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:

Royal Flying Corps Hangars

The Royal Flying Corps hangars at Camp Borden are the oldest examples of this type of construction in existence in Canada. These hangars, which are an essential element of the first Canadian...

The Royal Flying Corps hangars at Camp Borden are the oldest examples of this type of construction in existence in Canada. These hangars, which are an essential element of the first...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reverend Peter Jones 1802-1856

This house, "Echo Villa", was built by the Reverend Peter Jones (Kahkewaquonaby) who lived here from 1851 until his death. Son of the noted surveyor, Augustus Jones, and Tuhbenahneequay, a...

This house, "Echo Villa", was built by the Reverend Peter Jones (Kahkewaquonaby) who lived here from 1851 until his death. Son of the noted surveyor, Augustus Jones, and Tuhbenahneequay,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reverend Silas Huntington, 1829-1905

A zealous Methodist missionary descended from an early New England family, Huntington was born in Kemptville. With his ordination in 1854 he commenced a long Christian ministry, serving various...

A zealous Methodist missionary descended from an early New England family, Huntington was born in Kemptville. With his ordination in 1854 he commenced a long Christian ministry, serving various...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rideau Waterway

Constructed 1826-32 by the British government for military purposes, but used principally for commerce, the Rideau waterway, together with the lower Ottawa River, was the first canalized route...

Constructed 1826-32 by the British government for military purposes, but used principally for commerce, the Rideau waterway, together with the lower Ottawa River, was the first canalized...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rama Indian Reserve

In 1830 Sir John Colborne, lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada (1828-1836), settled several nomadic bands of Indians on a reserve stretching along the portage between the Atherley Narrows and...

In 1830 Sir John Colborne, lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada (1828-1836), settled several nomadic bands of Indians on a reserve stretching along the portage between the Atherley Narrows and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Raid on Fort Schlosser 1813

At daybreak on July 5, 1813, a British and Canadian force, consisting of some 35 militia and a small detachment of the 49th Regiment, embarked in this vicinity to attack Fort Schlosser. This...

At daybreak on July 5, 1813, a British and Canadian force, consisting of some 35 militia and a small detachment of the 49th Regiment, embarked in this vicinity to attack Fort Schlosser....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reverend William Proudfoot 1788-1851

An outstanding Presbyterian missionary and church leader, William Proudfoot was born near Peebles, Scotland and educated at the University of Edinburgh. Ordained in 1813, he served in Scotland...

An outstanding Presbyterian missionary and church leader, William Proudfoot was born near Peebles, Scotland and educated at the University of Edinburgh. Ordained in 1813, he served in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Right Reverend Isaac Hellmuth 1817-1901

Born in Poland and educated at Breslau University, Hellmuth lived briefly in England before emigrating to Canada in 1844, where, two years later, he was ordained in the Church of England....

Born in Poland and educated at Breslau University, Hellmuth lived briefly in England before emigrating to Canada in 1844, where, two years later, he was ordained in the Church of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rideau Hall

Built in 1839 for Thomas McKay, Rideau Hall was originally an elegant stone villa set in a picturesque landscaped park. In 1865 it was leased as a temporary residence for the Governor General...

Built in 1839 for Thomas McKay, Rideau Hall was originally an elegant stone villa set in a picturesque landscaped park. In 1865 it was leased as a temporary residence for the Governor...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Reverend Adolphus Egerton Ryerson 1803-1882

This outstanding educationist, journalist and clergyman, the son of an Anglican Loyalist, was born near Vittoria. He entered the Methodist ministry in 1825 serving as a circuit rider and...

This outstanding educationist, journalist and clergyman, the son of an Anglican Loyalist, was born near Vittoria. He entered the Methodist ministry in 1825 serving as a circuit rider...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

"Rockwood" 1842

Rockwood was built in 1842 as a country villa for John Solomon Cartwright (1804-1845). Designed by George Browne, architect of the Kingston City Hall, in a monumental phase of the Regency style,...

Rockwood was built in 1842 as a country villa for John Solomon Cartwright (1804-1845). Designed by George Browne, architect of the Kingston City Hall, in a monumental phase of the Regency...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rat Portage Post

On Old Fort Island .8 km north of here, the Hudson's Bay Company erected a stockaded fur trading post about 1836. This was the first known European structure within present Kenora. In 1861 the...

On Old Fort Island .8 km north of here, the Hudson's Bay Company erected a stockaded fur trading post about 1836. This was the first known European structure within present Kenora. In 1861 the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Reverend Richard Baxter, S.J., 1821-1904

Born in Carlisle, England, Baxter came to Canada as a child. He studied in Toronto and at the Sulpician College in Montreal before becoming, reputedly, the first English-speaking Jesuit novice in...

Born in Carlisle, England, Baxter came to Canada as a child. He studied in Toronto and at the Sulpician College in Montreal before becoming, reputedly, the first English-speaking Jesuit novice in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rush-Bagot Agreement

A naval arms limitation agreement negotiated to demilitarize the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain after the War of 1812, this convention was concluded between the United States and Great Britain,...

A naval arms limitation agreement negotiated to demilitarize the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain after the War of 1812, this convention was concluded between the United States and Great Britain,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reverend Thomas Greene at St. Luke's, Wellington Square

St. Luke's Church was built in 1834 on land originally patented by Chief Joseph Brant. Consecrated in 1838 by the Right Reverend C.J. Mountain, Anglican Bishop of Quebec, the church was a simple...

St. Luke's Church was built in 1834 on land originally patented by Chief Joseph Brant. Consecrated in 1838 by the Right Reverend C.J. Mountain, Anglican Bishop of Quebec, the church was a simple...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robert Samuel McLaughlin (1871-1972)

A famous industrialist and philanthropist, "Colonel Sam" McLaughlin was a founder of the automotive industry in Canada. Involved in the manufacture of carriages and sleighs for his family...

A famous industrialist and philanthropist, "Colonel Sam" McLaughlin was a founder of the automotive industry in Canada. Involved in the manufacture of carriages and sleighs for his family...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Richard Pierpoint c.1744-c.1838

One of the first Black settlers in this region, Pierpoint was born in Senegal. At the age of about 16 he was imprisoned and shipped to America where he became the slave of a British officer....

One of the first Black settlers in this region, Pierpoint was born in Senegal. At the age of about 16 he was imprisoned and shipped to America where he became the slave of a British officer....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

René-Amable Boucher 1735-1812

Boucher was born at Fort Frontenac (Kingston) where his father, an officer with the French colonial regular troops, was stationed. René-Amable also chose a military career and served in the Seven...

Boucher was born at Fort Frontenac (Kingston) where his father, an officer with the French colonial regular troops, was stationed. René- Amable also chose a military career and served in the Seven...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reid Mill

This flour mill was built on the Credit River southeast of the village of Streetsville in the mid-1830s by John Beaty and by 1861 had an annual capacity of 12,000 barrels of flour. The mill...

This flour mill was built on the Credit River southeast of the village of Streetsville in the mid-1830s by John Beaty and by 1861 had an annual capacity of 12,000 barrels of flour. The...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reverend Anthony Burns 1834-1862

Born a slave in Virginia, Burns escaped from servitude in 1854 and fled to Boston, where he was arrested under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Abolitionists came to his defence and serious riots...

Born a slave in Virginia, Burns escaped from servitude in 1854 and fled to Boston, where he was arrested under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Abolitionists came to his defence and serious riots...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown