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

Colonel Graham Thomson Lyall, V.C. 1892-1941

Graham Thomson Lyall emigrated from Britain in 1911, eventually settling in Niagara Falls where he worked for the Canadian Niagara Power Company. In 1914, at the start of the First World War,...

Graham Thomson Lyall emigrated from Britain in 1911, eventually settling in Niagara Falls where he worked for the Canadian Niagara Power Company. In 1914, at the start of the First World...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The "Colored Corps" 1812-1815

When the War of 1812 began, people of African descent in the Niagara peninsular feared an American invasion. They were anxious to preserve their freedom and prove their loyalty to Britain. Many...

When the War of 1812 began, people of African descent in the Niagara peninsular feared an American invasion. They were anxious to preserve their freedom and prove their loyalty to Britain. Many...

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  • alan brown

Captain Frederick W. Campbell, V.C. 1867-1915

Born in Oxford County and raised near Mount Forest, Campbell saw active service in the South African War. He went overseas in 1914 with the first Canadian contingent and was posted to the 1st...

Born in Oxford County and raised near Mount Forest, Campbell saw active service in the South African War. He went overseas in 1914 with the first Canadian contingent and was posted to the 1st...

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  • alan brown

Church of St. Peter

This Anglican church was begun in 1851 to replace a frame building erected in 1820. Distinguished by the stepped battlements of its facade, the new building was designed in early Gothic Revival...

This Anglican church was begun in 1851 to replace a frame building erected in 1820. Distinguished by the stepped battlements of its facade, the new building was designed in early Gothic...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Colonel Elizabeth Smellie 1884-1968

This celebrated Canadian army nurse and public health authority was born in Port Arthur. In 1901 "Beth" Smellie became night supervisor at McKellar General Hospital. Joining the Royal Canadian...

This celebrated Canadian army nurse and public health authority was born in Port Arthur. In 1901 "Beth" Smellie became night supervisor at McKellar General Hospital. Joining the Royal Canadian...

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  • alan brown

Capture of the "Tigress" and "Scorpion"

Some 40 km southwest of here lies the Detour Passage between Drummond Island and Michigan's upper peninsula. In August, 1814, it was occupied by the armed U.S. schooners "Tigress" and "Scorpion",...

Some 40 km southwest of here lies the Detour Passage between Drummond Island and Michigan's upper peninsula. In August, 1814, it was occupied by the armed U.S. schooners "Tigress" and "Scorpion",...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Charles Clarke 1826-1909

A leader in the radical reform movement in 19th century Ontario, Clarke was born in Lincoln, England. In his youth he developed a keen interest in politics and, after emigrating to Upper Canada...

A leader in the radical reform movement in 19th century Ontario, Clarke was born in Lincoln, England. In his youth he developed a keen interest in politics and, after emigrating to Upper...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

C.D. Howe (1886-1960)

The dynamic "Minister of Everything", Massachusetts-born Clarence Decatur Howe immigrated to Canada in 1908 and established an engineering firm in Port Arthur in 1916. Elected to the House of...

The dynamic "Minister of Everything", Massachusetts-born Clarence Decatur Howe immigrated to Canada in 1908 and established an engineering firm in Port Arthur in 1916. Elected to the House of...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Cogwagee * Tom Longboat 1886-1949

An Onondaga from the Six Nations of the Grand River, Tom Longboat was one of the world's great long-distance runners. He ran his first race in Caledonia in 1905 and two years later shot to...

An Onondaga from the Six Nations of the Grand River, Tom Longboat was one of the world's great long-distance runners. He ran his first race in Caledonia in 1905 and two years later shot...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Christ Church

Begun in 1831 and completed the following year, this frame church was designed in the Gothic Revival style, customarily used in churches of that period. The Anglican congregation had been formed...

Begun in 1831 and completed the following year, this frame church was designed in the Gothic Revival style, customarily used in churches of that period. The Anglican congregation had been formed...

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  • alan brown

Cobalt Teletherapy Unit

In 1951 Canadian scientists, here and in Saskatoon, opened a new front in the battle against cancer. Through a pioneering partnership, the two teams of physicists, physicians and engineers,...

In 1951 Canadian scientists, here and in Saskatoon, opened a new front in the battle against cancer. Through a pioneering partnership, the two teams of physicists, physicians and engineers,...

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  • alan brown

Colonel Anthony Van Egmond 1778-1838

A native of Holland and veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, Van Egmond settled in this region in 1828. Under the general supervision of Dr. William 'Tiger' Dunlop, he constructed the newly-surveyed...

A native of Holland and veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, Van Egmond settled in this region in 1828. Under the general supervision of Dr. William 'Tiger' Dunlop, he constructed the...

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  • alan brown

The Capture of Detroit

Confident of victory, General Hull had invaded Canada in July 1812, but failed to take advantage of his early success and the demoralization of the defenders. Fear of the Indians then rallying to...

Confident of victory, General Hull had invaded Canada in July 1812, but failed to take advantage of his early success and the demoralization of the defenders. Fear of the Indians then rallying...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Christ's Church Cathedral

An important ecclesiastical centre for the Niagara Peninsula, Christ's Church was erected in stages, its form altered as the size and prominence of the congregation increased. Begun in 1835 as a...

An important ecclesiastical centre for the Niagara Peninsula, Christ's Church was erected in stages, its form altered as the size and prominence of the congregation increased. Begun in 1835 as a...

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Colonel The Honourable Thomas Talbot 1771-1853

Founder of the "Talbot Settlement", he was born at Castle Malahide, Ireland, a member of the Anglo-Irish nobility. In 1803, after serving in the British Army, and on Simcoe's staff, he was granted...

Founder of the "Talbot Settlement", he was born at Castle Malahide, Ireland, a member of the Anglo- Irish nobility. In 1803, after serving in the British Army, and on Simcoe's staff, he...

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  • alan brown

Charles Sangster 1822-1893

Sangster, one of the most significant Canadian poets of the pre-confederation period, was born at the naval yard, Point Frederick. In 1849 he edited the "Courier" at Amherstburg but the following...

Sangster, one of the most significant Canadian poets of the pre-confederation period, was born at the naval yard, Point Frederick. In 1849 he edited the "Courier" at Amherstburg but the...

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  • alan brown

Credit Indian Village 1826

In 1826 the government assisted a band of Mississauga, who had recently been converted to Christianity, to settle in this vicinity, and within five years laid out a village plot and constructed...

In 1826 the government assisted a band of Mississauga, who had recently been converted to Christianity, to settle in this vicinity, and within five years laid out a village plot and constructed...

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  • alan brown

Capture of Fort Niagara 1813

In the early morning of December 19th, 1813, a force under Colonel John Murray, consisting of detachments of the 100th and 41st Regiments, Royal Scots, Royal Artillery and Canadian militia,...

In the early morning of December 19th, 1813, a force under Colonel John Murray, consisting of detachments of the 100th and 41st Regiments, Royal Scots, Royal Artillery and Canadian...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Beatles

Beatlemania wasn't quite dead, but it was clearly on the wane. In 1964, on the first North American tour, the Fab Four were greeted by 10,000 fans at the airport in Toronto, and were mobbed at...

Beatlemania wasn't quite dead, but it was clearly on the wane. In 1964, on the first North American tour, the Fab Four were greeted by 10,000 fans at the airport in Toronto, and were mobbed at...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Coldwater Mill 1833

In 1830 Indians of the surrounding region were gathered on a reserve along a newly opened road connecting The Narrows (Orillia) and Coldwater. The superintendent, Capt. Thomas Gummersal Anderson...

In 1830 Indians of the surrounding region were gathered on a reserve along a newly opened road connecting The Narrows (Orillia) and Coldwater. The superintendent, Capt. Thomas Gummersal Anderson...

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  • alan brown