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

J.B. Tyrrell (1858-1957)

Joseph Burr Tyrrell, explorer and mining engineer, was born in Weston, Ontario on 1 November 1858. After graduation from the University of Toronto he joined the Canadian Geological Survey in 1881....

Joseph Burr Tyrrell, explorer and mining engineer, was born in Weston, Ontario on 1 November 1858. After graduation from the University of Toronto he joined the Canadian Geological Survey in 1881....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Bryce Milner Park

A native of Nova Scotia, James Bryce Milner (1918-1969) was professor of law at the University of Toronto and an internationally-recognized authority on town planning law. A member of several...

A native of Nova Scotia, James Bryce Milner (1918-1969) was professor of law at the University of Toronto and an internationally-recognized authority on town planning law. A member of several...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Mavor Moore CC D.Litt LL.D FRSC 1919-2006

Dramatist, composer, producer, director, actor, educator and arts advocate, Mavor Moore passionately believed Toronto deserved a performing arts centre. Canada's Centennial in 1967 provided the...

Dramatist, composer, producer, director, actor, educator and arts advocate, Mavor Moore passionately believed Toronto deserved a performing arts centre. Canada's Centennial in 1967 provided the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John M. Lyle Studio 1921

This façade was part of a studio designed by John M. Lyle for his architectural practice. Lyle, one of Canada's most distinguished architects, trained a number of noteworthy Canadian architects at...

This façade was part of a studio designed by John M. Lyle for his architectural practice. Lyle, one of Canada's most distinguished architects, trained a number of noteworthy Canadian architects at...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Johnny Lombardi 1915-2002

Johnny Lombardi 1915-2002One of this city's best-known personalities, John Barbalinardo "Johnny" Lombardi was a pioneer in the promotion of Toronto's cultural diversity. Born in this city to an...

Johnny Lombardi 1915-2002One of this city's best- known personalities, John Barbalinardo "Johnny" Lombardi was a pioneer in the promotion of Toronto's cultural diversity. Born in this city to an...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jarvis Street Baptist Church

The congregation of this church was formally organized in 1829, with chapels on Lombard Street (1832) and Bond Street (1848). Growing membership necessitated a new building, and this Gothic...

The congregation of this church was formally organized in 1829, with chapels on Lombard Street (1832) and Bond Street (1848). Growing membership necessitated a new building, and this...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jean-Baptiste Rousseaux 1758-1812

Rousseaux was the first European to settle in the Toronto area. He and his father were interpreters for the Indian Department and were licensed to trade in this region. In 1787 Jean-Baptiste...

Rousseaux was the first European to settle in the Toronto area. He and his father were interpreters for the Indian Department and were licensed to trade in this region. In 1787...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Simpson (1873-1938)

Born in England in 1873, Jimmie Simpson came to Canada at the age of 14. Starting as a factory worker, he became a printer and reporter covering City Hall activities for the Toronto Daily Star....

Born in England in 1873, Jimmie Simpson came to Canada at the age of 14. Starting as a factory worker, he became a printer and reporter covering City Hall activities for the Toronto Daily...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Wilson Bengough 1851-1923

Born in Toronto, Bengough, a cartoonist, journalist, poet and lecturer, demonstrated a remarkable versatility of talent. In 1873 he founded Grip, the weekly magazine of humour in which many of his...

Born in Toronto, Bengough, a cartoonist, journalist, poet and lecturer, demonstrated a remarkable versatility of talent. In 1873 he founded Grip, the weekly magazine of humour in which many of his...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jarvis Collegiate Institute

Established in 1807 as the Home District Grammar School, Jarvis Collegiate is one of the oldest public secondary schools in Ontario. In 1812 the Reverend John Strachan, later first Anglican Bishop...

Established in 1807 as the Home District Grammar School, Jarvis Collegiate is one of the oldest public secondary schools in Ontario. In 1812 the Reverend John Strachan, later first Anglican Bishop...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Joseph E. Atkinson (1865-1948)

One of Canada's most influential newspapermen, Atkinson became managing editor of the Toronto Star in 1899, and its majority owner by 1913. Originally hired by supporters of Sir Wilfred Laurier,...

One of Canada's most influential newspapermen, Atkinson became managing editor of the Toronto Star in 1899, and its majority owner by 1913. Originally hired by supporters of Sir Wilfred Laurier,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John J. Ward

The clock on this building was erected in the year 1932 by the City Council in memory of John J. Ward (1866-1914). Ward, a native of London Ontario, was a prominent reform-minded politician...

The clock on this building was erected in the year 1932 by the City Council in memory of John J. Ward (1866-1914). Ward, a native of London Ontario, was a prominent reform-minded politician...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Janet M. Magee 1898-1979

Erected in 1979, Janet Magee Manor was named in honour of Mrs. Janet Magee, a dedicated community worker in North Toronto. Born in Lombardy, Perth County, Ontario, she moved to Toronto in 1918 and...

Erected in 1979, Janet Magee Manor was named in honour of Mrs. Janet Magee, a dedicated community worker in North Toronto. Born in Lombardy, Perth County, Ontario, she moved to Toronto in 1918...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

J.E.H. MacDonald (1873-1932)

Painter, designer, and poet, J.E.H. MacDonald was a founding member of the Group of Seven and a key figure in the emergence of a national style of painting the Canadian landscape. A talented...

Painter, designer, and poet, J.E.H. MacDonald was a founding member of the Group of Seven and a key figure in the emergence of a national style of painting the Canadian landscape. A...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Joseph Simpson Knitting Mills

In 1865 Joseph Simpson established Toronto Knitting and Yarn Mills. His factory on this site opened in 1871. By 1893 the firm employed 200 workers with Simpson's sons, Ernest and Rupert, as...

In 1865 Joseph Simpson established Toronto Knitting and Yarn Mills. His factory on this site opened in 1871. By 1893 the firm employed 200 workers with Simpson's sons, Ernest and Rupert,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John B. Maclean House 1910

This residence was constructed as part of the estate of publisher John B. Maclean, founder of Maclean's magazine. The main house was never completed and this, the intended gatehouse, became...

This residence was constructed as part of the estate of publisher John B. Maclean, founder of Maclean's magazine. The main house was never completed and this, the intended gatehouse,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

J.J. Wright (1848-1922) Inventor and Electrical Innovator

John Joseph Wright introduced electric lighting to Toronto and pioneered the development and use of Canada's first electric street railways. Mr. Wright went on to a distinguished career as Vice...

John Joseph Wright introduced electric lighting to Toronto and pioneered the development and use of Canada's first electric street railways. Mr. Wright went on to a distinguished career as...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jacob Cummer 1797-1841

Jacob Cummer (Kummer) and his wife Elizabeth, emigrants from Pennsylvania and among the earliest settlers in Willowdale, established themselves on this site along Yonge Street in 1797. A farmer,...

Jacob Cummer (Kummer) and his wife Elizabeth, emigrants from Pennsylvania and among the earliest settlers in Willowdale, established themselves on this site along Yonge Street in 1797. A...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Jackes Site

On this site, ca. 1450 A.D., stood a prehistoric Iroquois village. The settlement, which covered about 2 ha, was probably palisaded and included several longhouses. David Boyle, later appointed...

On this site, ca. 1450 A.D., stood a prehistoric Iroquois village. The settlement, which covered about 2 ha, was probably palisaded and included several longhouses. David Boyle, later...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John James Rickard Macleod 1876-1935

J.J.R. Macleod lived here from 1919 to 1928. Born in Scotland, Macleod joined the staff of the University of Toronto as professor of physiology in 1918. In research conducted through his...

J.J.R. Macleod lived here from 1919 to 1928. Born in Scotland, Macleod joined the staff of the University of Toronto as professor of physiology in 1918. In research conducted through...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown