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:

The Scouting Movement in Canada

Brought to Canada in 1908, the Scout Movement, originally known as the Boy Scouts, became one of the largest and most influential youth organizations in the country, its membership reaching more...

Brought to Canada in 1908, the Scout Movement, originally known as the Boy Scouts, became one of the largest and most influential youth organizations in the country, its membership reaching more...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Steamboating on Lake Simcoe

The "Sir John Colborne", launched in 1832, was the first of many steamboats on Lake Simcoe. A link in the land-water transportation route connecting the Upper and Lower Great Lakes, steamboats...

The "Sir John Colborne", launched in 1832, was the first of many steamboats on Lake Simcoe. A link in the land-water transportation route connecting the Upper and Lower Great Lakes, steamboats...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. John's Church

Following the cession of Detroit to the United States in 1794, and the withdrawal of the British garrison two years later, many residents moved to the Canadian side of the river where they founded...

Following the cession of Detroit to the United States in 1794, and the withdrawal of the British garrison two years later, many residents moved to the Canadian side of the river where they...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Johns

A sawmill built in 1792 on nearby Twelve Mile Creek by Benjamin Canby, an early entrepreneur, formed the nucleus of a settlement, which by 1799 was called St. Johns. Other enterprising...

A sawmill built in 1792 on nearby Twelve Mile Creek by Benjamin Canby, an early entrepreneur, formed the nucleus of a settlement, which by 1799 was called St. Johns. Other...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Right Honourable Arthur Meighen 1874-1960

Born on a farm near here, Meighen graduated from the University of Toronto in 1896, and in 1902 moved to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, to practice law. In 1908 he was elected to the federal...

Born on a farm near here, Meighen graduated from the University of Toronto in 1896, and in 1902 moved to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, to practice law. In 1908 he was elected to the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Ridout Street Complex

This streetscape includes several of London's earliest buildings and provides a capsule view of the appearance of mid-19th century Ontario cities. These buildings, the earliest of which was begun...

This streetscape includes several of London's earliest buildings and provides a capsule view of the appearance of mid-19th century Ontario cities. These buildings, the earliest of which was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ridley College

One of Ontario's most prominent independent boarding schools, this college, named for a 16th-century Christian martyr, was opened in 1889. It was established by Anglican churchmen to provide boys...

One of Ontario's most prominent independent boarding schools, this college, named for a 16th- century Christian martyr, was opened in 1889. It was established by Anglican churchmen to provide boys...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Right Honourable Sir Lyman Poore Duff 1865-1955

One of the Commonwealth's most eminent jurists, L.P. Duff was born in Meaford and educated at the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall. Called to the bar of Ontario in 1893, he practised law in...

One of the Commonwealth's most eminent jurists, L.P. Duff was born in Meaford and educated at the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall. Called to the bar of Ontario in 1893, he practised law...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Reverend John Strachan in Cornwall

This pioneer clergyman, legislator and teacher was born in 1778 in Aberdeen, Scotland, and in 1799 came to Kingston as a tutor. In 1803, after entering the Church of England, he was ordained and...

This pioneer clergyman, legislator and teacher was born in 1778 in Aberdeen, Scotland, and in 1799 came to Kingston as a tutor. In 1803, after entering the Church of England, he was ordained and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reverend George Leslie Mackay 1844-1901

Son of Scots immigrants, Presbyterian missionary George Mackay was born near Embro, Zorra Township. In 1872 he founded the first Canadian overseas mission in Tamsui, Taiwan. An unconventional...

Son of Scots immigrants, Presbyterian missionary George Mackay was born near Embro, Zorra Township. In 1872 he founded the first Canadian overseas mission in Tamsui, Taiwan. An...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rectory of Beckwith

Beckwith Township, surveyed in 1817, had among its first settlers discharged military personnel and emigrants from the United Kingdom. The Reverend Michael Harris of Perth administered to the...

Beckwith Township, surveyed in 1817, had among its first settlers discharged military personnel and emigrants from the United Kingdom. The Reverend Michael Harris of Perth administered to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rockwood Academy 1850

A pioneer boarding school for boys was opened on this property in 1850 by William Wetherald (1820-98), an English Quaker who had emigrated to Upper Canada in 1835. The original log building was...

A pioneer boarding school for boys was opened on this property in 1850 by William Wetherald (1820-98), an English Quaker who had emigrated to Upper Canada in 1835. The original log building was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Roebuck Indian Village Site

Approximately 500 years ago an Iroquoian agricultural community of about 1600 persons occupied this site. Archaeological excavations suggest that approximately 40 communal longhouses, averaging...

Approximately 500 years ago an Iroquoian agricultural community of about 1600 persons occupied this site. Archaeological excavations suggest that approximately 40 communal longhouses, averaging...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rideau Canal

Built between 1826 and 1832, the Rideau Canal is the best-preserved, fully operational example from North America's great canal-building era. Lieutenant-Colonel John By's innovative design was...

Built between 1826 and 1832, the Rideau Canal is the best-preserved, fully operational example from North America's great canal-building era. Lieutenant-Colonel John By's innovative design...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal Canadian Henley Regatta

The nearby waterway, a part of the first Welland Canal constructed in 1824-29, is the course used for the annual Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. Competitive rowing became popular in Canada during...

The nearby waterway, a part of the first Welland Canal constructed in 1824-29, is the course used for the annual Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. Competitive rowing became popular in Canada...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rapids of the Upper Ottawa

For over two centuries the Ottawa River was part of the main canoe route to the West. Some of the river's most spectacular and dangerous rapids were located immediately downriver from here: the...

For over two centuries the Ottawa River was part of the main canoe route to the West. Some of the river's most spectacular and dangerous rapids were located immediately downriver from here:...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Robinson Superior Treaty

On September 7, 1850, a treaty was concluded at Sault Ste. Marie between the Hon. W.B. Robinson, representing the government, and nine Ojibwa chiefs and head men. Under its terms the Ojibwa...

On September 7, 1850, a treaty was concluded at Sault Ste. Marie between the Hon. W.B. Robinson, representing the government, and nine Ojibwa chiefs and head men. Under its terms the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robert Alexander Laidlaw 1886-1976

A prominent Ontario businessman and philanthropist, Laidlaw, who is buried here, was born in Barrie and raised and educated in Toronto. He joined his father's firm, the R. Laidlaw Lumber Company...

A prominent Ontario businessman and philanthropist, Laidlaw, who is buried here, was born in Barrie and raised and educated in Toronto. He joined his father's firm, the R. Laidlaw Lumber Company...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rosseau- Nipissing Road

Designed to encourage settlement in what is now the Parry Sound District, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was authorized by the government in 1864. A survey was completed the following year by J.S....

Designed to encourage settlement in what is now the Parry Sound District, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was authorized by the government in 1864. A survey was completed the following year by...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

R. Nathaniel Dett Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church

An important community icon, this chapel bears witness to the early black settlement of the Niagara region and marks the role of the church in assisting newly arrived Underground Railroad...

An important community icon, this chapel bears witness to the early black settlement of the Niagara region and marks the role of the church in assisting newly arrived Underground...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown