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

The Robert Simpson Company

Robert Simpson (1834-1897) emigrated to Canada from Inverness, Scotland. In 1856, he opened a dry-goods store on Yonge Street north of Queen in 1872, but in 1881 re-located and began to extend his...

Robert Simpson (1834-1897) emigrated to Canada from Inverness, Scotland. In 1856, he opened a dry-goods store on Yonge Street north of Queen in 1872, but in 1881 re-located and began to extend his...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Runnymede Theatre 1927

Originally a Famous Players theatre for both vaudeville performances and movies, the Runnymede Theatre was designed in the classical style by the architectural firm Chapman and Oxley. The tall...

Originally a Famous Players theatre for both vaudeville performances and movies, the Runnymede Theatre was designed in the classical style by the architectural firm Chapman and Oxley. The...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rhoda Skinner Scarborough Pioneer

This plaque is dedicated to the women who pioneered the wilderness of Ontario in the early 19th century and, in particular, to Rhoda Skinner (1775 1834).In addition to laborious household chores,...

This plaque is dedicated to the women who pioneered the wilderness of Ontario in the early 19th century and, in particular, to Rhoda Skinner (1775 1834).In addition to laborious household chores,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rupert Hotel Fire

On December 23rd 1989 a fire roared through the Rupert House Hotel, a licensed rooming house on this site. Despite the heroic efforts of firefighters and several tenants, ten people died in the...

On December 23rd 1989 a fire roared through the Rupert House Hotel, a licensed rooming house on this site. Despite the heroic efforts of firefighters and several tenants, ten people died in the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robert Franklin Hicks 1866-1942

This park was created in 1980 to commemorate Robert Franklin "R.F." Hicks, a key figure in the organization and development of the Township of North York. As a dairy farmer, Hicks established one...

This park was created in 1980 to commemorate Robert Franklin "R.F." Hicks, a key figure in the organization and development of the Township of North York. As a dairy farmer, Hicks established one...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Roden Public School Junior

The original Roden School consisted of four rooms and was formally opened in April 1908. Five additions were made to the building between 1910 and 1922. At the time of replacement, the old school...

The original Roden School consisted of four rooms and was formally opened in April 1908. Five additions were made to the building between 1910 and 1922. At the time of replacement, the old school...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal York Hotel

Built on the site of the Queen's Hotel by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1928-29, the Royal York Hotel was part of its coast-to-coast chain of grand hotels. The skyscraper hotel, designed by...

Built on the site of the Queen's Hotel by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1928-29, the Royal York Hotel was part of its coast-to-coast chain of grand hotels. The skyscraper hotel, designed...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Richview Cemetery

Richview Cemetery's oldest surviving monument records the death of Ann Garbutt who was interred in 1846, before the official establishment of this burial site. In 1853, William Knaggs sold this...

Richview Cemetery's oldest surviving monument records the death of Ann Garbutt who was interred in 1846, before the official establishment of this burial site. In 1853, William Knaggs sold...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Riverdale Railway Station

In 1896, the Grand Trunk Railway opened its Queen East station to serve Toronto's growing east end. Renamed Riverdale Station in 1907, the building stood here on De Grassi Street at Queen Street...

In 1896, the Grand Trunk Railway opened its Queen East station to serve Toronto's growing east end. Renamed Riverdale Station in 1907, the building stood here on De Grassi Street at Queen...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rousseaux Family and Early Toronto

As the nearby Provincial plaque indicates, a French trader named Jean-Baptiste Rousseaux (known as St. John to the British) provided a valuable link among the great powers that shaped what is now...

As the nearby Provincial plaque indicates, a French trader named Jean-Baptiste Rousseaux (known as St. John to the British) provided a valuable link among the great powers that shaped what is now...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Richard Eade House circa 1882-1885

Richard Eade, a descendant of early Scarborough settlers, operated a general store in nearby West Hill. He purchased this house in 1891. The farmhouse was designed with elements of the Gothic...

Richard Eade, a descendant of early Scarborough settlers, operated a general store in nearby West Hill. He purchased this house in 1891. The farmhouse was designed with elements of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Regal Road Public School 1914

Designed by architect Franklin E. Belfrey in Beaux-Arts style, this school was constructed for the Dovercourt community shortly after the area was annexed to the City of Toronto. The school stands...

Designed by architect Franklin E. Belfrey in Beaux-Arts style, this school was constructed for the Dovercourt community shortly after the area was annexed to the City of Toronto. The school stands...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Royal Alexandra Theatre

Constructed in 1906-1907, this theatre is an intimate but lavish version of the traditional 19th century theatre, with two balconies as well as side boxes. John M. Lyle (1872-1945), one of...

Constructed in 1906-1907, this theatre is an intimate but lavish version of the traditional 19th century theatre, with two balconies as well as side boxes. John M. Lyle (1872-1945), one...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Reverend Henry Scadding 1813-1901

Scadding was born in Devonshire, England, and came to Upper Canada in 1821. Educated at Upper Canada College and Cambridge University, he was ordained to the Anglican priesthood at St. James...

Scadding was born in Devonshire, England, and came to Upper Canada in 1821. Educated at Upper Canada College and Cambridge University, he was ordained to the Anglican priesthood at St. James...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Railways Over the Humber

Ancient trails have long merged where the mouth of the Humber River meets the shore of Lake Ontario. In the 1850s, footpaths and wagon roads were joined by railway tracks. Toronto's first railway,...

Ancient trails have long merged where the mouth of the Humber River meets the shore of Lake Ontario. In the 1850s, footpaths and wagon roads were joined by railway tracks. Toronto's first...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Riverdale Collegiate Institute

In co-operation with the Riverdale Business Men's Association, the Toronto Board of Education persisted in building a school on Gerrard Street, named Riverdale Collegiate Institute. The original...

In co-operation with the Riverdale Business Men's Association, the Toronto Board of Education persisted in building a school on Gerrard Street, named Riverdale Collegiate Institute. The...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal Canadian Yacht Club

The province's first sailing association, the Toronto Boat Club, was formed in 1852 and two years later became the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. Dedicated to the promotion of yachting and naval...

The province's first sailing association, the Toronto Boat Club, was formed in 1852 and two years later became the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. Dedicated to the promotion of yachting and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal Tour of 1939

The Royal Tour of 1939 was the first visit to Canada by a reigning British monarch. Between May 15 and June 15, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth travelled by train across the country. They...

The Royal Tour of 1939 was the first visit to Canada by a reigning British monarch. Between May 15 and June 15, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth travelled by train across the country....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Return of the Magri Stecchi

Where you are standing was once the commercial centre of the Town of York, Toronto's forerunner. It is part of a 2.2 ha site which was officially dedicated as a market in 1803. The area, now...

Where you are standing was once the commercial centre of the Town of York, Toronto's forerunner. It is part of a 2.2 ha site which was officially dedicated as a market in 1803. The area,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robertson Davies-1913-1995

Robertson Davies was born on August 28, 1913, in the small village of Thamesville, Ontario. He was educated at Upper Canada College, Queen's University, and earned a degree in literature from...

Robertson Davies was born on August 28, 1913, in the small village of Thamesville, Ontario. He was educated at Upper Canada College, Queen's University, and earned a degree in literature...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown