A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
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The most recent plaques:

Reverend Peter Jones (1802-1856)

A Mississauga Chief and Methodist minister, the Reverend Peter Jones helped his people survive the impact of European settlement which had brought them close to extinction. As his Band's fishing...

A Mississauga Chief and Methodist minister, the Reverend Peter Jones helped his people survive the impact of European settlement which had brought them close to extinction. As his Band's...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robert Tait McKenzie (1867-1938)

Surgeon, educator and sculptor, McKenzie was born in Lanark County, Ontario. After graduating in medicine at McGill University, he became its Medical Director of Physical Training in 1894. A...

Surgeon, educator and sculptor, McKenzie was born in Lanark County, Ontario. After graduating in medicine at McGill University, he became its Medical Director of Physical Training in 1894....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Red Brick School

Opened in 1887, this charming two-room brick school, built by local contractor Fred Taber, replaced a smaller wood-frame building. School Section No. 5 in South Crosby is a very early example of...

Opened in 1887, this charming two-room brick school, built by local contractor Fred Taber, replaced a smaller wood-frame building. School Section No. 5 in South Crosby is a very early example of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Regiopolis College

Regiopolis College, incorporated March 4, 1837, by an Act of the legislature of Upper Canada, opened in the central portion of this building. Its corner-stone was laid by the school's founder,...

Regiopolis College, incorporated March 4, 1837, by an Act of the legislature of Upper Canada, opened in the central portion of this building. Its corner-stone was laid by the school's...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robert McLaughlin 1836-1921

Robert McLaughlin, a pioneer of the Canadian vehicle industry, was born in the family homestead on this property. In 1867, despite lack of technical training, he built two cutters in his...

Robert McLaughlin, a pioneer of the Canadian vehicle industry, was born in the family homestead on this property. In 1867, despite lack of technical training, he built two cutters in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Right Reverend John Strachan 1778-1867

Born in Scotland, Strachan came to Kingston in 1799. Ordained in 1803, he became rector of Cornwall and taught at its grammar school until named rector of York in 1812. In 1839 he was made first...

Born in Scotland, Strachan came to Kingston in 1799. Ordained in 1803, he became rector of Cornwall and taught at its grammar school until named rector of York in 1812. In 1839 he was made first...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal Canadian Mint

Constructed in 1905-1908 to house a branch of the British Royal Mint, this building was one of several designed in the late gothic style by the Department of Public Works in the first part of this...

Constructed in 1905-1908 to house a branch of the British Royal Mint, this building was one of several designed in the late gothic style by the Department of Public Works in the first part of this...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Reverend Charles W. Gordon 1860-1937

Born at Indian Lands (St. Elmo), Gordon was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1890. He served as a missionary in the North West Territories until 1893 and the following year was called to St....

Born at Indian Lands (St. Elmo), Gordon was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1890. He served as a missionary in the North West Territories until 1893 and the following year was called to St....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

R. Thomas Orr 1870-1957

A life-long member of the Stratford Parks Board, R. Thomas Orr was the driving force behind the Stratford parks system. Orr led the fight to save the riverfront and millpond from railway...

A life-long member of the Stratford Parks Board, R. Thomas Orr was the driving force behind the Stratford parks system. Orr led the fight to save the riverfront and millpond from...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rosseau- Nipissing Road

Designed to encourage settlement in what is now the Parry Sound District, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was authorized by the government in 1864. A survey was completed the following year by J.S....

Designed to encourage settlement in what is now the Parry Sound District, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was authorized by the government in 1864. A survey was completed the following year by...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Richmond Military Settlement 1818

In August, 1818, some thirty disbanded veterans of the 99th Regiment, led by Captain G.T. Burke, arrived in newly surveyed Goulbourn Township. These formed the advanced party of a military...

In August, 1818, some thirty disbanded veterans of the 99th Regiment, led by Captain G.T. Burke, arrived in newly surveyed Goulbourn Township. These formed the advanced party of a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal Sappers and Miners

In 1827 the Royal Sappers and Miners, the special construction corps of the British Army, raised the 7th and 15th Companies to serve in the building of the Rideau Canal. Comprising 160 skilled...

In 1827 the Royal Sappers and Miners, the special construction corps of the British Army, raised the 7th and 15th Companies to serve in the building of the Rideau Canal. Comprising 160 skilled...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rosamond Woolen Company

Between 1840 and 1870 woolen manufacturing emerged as a major Canadian industry. Mills were built in areas such as the Mississippi Valley, where waterpower, labour and wool supplies were abundant....

Between 1840 and 1870 woolen manufacturing emerged as a major Canadian industry. Mills were built in areas such as the Mississippi Valley, where waterpower, labour and wool supplies were abundant....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

RCAF Technical Training School

The only facility of its kind in Ontario during the Second World War, No. 1 Technical Training School, St. Thomas, was established by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939 to produce skilled ground...

The only facility of its kind in Ontario during the Second World War, No. 1 Technical Training School, St. Thomas, was established by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939 to produce skilled ground...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Reverend Johann Samuel Schwerdtfeger 1734-1803

The first Lutheran minister to settle in this province, Schwerdtfeger was born in Burgbernheim, Bavaria, and studied theology at the University of Erlangen. Emigrating to America in 1753, he...

The first Lutheran minister to settle in this province, Schwerdtfeger was born in Burgbernheim, Bavaria, and studied theology at the University of Erlangen. Emigrating to America in 1753, he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Red Fife Wheat

Red Fife Wheat, an early maturing, high quality variety, was discovered in 1842 by David Fife in an experimental plot on his farm here. For over 60 years it was "spring wheat" in Canada. It opened...

Red Fife Wheat, an early maturing, high quality variety, was discovered in 1842 by David Fife in an experimental plot on his farm here. For over 60 years it was "spring wheat" in Canada. It...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rivers and Streams Act of 1884

In the 1870s, Boyd Caldwell and Peter McLaren both owned timber rights on the upper Mississippi River. McLaren built a dam and timber slide at High Falls and refused to let Caldwell use the slide....

In the 1870s, Boyd Caldwell and Peter McLaren both owned timber rights on the upper Mississippi River. McLaren built a dam and timber slide at High Falls and refused to let Caldwell use the slide....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Royal Canadian Air Force No. 6 Service Flying Training School

With the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, one of Canada's major responsibilities was to provide air training facilities far removed from the theatre of war and so on December 17, 1939, the British...

With the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, one of Canada's major responsibilities was to provide air training facilities far removed from the theatre of war and so on December 17, 1939, the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reesor Siding Incident 1963

This is the site of one of the bloodiest clashes in Canadian labour history. In January 1963, a contract dispute led to a strike by members of the Lumber and Sawmill Workers' Union who cut...

This is the site of one of the bloodiest clashes in Canadian labour history. In January 1963, a contract dispute led to a strike by members of the Lumber and Sawmill Workers' Union who cut...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reverend George Buchanan 1761-1835

Born at Coupar-Angus, Scotland, Buchanan graduated in medicine from Edinburgh University. He later became a Presbyterian minister and was called to Upper Canada. He arrived in Beckwith Township in...

Born at Coupar-Angus, Scotland, Buchanan graduated in medicine from Edinburgh University. He later became a Presbyterian minister and was called to Upper Canada. He arrived in Beckwith Township...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown