A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
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The most recent plaques:

Sergeant John Pearson, V.C. 1825-1892

Born in Yorkshire, England, Pearson joined the 8th (The King's Royal Irish) Regiment of Light Dragoons in 1844, and served with this unit in India during the Mutiny. On June 17, 1858, near the...

Born in Yorkshire, England, Pearson joined the 8th (The King's Royal Irish) Regiment of Light Dragoons in 1844, and served with this unit in India during the Mutiny. On June 17, 1858, near the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Steep Rock Iron Range

As early as 1897 the presence of hematite boulders on the shores of Steep Rock Lake led geologists to suggest that beneath its waters lay a substantial iron ore body. It was not, however, until...

As early as 1897 the presence of hematite boulders on the shores of Steep Rock Lake led geologists to suggest that beneath its waters lay a substantial iron ore body. It was not, however, until...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Richard Cartwright 1835-1912

Grandson of a prominent Loyalist merchant, Richard John Cartwright was born in Kingston, Upper Canada, and became a successful businessman. A Conservative in the Legislative Assembly of Canada...

Grandson of a prominent Loyalist merchant, Richard John Cartwright was born in Kingston, Upper Canada, and became a successful businessman. A Conservative in the Legislative Assembly of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Steamboating in Muskoka 1866-1959

Steam navigation on the Muskoka Lakes began in 1866, when the paddle vessel "Wenonah" went into service. Built at Gravenhurst, she was owned by A.P. Cockburn (1837-1905), who served as the federal...

Steam navigation on the Muskoka Lakes began in 1866, when the paddle vessel "Wenonah" went into service. Built at Gravenhurst, she was owned by A.P. Cockburn (1837-1905), who served as the federal...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Thomas' Church 1838

This church is one of the few surviving structures in Ontario built of "rammed earth". This method of construction utilized wet clay mixed with chopped straw, compacted into forms and covered,...

This church is one of the few surviving structures in Ontario built of "rammed earth". This method of construction utilized wet clay mixed with chopped straw, compacted into forms and covered,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Superior's First Shipyard

The first decked vessel to sail Lake Superior was constructed near this site on Pointe aux Pins in 1734-35. It was used by Louis Denis, Sieur de la Ronde, during an unsuccessful attempt to...

The first decked vessel to sail Lake Superior was constructed near this site on Pointe aux Pins in 1734-35. It was used by Louis Denis, Sieur de la Ronde, during an unsuccessful attempt to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir William Osler 1849-1919

This famous physician and author, son of the Reverend Featherstone Osler, was born July 12, 1849, in the Anglican rectory near Bond Head. Here he lived until 1857. He taught medicine at some of...

This famous physician and author, son of the Reverend Featherstone Osler, was born July 12, 1849, in the Anglican rectory near Bond Head. Here he lived until 1857. He taught medicine at some...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Syl Apps (1915-1998)

Born in Paris, Ontario in 1915, Charles Joseph Sylvanus "Syl" Apps was a professional hockey player, businessman and politician. Throughout his life, Apps displayed remarkable breadth in his...

Born in Paris, Ontario in 1915, Charles Joseph Sylvanus "Syl" Apps was a professional hockey player, businessman and politician. Throughout his life, Apps displayed remarkable breadth in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Mark's Church 1843

This church, a fine example of the early style of Gothic Revival architecture, was built with the aid of funds subscribed by the British Admiralty and by settlers at Barriefield, many of whom had...

This church, a fine example of the early style of Gothic Revival architecture, was built with the aid of funds subscribed by the British Admiralty and by settlers at Barriefield, many of whom...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Mary's Pro- Cathedral

One of the few Roman Catholic churches in Ontario retaining its pre-Confederation character, St. Mary's was erected in 1859-60 during the episcopate of Bishop John Farrell to replace a building...

One of the few Roman Catholic churches in Ontario retaining its pre-Confederation character, St. Mary's was erected in 1859-60 during the episcopate of Bishop John Farrell to replace a building...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Edward Robert Peacock G.C.V.O. 1871-1962

An internationally renowned financier, Peacock was born near here in the former Congregational Church manse and educated at Queen's University in Kingston. He taught at Upper Canada College for...

An internationally renowned financier, Peacock was born near here in the former Congregational Church manse and educated at Queen's University in Kingston. He taught at Upper Canada College...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Sandford Fleming 1827-1915

Inventor of Standard Time and pioneer in world communications, Fleming was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and trained in engineering and surveying before emigrating to Canada and settling in...

Inventor of Standard Time and pioneer in world communications, Fleming was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and trained in engineering and surveying before emigrating to Canada and settling...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Southwold Earthworks

This prehistoric site was once a fortified village occupied by the Neutral Indians between about 1500 and 1650 A.D. An earth and palisade wall, later strengthened by a second wall, protected a...

This prehistoric site was once a fortified village occupied by the Neutral Indians between about 1500 and 1650 A.D. An earth and palisade wall, later strengthened by a second wall, protected a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Rodmond P. Roblin 1853-1937

Born and brought up on this property, purchased by his grandfather Levi Roblin in 1821, Rodman Roblin moved to Fort Garry (Winnipeg) in 1877. Elected as an Independent member to the Manitoba...

Born and brought up on this property, purchased by his grandfather Levi Roblin in 1821, Rodman Roblin moved to Fort Garry (Winnipeg) in 1877. Elected as an Independent member to the Manitoba...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir John Johnson House

One of the oldest buildings standing in Ontario, the original five-bay structure at the centre of this house was built between 1784 and 1792. It was once part of a mill site developed by Sir John...

One of the oldest buildings standing in Ontario, the original five-bay structure at the centre of this house was built between 1784 and 1792. It was once part of a mill site developed by Sir...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sergeant Aubrey Cosens, V.C. 1921-1945

Born in Latchford and raised near Porquis Junction, Cosens enlisted in the Argyll and Sutherland Regiment, Canadian Active Service Force, in 1940 and transferred to the Queen's Own Rifles of...

Born in Latchford and raised near Porquis Junction, Cosens enlisted in the Argyll and Sutherland Regiment, Canadian Active Service Force, in 1940 and transferred to the Queen's Own Rifles of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Steamboating on the Upper Ottawa

The first steamboat on the Upper Ottawa River was the 25 horse-power "Lady Colborne" built in 1833 for service between Aylmer and Chats Falls. Gradually other sections of the river where opened to...

The first steamboat on the Upper Ottawa River was the 25 horse-power "Lady Colborne" built in 1833 for service between Aylmer and Chats Falls. Gradually other sections of the river where opened to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Stratford Normal School 1908

In the 1900s, concerns about the quality of rural education prompted the Ontario government to build four new Normal Schools to increase the supply of qualified teachers in the province. Identical...

In the 1900s, concerns about the quality of rural education prompted the Ontario government to build four new Normal Schools to increase the supply of qualified teachers in the province....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Surrender of Indian Lands

By treaties made in 1798, 1815 and 1818, the Indian tribes surrendered the ancient country of the Hurons lying north and west of Lake Simcoe. From this area grants were made, in fulfillment of...

By treaties made in 1798, 1815 and 1818, the Indian tribes surrendered the ancient country of the Hurons lying north and west of Lake Simcoe. From this area grants were made, in fulfillment...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Edmund Walker Head 1805-1868

In 1848, Sir Edmund Walker Head was the first civilian appointed lieutenant governor of New Brunswick and presided over the introduction of responsible government to the colony. He ably...

In 1848, Sir Edmund Walker Head was the first civilian appointed lieutenant governor of New Brunswick and presided over the introduction of responsible government to the colony. He...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown