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 W.J. Stewart, CBE, CD 1889-1969

A lifelong citizen of Toronto, William James Stewart devoted most of his life to public service. He served as alderman, 1924-30, and as mayor 1931-34. During his tenure as mayor he was...

A lifelong citizen of Toronto, William James Stewart devoted most of his life to public service. He served as alderman, 1924-30, and as mayor 1931-34. During his tenure as mayor he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes 1886-1986 Centennial

This church was erected as a gift from the clergy of the Archdiocese to the Most Reverend John Joseph Lynch, D.D., the first Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto, on the occasion of the 25th...

This church was erected as a gift from the clergy of the Archdiocese to the Most Reverend John Joseph Lynch, D.D., the first Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto, on the occasion of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Confederation Life Building 1892

Once one of Toronto's grandest office buildings, this landmark served as the headquarters of the Confederation Life Association until 1955. Plans for the building arose from an international...

Once one of Toronto's grandest office buildings, this landmark served as the headquarters of the Confederation Life Association until 1955. Plans for the building arose from an...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Creed's Storage Vaults Ltd. 1937

Designed by architect H.G. Duerr to store furs, this building was constructed following the widening of Davenport Road in the 1930s. Its horizontal orientation and curved façade are characteristic...

Designed by architect H.G. Duerr to store furs, this building was constructed following the widening of Davenport Road in the 1930s. Its horizontal orientation and curved façade are characteristic...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Church of All Nations

This site was originally part of lands owned in the late 1830s by John Henry Dunn, Receiver-General of Upper Canada. It was purchased in the 1840s by the Methodists to build a small chapel and...

This site was originally part of lands owned in the late 1830s by John Henry Dunn, Receiver- General of Upper Canada. It was purchased in the 1840s by the Methodists to build a small chapel and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canadian General Electric Company Building 1908

Originally the head office of the Canadian General Electric Company, this building was designed in the Beaux-Arts Classical style by the noted architecture firm of Darling and Pearson. It was the...

Originally the head office of the Canadian General Electric Company, this building was designed in the Beaux-Arts Classical style by the noted architecture firm of Darling and Pearson. It was the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Castle Frank Brook

Castle Frank Brook is about 12 kilometres long. It runs from Downsview airport to the tip of Parliament Street. Five tributaries - Fairbank, Cedarvale, Nordheimer, Yorkville and Rosedale Valley...

Castle Frank Brook is about 12 kilometres long. It runs from Downsview airport to the tip of Parliament Street. Five tributaries - Fairbank, Cedarvale, Nordheimer, Yorkville and Rosedale Valley...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Church of Christ 1891

This building was designed by the architecture firm of Knox and Elliot as a Romanesque Revival-style church for a congregation of the Disciples of Christ. Its subsequent uses tell the story of a...

This building was designed by the architecture firm of Knox and Elliot as a Romanesque Revival- style church for a congregation of the Disciples of Christ. Its subsequent uses tell the story of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Colonel Samuel Smith Park

Colonel Samuel Smith Park recognizes one of Etobicoke's first settlers. In 1793, Smith, of the Queen's Rangers, was granted Crown land by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe. Smith's tract...

Colonel Samuel Smith Park recognizes one of Etobicoke's first settlers. In 1793, Smith, of the Queen's Rangers, was granted Crown land by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe. Smith's tract...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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