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The most recent plaques:

Frontenac County Court House

This grand Neo-classical building has served the courts of Frontenac County since its opening in 1858. Designed by the Dorset-born architect, Edward Horsey, it is superbly sited on land originally...

This grand Neo-classical building has served the courts of Frontenac County since its opening in 1858. Designed by the Dorset-born architect, Edward Horsey, it is superbly sited on land originally...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fort Mississauga

This tower and earthwork are all that survive of the barracks, guardroom, and cells of Fort Mississauga. Built between 1814 and 1816 to replace Fort George as the counterpoise to the American Fort...

This tower and earthwork are all that survive of the barracks, guardroom, and cells of Fort Mississauga. Built between 1814 and 1816 to replace Fort George as the counterpoise to the American Fort...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Walkerton

In 1850 Joseph Walker came here to the Durham Road where it crosses the Saugeen River. He built an inn and contracted to build two bridges and a part of the road. He and his son William were in...

In 1850 Joseph Walker came here to the Durham Road where it crosses the Saugeen River. He built an inn and contracted to build two bridges and a part of the road. He and his son William were in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fryfogel's Inn

Erected about 1844-45, this building was situated on the Huron Road, a pioneer highway which opened up the Canada Company's Huron Tract. Its original owner, Sebastian Fryfogel, said to be the...

Erected about 1844-45, this building was situated on the Huron Road, a pioneer highway which opened up the Canada Company's Huron Tract. Its original owner, Sebastian Fryfogel, said to be the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Sudbury

The establishment of a Canadian Pacific Railway work camp here in 1883 stimulated the growth of a frontier community. Within a year a bustling settlement containing boarding houses, stores, and a...

The establishment of a Canadian Pacific Railway work camp here in 1883 stimulated the growth of a frontier community. Within a year a bustling settlement containing boarding houses, stores, and a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Frederick Arthur Verner 1836-1928

Verner was born at Sheridan, Halton County, and educated at Guelph. In 1856 he went to England to study art. Returning to Toronto he established his first studio in 1862. Like his older...

Verner was born at Sheridan, Halton County, and educated at Guelph. In 1856 he went to England to study art. Returning to Toronto he established his first studio in 1862. Like his older...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Exeter

In 1833 the families of James Willis and William McConnell became the earliest settlers in this area. Within a year McConnell had erected mills here on the banks of the Aux Sables River near which...

In 1833 the families of James Willis and William McConnell became the earliest settlers in this area. Within a year McConnell had erected mills here on the banks of the Aux Sables River near which...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founder of Pembroke

Peter White, born in Edinburgh, was a merchant seaman when he was pressed into the Royal Navy in 1813 and sent to Canada. Following service on the Great Lakes under Commodore Sir James Yeo, he...

Peter White, born in Edinburgh, was a merchant seaman when he was pressed into the Royal Navy in 1813 and sent to Canada. Following service on the Great Lakes under Commodore Sir James Yeo, he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Newbury

The opening of a railway station near here in 1854 on the recently completed Great Western main line from Niagara Falls to Windsor provided the nucleus around which a community was soon...

The opening of a railway station near here in 1854 on the recently completed Great Western main line from Niagara Falls to Windsor provided the nucleus around which a community was soon...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Founding of Arthur

Arthur, named for Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, was the southern terminus of the Garafraxa "colonization road" to Owen Sound. Settlers arrived in 1840 but the townsite was not officially...

Arthur, named for Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, was the southern terminus of the Garafraxa "colonization road" to Owen Sound. Settlers arrived in 1840 but the townsite was not officially...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Huntsville

During the late 1860s a small agricultural settlement, founded largely through the efforts of Captain George Hunt, developed here. In 1870 a post office called Huntsville was established and the...

During the late 1860s a small agricultural settlement, founded largely through the efforts of Captain George Hunt, developed here. In 1870 a post office called Huntsville was established and the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Former Almonte Post Office

Begun in 1889 and finished in 1891, this building was erected to house postal and customs services. Federal chief architect Thomas Fuller was responsible for the design and Robert Cameron was the...

Begun in 1889 and finished in 1891, this building was erected to house postal and customs services. Federal chief architect Thomas Fuller was responsible for the design and Robert Cameron was the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Hanover

A tavern established here about 1849 by Abraham Buck provided the nucleus around which a small settlement began to develop. Strategically located at the intersection of the Durham Road and a...

A tavern established here about 1849 by Abraham Buck provided the nucleus around which a small settlement began to develop. Strategically located at the intersection of the Durham Road and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founder of Preston

Born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, John Erb (1764-1832) was a Mennonite of Swiss ancestry. He came to Upper Canada in 1805, acquired 3035 ha of land from the German Land Company, and settled...

Born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, John Erb (1764-1832) was a Mennonite of Swiss ancestry. He came to Upper Canada in 1805, acquired 3035 ha of land from the German Land Company, and settled...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

French Community in Welland

The neighbourhood that became commonly referred to as "French Town" was established in this area in 1918, when approximately 20 French-Canadian families arrived from Quebec to work at the Empire...

The neighbourhood that became commonly referred to as "French Town" was established in this area in 1918, when approximately 20 French-Canadian families arrived from Quebec to work at the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Brussels

In 1854 William Ainley purchased 80 ha of land here on the Middle Branch of the Maitland River. The following year he laid out a village plot which he named Ainleyville. A post office named Dingle...

In 1854 William Ainley purchased 80 ha of land here on the Middle Branch of the Maitland River. The following year he laid out a village plot which he named Ainleyville. A post office named Dingle...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Newmarket

In 1801 Joseph Hill, attracted by the water-power potential of the Holland River, built a grist-mill on the site of present day Newmarket and opened a general store. The settlement here in...

In 1801 Joseph Hill, attracted by the water-power potential of the Holland River, built a grist-mill on the site of present day Newmarket and opened a general store. The settlement here in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

First Forestry Station 1908

Here, on 40 ha of wind-eroded sandy land, the Ontario government established Canada's first provincial forestry station. That father of reforestation in Ontario, Edmund John Zavitz, was born July...

Here, on 40 ha of wind-eroded sandy land, the Ontario government established Canada's first provincial forestry station. That father of reforestation in Ontario, Edmund John Zavitz, was born July...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Frederick Stanley Haines 1879-1960

One of Ontario's outstanding artists and teachers, Haines was born in Meaford and educated at this school. In 1896 he moved to Toronto where he attended the Central Ontario School of Art. He later...

One of Ontario's outstanding artists and teachers, Haines was born in Meaford and educated at this school. In 1896 he moved to Toronto where he attended the Central Ontario School of Art. He later...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

French-Canadian Settlement and the CPR in the Mattawa Area

Francophone settlement rapidly increased in the Mattawa area with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1881. During construction of the rail line, the local economy benefitted from...

Francophone settlement rapidly increased in the Mattawa area with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1881. During construction of the rail line, the local economy benefitted from...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown