana Dam Fontana dam, a multi-purpose dam on the little Tennessee reiver, is 480 feet, TVA’s highest. Begun soon after Pearl Harbor, it was completed in less than three...

    • dam
    • fontana dam
    • tva

    Horace Bowler, Harbour Missionary

    The plaque reads: In loving memory of Horace Bowler, Harbour Missionary. Died August 11 1902 Aged 30 years. “Until the Day Break” Erected by the Congregation of This Church.     Lat:...

    The plaque reads: In loving memory of Horace Bowler, Harbour Missionary. Died August 11 1902 Aged 30 years. “Until the Day Break” Erected by the Congregation of This Church.    ...

    • 1902
    • england
    • great britain
    • uk

    Jackson: The Jumping Seat of Calaveras County

    Commemorating the literally trigger-happy zeal that accompanied mining town politics in the mid-1850′s, this plaque tells the story of Jackson’s Judge Smith entanglements in public policy. In...

    Commemorating the literally trigger-happy zeal that accompanied mining town politics in the mid-1850′s, this plaque tells the story of Jackson’s Judge Smith entanglements in public policy. In...

    • 1851
    • california
    • jackson

    Founder of Doggie Diner

    Thomas J. Bates May 6, 1923 – August 9, 2013 Founder of the Doggie DinerWith heavy hearts we must announce the passing of Tom Bates, Owner of Bates Manor at 120 Hillcrest Road,Father of Antony and...

    Thomas J. Bates May 6, 1923 – August 9, 2013 Founder of the Doggie DinerWith heavy hearts we must announce the passing of Tom Bates, Owner of Bates Manor at 120 Hillcrest Road,Father of Antony and...

    • berkeley hills
    • food
    • san francisco

    George Bernard McPherson of Guerneville, CA

    To a man who still received self satisfaction and a feeling of worth by doing something and accepting nothing instead of doing nothing and accepting something.GEORGE BERNARD McPHERSON 1888 –...

    To a man who still received self satisfaction and a feeling of worth by doing something and accepting nothing instead of doing nothing and accepting something.GEORGE BERNARD McPHERSON 1888 –...

    • irishamerica...
    • 1888
    • 1977
    • california

    Historic Cerrito Creek

    Cerrito Creek plaque, featuring local items, notably the undersold dynamite factory (#3).

    Cerrito Creek plaque, featuring local items, notably the undersold dynamite factory (#3).

    • dynamite
    • el cerrito

    Strasburg Railroad

    Established in 1832 in response to the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad’s bypass of Strasburg, it remains the oldest original railroad operating under its original charter. Local railroad...

    Established in 1832 in response to the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad’s bypass of Strasburg, it remains the oldest original railroad operating under its original charter. Local railroad...

    • 1832
    • pennsylvania
    • railroad
    • steam

    Hayes Mansion

    Dolce Hayes Mansion 200 Edenvale Ave, San Jose, CA 95136 Mary Hayes Chynoweth, matriarch of the Hayes family, buit this 65 room, 41,000 square foot Mediterranean Revival-style mansion to replace...

    Dolce Hayes Mansion 200 Edenvale Ave, San Jose, CA 95136 Mary Hayes Chynoweth, matriarch of the Hayes family, buit this 65 room, 41,000 square foot Mediterranean Revival-style mansion to replace...

    • 1905
    • hayes
    • san jose

    Historic Well

    Located in the basement parking garage in Safeway at 1444 Shattuck Pl, Berkeley, CA 94709. Prior to the 2012 remodel, it was located outside next to a covered well on the south east corner of the...

    Located in the basement parking garage in Safeway at 1444 Shattuck Pl, Berkeley, CA 94709. Prior to the 2012 remodel, it was located outside next to a covered well on the south east corner of...

    • well
    • berkeley
    • california
    • bay area
    • safeway

    Key Route

    Key Route Train plaque by large key route mural.The mural has been destroyed under controversial circumstances (https://localwiki.org/oakland/Key_Route_Plaza_mural), but a picture of what it...

    Key Route Train plaque by large key route mural.The mural has been destroyed under controversial circumstances (https://localwiki.org /oakland/Key_Route_Plaza_mural), but a picture of what it...

    • oakland
    • train

    Honoring the Fictional Dead from The Maltese Falcon

    This is the only plaque I’ve ever seen dedicated to the death of a minor fictional character. It’s found at the mouth of Burritt Alley in San Francisco. It says: “On approximately this spot, Miles...

    This is the only plaque I’ve ever seen dedicated to the death of a minor fictional character. It’s found at the mouth of Burritt Alley in San Francisco. It says: “On approximately this spot, Miles...

    • dashiell hammett
    • humphrey bogart
    • maltese falcon
    • miles archer
    • mystery