A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.

Burlington Bay Canal

The first public work undertaken with the financial backing of the provincial government, Burlington Bay Canal was proposed as one of a series of waterways to provide uninterrupted navigation from...

The first public work undertaken with the financial backing of the provincial government, Burlington Bay Canal was proposed as one of a series of waterways to provide uninterrupted navigation from...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Banting House

Here, in the early morning hours of October 31, 1920, Dr. Frederick Banting conceived an idea for research that led to the discovery of insulin. He believed that diabetes, then a fatal disease,...

Here, in the early morning hours of October 31, 1920, Dr. Frederick Banting conceived an idea for research that led to the discovery of insulin. He believed that diabetes, then a fatal...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Bay of Quinte Carrying Place

Following the peace settlement of 1783 the British sought alternative trade routes north of the new boundary. Among these was the communication, via river and portage, between Lakes Ontario and...

Following the peace settlement of 1783 the British sought alternative trade routes north of the new boundary. Among these was the communication, via river and portage, between Lakes Ontario...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Bobcaygeon Road

This colonization road was designed to open up the districts lying inland from the settled townships. Construction began in 1856 from Bobcaygeon running northward to the interior of Haliburton. In...

This colonization road was designed to open up the districts lying inland from the settled townships. Construction began in 1856 from Bobcaygeon running northward to the interior of Haliburton. In...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

B. Napier Simpson, Jr. 1925-1978

A prominent Ontario architect, Simpson was born and educated in Toronto. After graduating from university in 1951, he established a thriving private practice and soon became involved in public...

A prominent Ontario architect, Simpson was born and educated in Toronto. After graduating from university in 1951, he established a thriving private practice and soon became involved in public...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Belle Vue

Built between 1816 and 1819 for Robert Reynolds, Deputy Assistant Commissary General of the garrison at Fort Malden, Belle Vue is one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in Canada. In...

Built between 1816 and 1819 for Robert Reynolds, Deputy Assistant Commissary General of the garrison at Fort Malden, Belle Vue is one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in Canada. In...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Burlington Glass Works 1874

The Burlington Glass Works, formerly situated here, was one of the most important 19th century glass houses in Canada in terms of the variety and quality of its production. From 1874 to about 1897...

The Burlington Glass Works, formerly situated here, was one of the most important 19th century glass houses in Canada in terms of the variety and quality of its production. From 1874 to about...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Bath Academy 1811

On this site stood the Bath Academy, Lennox & Addington's earliest public school, founded in 1811 by means of local subscriptions. During the War of 1812 it was used for a time as a military...

On this site stood the Bath Academy, Lennox & Addington's earliest public school, founded in 1811 by means of local subscriptions. During the War of 1812 it was used for a time as a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Buxton Settlement

From the shores of Lake Erie to the seventh concession, from Dillon Road on the east to Drake Road on the west, Buxton's ordered fields are dotted with churches and homes from the epic experience...

From the shores of Lake Erie to the seventh concession, from Dillon Road on the east to Drake Road on the west, Buxton's ordered fields are dotted with churches and homes from the epic experience...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Battle of Stoney Creek 1813

On June 5, 1813, an invading United States army of about 3,000 men, commanded by Brigadier-General John Chandler, camped in this vicinity. That evening some 700 British regulars of the 8th and...

On June 5, 1813, an invading United States army of about 3,000 men, commanded by Brigadier-General John Chandler, camped in this vicinity. That evening some 700 British regulars of the 8th...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

"Bellevue" 1816

This house, one of the finest remaining examples of domestic Georgian architecture in Ontario, was commenced in 1816 and completed about 1819 by Robert Reynolds, the commissary to the garrison at...

This house, one of the finest remaining examples of domestic Georgian architecture in Ontario, was commenced in 1816 and completed about 1819 by Robert Reynolds, the commissary to the garrison...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Bytown and Prescott Railway Company 1850

This company, incorporated in 1850, built a railway from Prescott to Bytown (Ottawa) for the shipment of lumber and farm products to the markets of the northeastern United States and Montreal....

This company, incorporated in 1850, built a railway from Prescott to Bytown (Ottawa) for the shipment of lumber and farm products to the markets of the northeastern United States and Montreal....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Bethune-Thompson House

Historic construction techniques and classic design are combined in this early Ontario home. The vertical log south wing may date from the 1780s when Loyalist Peter Ferguson settled on the site....

Historic construction techniques and classic design are combined in this early Ontario home. The vertical log south wing may date from the 1780s when Loyalist Peter Ferguson settled on the site....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

"The Bloody Assize" 1814

During the war of 1812 marauding bands of renegade settlers, many of whom had defected to the United States from the Niagara and London Districts, were active in Southwestern Upper Canada. A...

During the war of 1812 marauding bands of renegade settlers, many of whom had defected to the United States from the Niagara and London Districts, were active in Southwestern Upper Canada. A...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Billings House

Park Hill was built by Braddish Billings, a pioneer in local lumbering and agriculture. Born in Massachusetts in 1783, he was the first settler of Gloucester Township in 1812, his homestead...

Park Hill was built by Braddish Billings, a pioneer in local lumbering and agriculture. Born in Massachusetts in 1783, he was the first settler of Gloucester Township in 1812, his...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Brethren in Christ Church

A distinctive religious denomination similar in doctrine and practice to Mennonite assemblies, the Brethren in Christ Church emerged in Pennsylvania during the 1770s. It was established in Upper...

A distinctive religious denomination similar in doctrine and practice to Mennonite assemblies, the Brethren in Christ Church emerged in Pennsylvania during the 1770s. It was established in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Beechwood Cemetery

This cemetery is a very good example of the type of rural cemetery that emerged in the United States and Canada in the 19th century. Developed from 1873 on rolling terrain bordered by a forest,...

This cemetery is a very good example of the type of rural cemetery that emerged in the United States and Canada in the 19th century. Developed from 1873 on rolling terrain bordered by a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909

This treaty was negotiated by the United States and Great Britain to establish mechanisms for resolving issues over the use of water along the Canadian-American boundary. George Gibbons, a lawyer...

This treaty was negotiated by the United States and Great Britain to establish mechanisms for resolving issues over the use of water along the Canadian-American boundary. George Gibbons, a lawyer...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Brockville, Westport & Sault Ste. Marie Railway

This railway received its charter in 1884, and on July 1, 1888, began service between Westport and Brockville, a distance of 73 km. Lack of funds prevented the extension of this ambitious line...

This railway received its charter in 1884, and on July 1, 1888, began service between Westport and Brockville, a distance of 73 km. Lack of funds prevented the extension of this ambitious...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ball's Grist-Mill

By 1809 John and George Ball had constructed a four-storey grist-mill here on Twenty Mile Creek. Equipped with two run of stones, the mill provided flour for British troops during the War of 1812....

By 1809 John and George Ball had constructed a four-storey grist-mill here on Twenty Mile Creek. Equipped with two run of stones, the mill provided flour for British troops during the War of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown