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

'Deeds Speak' Sculptural Reliefs

The adjacent York County Coat of Arms and the female figure inside the entrance once adorned the York County Registry Office, formerly located on this site. Commissioned by the County in 1941, the...

The adjacent York County Coat of Arms and the female figure inside the entrance once adorned the York County Registry Office, formerly located on this site. Commissioned by the County in 1941,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Don River Bridge, 1803

Johann Albrecht Ulrich Moll, who adopted the name William Berczy, was born in Wallerstein, Germany, in 1744. Leading a group of settlers to York in 1794, Berczy, an artist, architect, writer and...

Johann Albrecht Ulrich Moll, who adopted the name William Berczy, was born in Wallerstein, Germany, in 1744. Leading a group of settlers to York in 1794, Berczy, an artist, architect, writer...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Dominion Coal and Wood

Originally located on Danforth Avenue, the Dominion Coal and Wood Company was founded in 1912 by William H. Smith. In 1929, the company opened a landmark facility on this site. Its nine adjoining...

Originally located on Danforth Avenue, the Dominion Coal and Wood Company was founded in 1912 by William H. Smith. In 1929, the company opened a landmark facility on this site. Its nine...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Don Bridge Battery

During the War of 1812, an artillery battery stood near this site. In 1813, following American attacks on the Town of York in April and July of that year, the battery was built as part of the...

During the War of 1812, an artillery battery stood near this site. In 1813, following American attacks on the Town of York in April and July of that year, the battery was built as part of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Davidson Black 1884-1934

Davidson Black was born and educated in Toronto. He had begun a career in medicine when Sir Grafton Elliot Smith interested him in the problem of fossil man. After World War I, Black accepted a...

Davidson Black was born and educated in Toronto. He had begun a career in medicine when Sir Grafton Elliot Smith interested him in the problem of fossil man. After World War I, Black accepted...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Daniel Brooke Building

This building was first constructed in 1833 for owner Daniel Brooke, a prominent merchant in the Town of York. It was substantially rebuilt between 1848-1849 prior to the Great Fire of April 1849...

This building was first constructed in 1833 for owner Daniel Brooke, a prominent merchant in the Town of York. It was substantially rebuilt between 1848-1849 prior to the Great Fire of April...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Camp of the Crooked Creek

HistoryScouts camped in this valley, with permission of the owners, in the 1920s and early 1930s. In 1936, approximately 40 ha were purchased by the Toronto District of The Boy Scouts Association...

HistoryScouts camped in this valley, with permission of the owners, in the 1920s and early 1930s. In 1936, approximately 40 ha were purchased by the Toronto District of The Boy Scouts Association...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Central Hospital

Central Hospital was founded in 1957 in a house at 331 Sherbourne Street which had been built in 1875 for Robert T. Gooderham. The property was purchased in 1921 by the Canadian National Institute...

Central Hospital was founded in 1957 in a house at 331 Sherbourne Street which had been built in 1875 for Robert T. Gooderham. The property was purchased in 1921 by the Canadian National Institute...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Colborne Lodge 1836

Built by John Howard (1803-90), it was named after Sir John Colborne, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. Howard, an architect and engineer, emigrated from England 1832 becoming Toronto's first...

Built by John Howard (1803-90), it was named after Sir John Colborne, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. Howard, an architect and engineer, emigrated from England 1832 becoming Toronto's first...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Church Avenue

Here, on land granted to Jacob Cummer, an early settler who came with his family from Pennsylvania in 1797, stood "Cummer's Chapel". In 1816 a Sunday school was established in his log house and...

Here, on land granted to Jacob Cummer, an early settler who came with his family from Pennsylvania in 1797, stood "Cummer's Chapel". In 1816 a Sunday school was established in his log house and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Corporal Frederick George Topham V.C. 1917-1974

Fred Topham was an early resident of East York, now part of the City of Toronto. On March 24, 1945, while serving as a medical orderly with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, he defied heavy...

Fred Topham was an early resident of East York, now part of the City of Toronto. On March 24, 1945, while serving as a medical orderly with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, he defied...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Centennial Anniversary 1898-1998

This house of worship was erected in 1898 by German immigrants to the Toronto area. This small congregation, founded in 1851, was determined to have their own church and to use German as the...

This house of worship was erected in 1898 by German immigrants to the Toronto area. This small congregation, founded in 1851, was determined to have their own church and to use German as...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canada's First Victoria Cross

Born in 1833 a short distance north of this site, Alexander Dunn was educated at Upper Canada College and at Harrow, England. In 1853 he was commissioned Lieutenant in the 11th Hussars. A...

Born in 1833 a short distance north of this site, Alexander Dunn was educated at Upper Canada College and at Harrow, England. In 1853 he was commissioned Lieutenant in the 11th Hussars....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Consumers' Gas Building

In 1852 the Consumers' Gas Company of Toronto established its new head office building on this site in the prestigious financial district of the city. Expansion to the north in 1876 added a second...

In 1852 the Consumers' Gas Company of Toronto established its new head office building on this site in the prestigious financial district of the city. Expansion to the north in 1876 added a second...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Church of St. John the Evangelist (The Garrison Church) 1858-1963

In 1858 the Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist opened on Stewart Street to serve both the local population and the garrison stationed at the old and new forts (Fort York and Stanley...

In 1858 the Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist opened on Stewart Street to serve both the local population and the garrison stationed at the old and new forts (Fort York and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Chorley Park

Chorley Park was originally the property of Toronto Alderman John Hallam, born in Chorley, Lancashire. In 1911 the garden provided the setting for Ontario's last Government House, which was...

Chorley Park was originally the property of Toronto Alderman John Hallam, born in Chorley, Lancashire. In 1911 the garden provided the setting for Ontario's last Government House, which was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Casa Loma

Casa Loma was thought to be pretentious, confused and not a "real" castle. It did not "fit in" with Toronto, and, in addition to the Norman and Scottish style of its towers, there were English,...

Casa Loma was thought to be pretentious, confused and not a "real" castle. It did not "fit in" with Toronto, and, in addition to the Norman and Scottish style of its towers, there were...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Community Spirit in Early Highland Creek, Winter 1867

The mural recreates a scene showing members of the Highland Creek community working together to build an addition to the Wesley Methodist Chapel in the early winter of 1867. The chapel once stood...

The mural recreates a scene showing members of the Highland Creek community working together to build an addition to the Wesley Methodist Chapel in the early winter of 1867. The chapel once...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Cinemas of St. Clair West

Nabes were a phenomenon that peaked in the late 1940s and lasted until the 1970s. They showed small-budget movies and were run by "mom and pop" and larger business ventures. The local nabe became...

Nabes were a phenomenon that peaked in the late 1940s and lasted until the 1970s. They showed small-budget movies and were run by "mom and pop" and larger business ventures. The local nabe became...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Cummer Family

The family of Elizabeth (née Fisher) and Jacob Cummer (Kummer) was important to the founding of Willowdale (North York). Among the area's early settlers of German descent, they arrived from...

The family of Elizabeth (née Fisher) and Jacob Cummer (Kummer) was important to the founding of Willowdale (North York). Among the area's early settlers of German descent, they arrived...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown