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

Church of St. Nicholas

The Anglican parish of St. Nicholas was founded in 1912 to serve the growing village of Birch Cliff. This building, opened in 1917, was designed by Toronto architect Harold Carter. Its steep roof...

The Anglican parish of St. Nicholas was founded in 1912 to serve the growing village of Birch Cliff. This building, opened in 1917, was designed by Toronto architect Harold Carter. Its steep...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Cathedral of St. Alban-the-Martyr

Founded by Bishop Arthur Sweatman in 1883, St. Alban-the-Martyr served as the Cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. Provincial legislation established the Cathedral Chapter and then...

Founded by Bishop Arthur Sweatman in 1883, St. Alban-the-Martyr served as the Cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. Provincial legislation established the Cathedral Chapter and then...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

CN Tower 25 Years 1976-2001

For 25 years, the CN Tower has maintained its status as the World's Tallest Building and Free-standing Structure. It continues to define the Toronto skyline, provide a critical element of the...

For 25 years, the CN Tower has maintained its status as the World's Tallest Building and Free- standing Structure. It continues to define the Toronto skyline, provide a critical element of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canadian Military Institute Building 1908

This is one of the few remaining early buildings on University Avenue. Across the street from the Armouries (demolished 1963), it was designed in the Beaux-Arts style for the Canadian Military...

This is one of the few remaining early buildings on University Avenue. Across the street from the Armouries (demolished 1963), it was designed in the Beaux-Arts style for the Canadian...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Chudleigh

George Lissant Beardmore, a prosperous tanner, built this house, named for his birthplace, in 1871-72, with additions and alterations by Eden Smith, Architect, in 1890. His son, George Wathen...

George Lissant Beardmore, a prosperous tanner, built this house, named for his birthplace, in 1871-72, with additions and alterations by Eden Smith, Architect, in 1890. His son, George...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canada Cycle & Motor

During the late 1800s, the bicycle went through a major technological advancement. The diamond-shaped frame permitted gear shift and the rear tire, rather than the front tire, to propel the...

During the late 1800s, the bicycle went through a major technological advancement. The diamond- shaped frame permitted gear shift and the rear tire, rather than the front tire, to propel...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

"The Church Built in a Day"

Early on June 11, 1906, volunteers from St. Barnabas Church (Chester), led by the Rev. Frank Vipond, began construction here of a wooden church. That evening, a service was held in the new...

Early on June 11, 1906, volunteers from St. Barnabas Church (Chester), led by the Rev. Frank Vipond, began construction here of a wooden church. That evening, a service was held in the new...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The "Canada First" Movement

Originating in Ottawa, in 1868, with informal meetings of a few youthful patriots, 'Canada First' was the name and slogan of a movement to promote nationalist sentiment. Its founding members were...

Originating in Ottawa, in 1868, with informal meetings of a few youthful patriots, 'Canada First' was the name and slogan of a movement to promote nationalist sentiment. Its founding members were...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Canadian Bank of Commerce Building 1929-1931

Upon completion, this 34-storey skyscraper was the tallest building in the British Empire and was praised as the "greatest addition to Toronto's increasing, Manhattan-like skyline." It was...

Upon completion, this 34-storey skyscraper was the tallest building in the British Empire and was praised as the "greatest addition to Toronto's increasing, Manhattan-like skyline." It...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canadian National Exhibition

The second half of the 19th century was an era in which technological innovation brought rapid economic progress and social change. The spirit of the age was reflected in an annual fair that first...

The second half of the 19th century was an era in which technological innovation brought rapid economic progress and social change. The spirit of the age was reflected in an annual fair that...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Carfrae Chapel

Thomas Carfrae Jr. was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1796. Carfrae was instrumental in establishing the York Mechanics' Institute (1832) which later became the Toronto Public Library. He served...

Thomas Carfrae Jr. was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1796. Carfrae was instrumental in establishing the York Mechanics' Institute (1832) which later became the Toronto Public Library. He served...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Community Centre 55

This was the site of East Toronto Town Hall built in 1888. East Toronto was annexed to the City in 1909 and in 1911 the hall was replaced by Police Station No.10, later renamed No.55. Designed by...

This was the site of East Toronto Town Hall built in 1888. East Toronto was annexed to the City in 1909 and in 1911 the hall was replaced by Police Station No.10, later renamed No.55. Designed...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Corporal Frederick George Topham, V.C. 1917-1974

Born in Toronto, Topham was educated here before working in the mines at Kirkland Lake. He enlisted on August 3, 1942, and served at home and abroad as a medical orderly. On March 24, 1945, while...

Born in Toronto, Topham was educated here before working in the mines at Kirkland Lake. He enlisted on August 3, 1942, and served at home and abroad as a medical orderly. On March 24, 1945,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Chapel of St. James- The-Less

In its vigorous, harmonious composition, this small funeral chapel is a splendid example of High Victorian Gothic design. Its sense of strength and spirituality is derived from the subtle contrast...

In its vigorous, harmonious composition, this small funeral chapel is a splendid example of High Victorian Gothic design. Its sense of strength and spirituality is derived from the subtle...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canada vs Russia

All was again right with the world.What had happened three nights earlier, when a team of National Hockey League all-stars lost to the best of the Soviet Union 7-3 at the Montreal Forum in the...

All was again right with the world.What had happened three nights earlier, when a team of National Hockey League all-stars lost to the best of the Soviet Union 7-3 at the Montreal Forum in the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canada's First Air Mail

At 10:12 a.m. on June 24, 1918, Captain Brian Peck of the Royal Air Force and mechanic Corporal C.W. Mathers took off from the Bois Franc Polo Grounds in Montreal in a JN-4 Curtiss two-seater...

At 10:12 a.m. on June 24, 1918, Captain Brian Peck of the Royal Air Force and mechanic Corporal C.W. Mathers took off from the Bois Franc Polo Grounds in Montreal in a JN-4 Curtiss two-seater...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The College Gates

These wrought iron lock-up gates were purchased by the College in 1888 for the main entrance to its newly constructed offices at 371 Bay Street, located on the south east corner of Bay and...

These wrought iron lock-up gates were purchased by the College in 1888 for the main entrance to its newly constructed offices at 371 Bay Street, located on the south east corner of Bay...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canada's First Electric Telegraph

19 December 1846 marked the inauguration of the telegraph in Canada. This major development in communications was pioneered by the Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara Electro-Magnetic Telegraph Company...

19 December 1846 marked the inauguration of the telegraph in Canada. This major development in communications was pioneered by the Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara Electro-Magnetic Telegraph Company...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Cliff Lumsdon Park

Cliff Lumsdon was born April 13, 1931. By the age of eighteen, he had earned international acclaim for long distance swimming, winning the first of his four World Championships. Seven years later,...

Cliff Lumsdon was born April 13, 1931. By the age of eighteen, he had earned international acclaim for long distance swimming, winning the first of his four World Championships. Seven years...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Cathedral Church of St. James

In 1796 the first Anglican priest arrived from England to minister to the citizens of York. The following year the Province set aside this piece of land for the building of a church. The present...

In 1796 the first Anglican priest arrived from England to minister to the citizens of York. The following year the Province set aside this piece of land for the building of a church. The...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown