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The most recent plaques:

Mutual Life Head Office

The head office of The Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada (now the head office of Sun Life Financial's Canadian operations) was completed in 1912. Designed by Canadian architect Frank...

The head office of The Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada (now the head office of Sun Life Financial's Canadian operations) was completed in 1912. Designed by Canadian architect...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Mackenzie House and Family

Constructed about 1861, this house is a fine example of a blend of several Revival styles termed Ontario Classic Architecture, popular throughout the province during the second half of the...

Constructed about 1861, this house is a fine example of a blend of several Revival styles termed Ontario Classic Architecture, popular throughout the province during the second half of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Merrickville Blockhouse 1832

This is one of four blockhouses which, with some twelve other "defensible buildings", were constructed along the Rideau Canal. The canal, built 1826-32 by Lieutenant-Colonel John By, Royal...

This is one of four blockhouses which, with some twelve other "defensible buildings", were constructed along the Rideau Canal. The canal, built 1826-32 by Lieutenant-Colonel John By,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Martintown Grist Mill

This mill was built in 1846 to replace part of a milling complex developed by Malcolm McMartin early in the century. Like similar operations throughout the province, the McMartin mills provided...

This mill was built in 1846 to replace part of a milling complex developed by Malcolm McMartin early in the century. Like similar operations throughout the province, the McMartin mills provided...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Marie Dressler 1868-1934

Leila Maria Koerber, a talented actress and singer known internationally as Marie Dressler, was born in Cobourg. About 1883 she joined a touring stock company, later gaining recognition on...

Leila Maria Koerber, a talented actress and singer known internationally as Marie Dressler, was born in Cobourg. About 1883 she joined a touring stock company, later gaining recognition on...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Manitoulin Treaties 1836 and 1862

In 1836 the Ojibwa and Odawa inhabiting Manitoulin signed an agreement with the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada which made the Island a refuge for all First Nations. Authorities hoped that...

In 1836 the Ojibwa and Odawa inhabiting Manitoulin signed an agreement with the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada which made the Island a refuge for all First Nations. Authorities hoped that...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Marysburgh Settlement

Following the American Revolution, Marysburgh Township was established for the settlement of Loyalists and discharged soldiers of regular regiments. Surveyed in 1784 by the Honourable John...

Following the American Revolution, Marysburgh Township was established for the settlement of Loyalists and discharged soldiers of regular regiments. Surveyed in 1784 by the Honourable...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Mattawa Route

When west-bound voyageurs left the Ottawa here at Mattawa, "the forks," they faced 11 portages in the next 64 km. The Mattawa, or Petite-Rivière, was a key link in the historic canoe route between...

When west-bound voyageurs left the Ottawa here at Mattawa, "the forks," they faced 11 portages in the next 64 km. The Mattawa, or Petite-Rivière, was a key link in the historic canoe route...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Mill of Kintail and Robert Tait McKenzie

This grist-mill was constructed in 1830 by John Baird, a Scottish pioneer. In 1930 it was restored by Robert Tait McKenzie (1867-1938) the prominent Canadian surgeon, physical educator, and...

This grist-mill was constructed in 1830 by John Baird, a Scottish pioneer. In 1930 it was restored by Robert Tait McKenzie (1867-1938) the prominent Canadian surgeon, physical educator, and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonell (Aberchalder) c. 1750-1809

Born in Scotland, Macdonell came to New York in 1773. Commissioned ensign in the Royal Highland Emigrants (84th Regiment) in June 1775 and later transferred to Butler's Rangers, Macdonell served...

Born in Scotland, Macdonell came to New York in 1773. Commissioned ensign in the Royal Highland Emigrants (84th Regiment) in June 1775 and later transferred to Butler's Rangers, Macdonell...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Liberation of the Netherlands

Canada brought liberty and life to the Netherlands at the end of the Second World War. Between October 1944 and May 1945, with fierce fighting and heavy loss of life, the Canadian military opened...

Canada brought liberty and life to the Netherlands at the end of the Second World War. Between October 1944 and May 1945, with fierce fighting and heavy loss of life, the Canadian military opened...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel William Caldwell

Born about 1750 in Fermanagh County, Ireland, Caldwell emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1773. During the American Revolution he served with the British forces as a captain in Butler's Rangers at...

Born about 1750 in Fermanagh County, Ireland, Caldwell emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1773. During the American Revolution he served with the British forces as a captain in Butler's Rangers at...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Long Point Settlement

Long Point was known to traders and travellers before the area was purchased from the Mississauga Indians in 1784. In this unsurveyed area twenty to thirty "squatters" had settled by 1791, some of...

Long Point was known to traders and travellers before the area was purchased from the Mississauga Indians in 1784. In this unsurveyed area twenty to thirty "squatters" had settled by 1791, some...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Louis Hémon 1880-1913

The author of "Maria Chapdelaine", Hémon was born at Brest, France. He immigrated to Canada in 1911 and spent about eight months in the Lac St. Jean region of Quebec. While working on a farm near...

The author of "Maria Chapdelaine", Hémon was born at Brest, France. He immigrated to Canada in 1911 and spent about eight months in the Lac St. Jean region of Quebec. While working on a farm...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Ryerse 1752-1812

A United Empire Loyalist, Ryerse was commissioned in the 4th New Jersey Volunteers during the American Revolution, following which he took refuge in New Brunswick. In 1794 he came to Upper Canada,...

A United Empire Loyalist, Ryerse was commissioned in the 4th New Jersey Volunteers during the American Revolution, following which he took refuge in New Brunswick. In 1794 he came to Upper Canada,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Government Ditches: The Draining of Minnesota

Government Ditches: The Draining of Minnesota Drainage of surface water is vital to all aspects of development, from town sites to agricultural crop land.  Its importance, impact, and consequences...

Government Ditches: The Draining of Minnesota Drainage of surface water is vital to all aspects of development, from town sites to agricultural crop land.  Its importance, impact, and consequences...

  • minnesota
  • drainage ditches
  • i-90
  • jackson
  • rest stop
  • minnesota history

The Law Society of Upper Canada 1797

Following the introduction of English Civil Law into this province in 1792, legislation was passed in 1797 authorizing the establishment of the Law Society of Upper Canada. A founding meeting was...

Following the introduction of English Civil Law into this province in 1792, legislation was passed in 1797 authorizing the establishment of the Law Society of Upper Canada. A founding meeting...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Legislature of the Province of Canada 1841-1844

Following the union of Upper and Lower Canada in 1841, Kingston was chosen as the capital of the United Province. The new municipal hospital was hurriedly modified to provide temporary legislative...

Following the union of Upper and Lower Canada in 1841, Kingston was chosen as the capital of the United Province. The new municipal hospital was hurriedly modified to provide temporary legislative...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel Thain Wendell MacDowell, V.C., D.S.O., 1890-1960

Born at Lachute, Quebec, MacDowell moved to Maitland in 1897. He attended local schools and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1915. During World War I, he enlisted, on January 9, 1915,...

Born at Lachute, Quebec, MacDowell moved to Maitland in 1897. He attended local schools and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1915. During World War I, he enlisted, on January 9, 1915,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lawren Harris 1885-1970

Born into a prominent Brantford family, Lawren Harris began to paint as a child. At the University of Toronto, a professor noted he sketched during lectures and advised he be sent to Europe to...

Born into a prominent Brantford family, Lawren Harris began to paint as a child. At the University of Toronto, a professor noted he sketched during lectures and advised he be sent to Europe to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown