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

Riverdale Park East

In 1856, the City of Toronto purchased 48 ha east of the Don River, including this park, for the building of the Don Jail. The land had previously been cultivated by John and Melicent Scadding,...

In 1856, the City of Toronto purchased 48 ha east of the Don River, including this park, for the building of the Don Jail. The land had previously been cultivated by John and Melicent...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal York Hotel

This hotel stands on town lots granted in 1798 to William Dummer Powell, who built a log house on the site in 1812. Brick houses built here in 1844 by Captain Thomas Dick later became Sword's...

This hotel stands on town lots granted in 1798 to William Dummer Powell, who built a log house on the site in 1812. Brick houses built here in 1844 by Captain Thomas Dick later became Sword's...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Riot at Christie Pits

On August 16, 1933, at the end of a playoff game for the Toronto junior softball championship, one of the city's most violent ethnic clashes broke out in this park (then known as Willowvale Park)....

On August 16, 1933, at the end of a playoff game for the Toronto junior softball championship, one of the city's most violent ethnic clashes broke out in this park (then known as Willowvale...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Roden Public School, @1922

What is now known as Roden School of Toronto had its beginning in November, 1906, in that section of the County of York known as the Midway, a part wedged in between Greenwood Ave. and the...

What is now known as Roden School of Toronto had its beginning in November, 1906, in that section of the County of York known as the Midway, a part wedged in between Greenwood Ave. and the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lee Comes to to Leesburg

Submitted by @jqmcd.

Submitted by @jqmcd.

  • leesburg
  • civil war
  • lee

Riverdale Heritage Conservation District

The Riverdale Heritage Conservation District was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2008 to protect portions of First Avenue, Tiverton Avenue, and West Avenue. The designation applies to...

The Riverdale Heritage Conservation District was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2008 to protect portions of First Avenue, Tiverton Avenue, and West Avenue. The designation applies to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rogers Batteryless Radio

In the early 1920s, radio receivers were powered by direct current from batteries that were awkward to use and needed frequent recharging. Edward S. "Ted" Rogers Sr., a Toronto radio engineer,...

In the early 1920s, radio receivers were powered by direct current from batteries that were awkward to use and needed frequent recharging. Edward S. "Ted" Rogers Sr., a Toronto radio...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal Norwegian Air Force 1940-1945

Here, during World War II, the Royal Norwegian Air Force trained its air and ground crews. Land for a training camp was provided free by the Toronto Harbour Commissioners at the foot of Bathurst...

Here, during World War II, the Royal Norwegian Air Force trained its air and ground crews. Land for a training camp was provided free by the Toronto Harbour Commissioners at the foot of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rebellion of 1837

Sir Francis Bond Head, a handsome, accomplished, adventuresome, former cavalry officer who had fought beside Wellington at Waterloo, was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada in 1836....

Sir Francis Bond Head, a handsome, accomplished, adventuresome, former cavalry officer who had fought beside Wellington at Waterloo, was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada in 1836....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Resting Place of Pioneers

In this area of the cemetery lie buried many of the inhabitants of the early town of "Muddy York". They were originally buried in "The Potter's Field", a plot of 2.4 ha in Yorkville at what is now...

In this area of the cemetery lie buried many of the inhabitants of the early town of "Muddy York". They were originally buried in "The Potter's Field", a plot of 2.4 ha in Yorkville at what is now...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Royal York Hotel

Designed in the Château style by Ross and Macdonald Architects and Sproatt and Ralph Architects, the Royal York Hotel was constructed for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1928-29, as part of a...

Designed in the Château style by Ross and Macdonald Architects and Sproatt and Ralph Architects, the Royal York Hotel was constructed for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1928-29, as part of a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rolph School

Dr. John Rolph (1793-1870), lawyer, physician and politician founded the first medical school in Upper Canada. As a reformer he was involved in the Rebellion of 1837 and fled to the United States....

Dr. John Rolph (1793-1870), lawyer, physician and politician founded the first medical school in Upper Canada. As a reformer he was involved in the Rebellion of 1837 and fled to the United...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Runnymede Branch, Toronto Public Library 1930

Nationally recognized for its distinctively Canadian style, Runnymede Branch was designed by John M. Lyle, one of this country's most distinguished 20th-century architects. In the 1920s, a surging...

Nationally recognized for its distinctively Canadian style, Runnymede Branch was designed by John M. Lyle, one of this country's most distinguished 20th-century architects. In the 1920s, a surging...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Riverdale Courts 1913 (with later additions)

A landmark in the early development of publicly supported rental-housing in Toronto, Riverdale Courts was constructed for the Toronto Housing Company, a business backed by the City of Toronto....

A landmark in the early development of publicly supported rental-housing in Toronto, Riverdale Courts was constructed for the Toronto Housing Company, a business backed by the City of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Royal Insurance Company of Canada

The Royal Insurance Company was founded in Liverpool, England, in 1845, and has served the North American market since 1851. It acquired the British American Assurance Company and the Western...

The Royal Insurance Company was founded in Liverpool, England, in 1845, and has served the North American market since 1851. It acquired the British American Assurance Company and the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robert Simpson Co. Warehouse 1910

The first Simpson Co. warehouse on this city block, this structure originally housed dry-goods, supplies, and a blacksmith shop for the company's local horse-drawn delivery service.Plaque via Alan...

The first Simpson Co. warehouse on this city block, this structure originally housed dry-goods, supplies, and a blacksmith shop for the company's local horse-drawn delivery service.Plaque via...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robert Gourlay 1778-1863

Banished from Upper Canada in 1819 on false charges of sedition brought by the Family Compact. His writings had an impact on events leading to the 1837 rebellion. Robert Gourlay championed reforms...

Banished from Upper Canada in 1819 on false charges of sedition brought by the Family Compact. His writings had an impact on events leading to the 1837 rebellion. Robert Gourlay championed reforms...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royals

Toronto was in love with a princess. On the day the heir to the British throne arrived in town, a deliriously happy crowd of half a million people lined the route from the airport to downtown,...

Toronto was in love with a princess. On the day the heir to the British throne arrived in town, a deliriously happy crowd of half a million people lined the route from the airport to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ryerson Polytechnical Institute

Named after the Reverend Egerton Ryerson founder of the province's educational system, the Ryerson Institute of Technology was established in 1948 to provide technological education for...

Named after the Reverend Egerton Ryerson founder of the province's educational system, the Ryerson Institute of Technology was established in 1948 to provide technological education for...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rosetta McClain Gardens

The 16 ha Rumph farm, overlooking Scarborough Bluffs, was purchased in 1904-1905 by Thomas McDonald West, owner and operator of J. & J. Taylor Limited, Toronto Safe Works. He and his wife Emma...

The 16 ha Rumph farm, overlooking Scarborough Bluffs, was purchased in 1904-1905 by Thomas McDonald West, owner and operator of J. & J. Taylor Limited, Toronto Safe Works. He and his wife Emma...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown