A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
Explore the nearly 25,000 worldwide plaques on the Big Map big map screenshot
The most recent plaques:

Alexander Morris 1826-1889

An astute public servant who played a significant role in the development of Western Canada, Morris was born in Perth. In 1861, after establishing a successful law practice in Montreal, he was...

An astute public servant who played a significant role in the development of Western Canada, Morris was born in Perth. In 1861, after establishing a successful law practice in Montreal, he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Andrew Frederick Hunter 1863-1940

This distinguished historian and archaeologist was born in Innisfil Township, graduated from the University of Toronto in 1889 and was editor of the Barrie Examiner 1889-95. His extensive...

This distinguished historian and archaeologist was born in Innisfil Township, graduated from the University of Toronto in 1889 and was editor of the Barrie Examiner 1889-95. His...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Austin Airways 1934-1987

Austin Airways, a pioneering aviation firm, played a leading role in the economic development of the Ontario north in the mid-twentieth century. At first its main business was flying Toronto...

Austin Airways, a pioneering aviation firm, played a leading role in the economic development of the Ontario north in the mid-twentieth century. At first its main business was flying Toronto...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Arctic Watershed

The height of land known as the Arctic Watershed crosses Highway 11 at this point. North of here, water drains into Hudson Bay; rivers, lakes and streams to the south flow into the Great Lakes. As...

The height of land known as the Arctic Watershed crosses Highway 11 at this point. North of here, water drains into Hudson Bay; rivers, lakes and streams to the south flow into the Great Lakes....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Addington Road

This Colonization Road extended for about 117 km northward from the Clare River in Sheffield Township to the Peterson Road in Brundell Township. It formed part of a network of government roads...

This Colonization Road extended for about 117 km northward from the Clare River in Sheffield Township to the Peterson Road in Brundell Township. It formed part of a network of government roads...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Algonquin Provincial Park

Established in 1893, Algonquin was the first provincial park in Canada and the forerunner of Ontario's extensive park system. Many methods now used across Canada to administer multi-purpose parks...

Established in 1893, Algonquin was the first provincial park in Canada and the forerunner of Ontario's extensive park system. Many methods now used across Canada to administer multi-purpose parks...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ailsa Craig

The founding of this community coincided with the construction of the section of the Grand Trunk Railway line from St. Mary's to Point Edward, begun in 1858 and completed a year later. In 1861...

The founding of this community coincided with the construction of the section of the Grand Trunk Railway line from St. Mary's to Point Edward, begun in 1858 and completed a year later. In...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Albert Carman 1833-1917

A commanding figure in Canadian Methodism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Carman was born in Iroquois and educated at Victoria College, Cobourg. He worked briefly as a teacher and...

A commanding figure in Canadian Methodism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Carman was born in Iroquois and educated at Victoria College, Cobourg. He worked briefly as a teacher and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Asa Turner

One of the first Baptist missionaries to serve the scattered communities along the north shore of Lake Ontario, Turner came to Upper Canada from New York State and settled in this vicinity by...

One of the first Baptist missionaries to serve the scattered communities along the north shore of Lake Ontario, Turner came to Upper Canada from New York State and settled in this vicinity by...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ahyouwaeghs * John Brant 1794-1832

John Brant was born at the Mohawk Village (Brantford), the youngest son of the renowned Joseph Brant. He was educated at Ancaster and Niagara, and fought with distinction during the War of 1812....

John Brant was born at the Mohawk Village (Brantford), the youngest son of the renowned Joseph Brant. He was educated at Ancaster and Niagara, and fought with distinction during the War of 1812....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Agnes Campbell Macphail (1890-1954)

Agnes Macphail was the first woman to be elected to the House of Commons following the enfranchisement of women in Canada. A rural schoolteacher, she joined the United Farmers of Ontario, and ran...

Agnes Macphail was the first woman to be elected to the House of Commons following the enfranchisement of women in Canada. A rural schoolteacher, she joined the United Farmers of Ontario, and ran...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Allan Studholme, 1846-1919

The first independent labour representative elected to the Ontario legislature, Studholme was born near Birmingham, England. He emigrated to Canada in 1870, eventually settling in Hamilton. A...

The first independent labour representative elected to the Ontario legislature, Studholme was born near Birmingham, England. He emigrated to Canada in 1870, eventually settling in Hamilton....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Abraham Erb 1772-1830

Like many pioneers of this district, the founder of Waterloo was a German Mennonite from Franklin County, Pennsylvania. In 1805 he purchased 365 ha of bush land on the site of this town. He...

Like many pioneers of this district, the founder of Waterloo was a German Mennonite from Franklin County, Pennsylvania. In 1805 he purchased 365 ha of bush land on the site of this town. He...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Aurora Public School

Constructed in 1886, the Aurora Public School is one of the finest remaining examples in Ontario of a public school designed in the High Victorian manner. The building features a picturesque or...

Constructed in 1886, the Aurora Public School is one of the finest remaining examples in Ontario of a public school designed in the High Victorian manner. The building features a picturesque...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Archibald Lampman 1861-1899

Born in Morpeth, Upper Canada, Lampman spent most of his short adult life unhappily working as a clerk in the Post Office Department in Ottawa, for poetry was his true vocation. One of the...

Born in Morpeth, Upper Canada, Lampman spent most of his short adult life unhappily working as a clerk in the Post Office Department in Ottawa, for poetry was his true vocation. One of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Armenian Boys' Farm Home, Georgetown

On July 1, 1923, a group of 50 Armenian boys arrived at this farm site from an orphanage in Corfu, Greece. The 'Georgetown Boys,' as they came to be known, arrived in Canada between 1923 and 1927...

On July 1, 1923, a group of 50 Armenian boys arrived at this farm site from an orphanage in Corfu, Greece. The 'Georgetown Boys,' as they came to be known, arrived in Canada between 1923 and 1927...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

York Wilson

R. York Wilson R.C.A., O.S.A. achieved international acclaim during his long and active career. Born in Toronto, he first exhibited his paintings in 1931 and had more than 70 solo exhibitions....

R. York Wilson R.C.A., O.S.A. achieved international acclaim during his long and active career. Born in Toronto, he first exhibited his paintings in 1931 and had more than 70 solo exhibitions....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

York Council Chambers 1907-1950

The Township of York held council meetings above this branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from 1907 to 1950. This plaque commemorates the 180th anniversary of the founding of the...

The Township of York held council meetings above this branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from 1907 to 1950. This plaque commemorates the 180th anniversary of the founding of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

York Mills Presbyterian Church circa 1836

On this embankment stood the first Presbyterian church in what later became North York. Originally constructed on James Hogg's property on the east side of Yonge Street, the church building was...

On this embankment stood the first Presbyterian church in what later became North York. Originally constructed on James Hogg's property on the east side of Yonge Street, the church building...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

York Mills

York Mills was established around mill sites on the west branch of the Don River. The community underwent several name changes which usually reflected the names of the most powerful mill owners....

York Mills was established around mill sites on the west branch of the Don River. The community underwent several name changes which usually reflected the names of the most powerful mill owners....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown