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The most recent plaques:

Ontario Agricultural College

This portico was the entrance of the Frederick W. Stone farm house, the building in which the first classes of the Ontario School of Agriculture were held on May 1, 1874. Renamed the Ontario...

This portico was the entrance of the Frederick W. Stone farm house, the building in which the first classes of the Ontario School of Agriculture were held on May 1, 1874. Renamed the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

"The Old Stage Road"

This road, which follows in part the Indian trail, known as the "Detroit Path", across East Oxford Township, was opened by settlers at the expense of Major Thomas Ingersoll in 1796-97. It joined a...

This road, which follows in part the Indian trail, known as the "Detroit Path", across East Oxford Township, was opened by settlers at the expense of Major Thomas Ingersoll in 1796-97. It joined...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ogle Robert Gowan 1803-1876

A prominent provincial politician, Gowan was born in County Wexford, Ireland. He came to Upper Canada in 1829 and immediately immersed himself in political affairs. Drawing upon his experience...

A prominent provincial politician, Gowan was born in County Wexford, Ireland. He came to Upper Canada in 1829 and immediately immersed himself in political affairs. Drawing upon his...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Old St. Andrew's Church

This church, built from local stone, was begun in 1830 on land acquired by the Presbyterian congregation from Joseph A. Keeler, a prominent local merchant. It was designed by Archibald Fraser, a...

This church, built from local stone, was begun in 1830 on land acquired by the Presbyterian congregation from Joseph A. Keeler, a prominent local merchant. It was designed by Archibald Fraser, a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Ontario Vaccine Farm

Established in 1885 by Dr. Alexander Stewart, a local physician, the Ontario Vaccine Farm was the first institution to produce smallpox vaccine in Ontario. The Farm originally consisted of a...

Established in 1885 by Dr. Alexander Stewart, a local physician, the Ontario Vaccine Farm was the first institution to produce smallpox vaccine in Ontario. The Farm originally consisted of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Oxford-on-Rideau Township Hall

This modestly scaled but stately town hall reminds us of the early days of local government in Canada. During the 19th century, the majority of Canadians lived in rural areas, and municipal...

This modestly scaled but stately town hall reminds us of the early days of local government in Canada. During the 19th century, the majority of Canadians lived in rural areas, and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Ontario Paper Company Ltd.

In 1912, the Ontario Paper Company was incorporated as a subsidiary of the Chicago Tribune newspaper under the direction of publisher Robert McCormick. A paper mill was constructed south of here...

In 1912, the Ontario Paper Company was incorporated as a subsidiary of the Chicago Tribune newspaper under the direction of publisher Robert McCormick. A paper mill was constructed south of here...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Ontario Yellowbirds

In 1924, the government of Ontario set up a provincial air service to replace forest fire detection by canoe and foot patrols. Based at Sault Ste. Marie, the service's aircraft became know as the...

In 1924, the government of Ontario set up a provincial air service to replace forest fire detection by canoe and foot patrols. Based at Sault Ste. Marie, the service's aircraft became know as the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ontario's Oil Refining Industry

Stimulated by the discovery of significant oil deposits in Enniskillen Township, Ontario's first commercial refineries were erected in 1857-62 at Sarnia, Oil Springs, "Petrolea" and Hamilton. The...

Stimulated by the discovery of significant oil deposits in Enniskillen Township, Ontario's first commercial refineries were erected in 1857-62 at Sarnia, Oil Springs, "Petrolea" and Hamilton....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Nine-Hour Movement

In the mid-nineteenth century industrial workers laboured ten to twelve hours a day, six days a week. Inspired by British and American examples, Hamilton unionists launched a crusade for a shorter...

In the mid-nineteenth century industrial workers laboured ten to twelve hours a day, six days a week. Inspired by British and American examples, Hamilton unionists launched a crusade for a shorter...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Nine Mile Portage

Site of eastern terminus of an Indian portage from Kempenfeldt Bay to Willow Creek and thence by the Nottawasaga River to Georgian Bay. In the winter of 1813-14, a force under Lieut-Colonel Robert...

Site of eastern terminus of an Indian portage from Kempenfeldt Bay to Willow Creek and thence by the Nottawasaga River to Georgian Bay. In the winter of 1813-14, a force under Lieut-Colonel...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Niagara Portage Road

Following the cession of the east bank of the Niagara River to the United States in 1783, the British authorities felt compelled to transfer the portage road around Niagara Falls to the west bank...

Following the cession of the east bank of the Niagara River to the United States in 1783, the British authorities felt compelled to transfer the portage road around Niagara Falls to the west...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Niagara Parks Commission

In 1885, the Province of Ontario established The Niagara Parks Commission as part of an international effort to preserve the natural scenery around Niagara Falls. Originally, the commission...

In 1885, the Province of Ontario established The Niagara Parks Commission as part of an international effort to preserve the natural scenery around Niagara Falls. Originally, the commission...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The North West Company

Some fifteen years after the British conquest of New France, the Montreal-based fur trade was revived, primarily by Scots. Competition among the individuals and small partnerships led to larger...

Some fifteen years after the British conquest of New France, the Montreal-based fur trade was revived, primarily by Scots. Competition among the individuals and small partnerships led to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Negro Burial Ground 1830

Here stood a Baptist church erected in 1830 through the exertions of a former British soldier. John Oakley, who although white, became pastor of a predominantly negro congregation. In 1793 Upper...

Here stood a Baptist church erected in 1830 through the exertions of a former British soldier. John Oakley, who although white, became pastor of a predominantly negro congregation. In 1793...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Nile Voyageurs 1884-85

In 1884 the British Government decided to send a military expedition up the Nile River to relieve Major-General Charles Gordon, who was besieged in Khartoum by Mahdist tribesmen. Appointed to...

In 1884 the British Government decided to send a military expedition up the Nile River to relieve Major-General Charles Gordon, who was besieged in Khartoum by Mahdist tribesmen. Appointed...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

National Arts Centre

Designed by Fred Lebensold, the National Arts Centre (NAC) opened in 1969, offering state-of-the-art performing spaces and technology in its main venues, especially Southam Hall. Its acoustics and...

Designed by Fred Lebensold, the National Arts Centre (NAC) opened in 1969, offering state-of- the-art performing spaces and technology in its main venues, especially Southam Hall. Its acoustics...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Newmarket Radial Railway Arch

One of the earliest reinforced concrete arches in Canada the Newmarket radial railway arch was built in 1909 by the Toronto and York Radial Railway Company. It was designed by Barber and Young, an...

One of the earliest reinforced concrete arches in Canada the Newmarket radial railway arch was built in 1909 by the Toronto and York Radial Railway Company. It was designed by Barber and Young,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Niven's Meridian

The surveying of the line which intersects Highway No. 11 here (survey mile-post 162) was the first step taken by the Ontario government in the exploration and development of this region. During...

The surveying of the line which intersects Highway No. 11 here (survey mile-post 162) was the first step taken by the Ontario government in the exploration and development of this region....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown
  • meridian

The Napanee Mills

In 1785 the Canadian government commissioned Robert Clark, a Loyalist millwright from New York, to build mills on this site. A sawmill was completed in March, 1786, and a grist-mill toward the end...

In 1785 the Canadian government commissioned Robert Clark, a Loyalist millwright from New York, to build mills on this site. A sawmill was completed in March, 1786, and a grist-mill toward the end...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown