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

Camp Borden

Camp Borden was established during the First World War as a major training centre of Canadian Expeditionary Force battalions. The Camp (including this structure) was officially opened by Sir Sam...

Camp Borden was established during the First World War as a major training centre of Canadian Expeditionary Force battalions. The Camp (including this structure) was officially opened by Sir Sam...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Central Experimental Farm

Canada's experimental farms system was begun in 1886 by a federal government eager to introduce profitable new methods and products. It sought thereby to broaden Canada's agricultural frontiers,...

Canada's experimental farms system was begun in 1886 by a federal government eager to introduce profitable new methods and products. It sought thereby to broaden Canada's agricultural frontiers,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains

The parish of St. Peter-in-Chains was established in 1826 to serve the large Irish Catholic population of the surrounding Robinson Settlement. This building, erected in 1837-1838 of stone from...

The parish of St. Peter-in-Chains was established in 1826 to serve the large Irish Catholic population of the surrounding Robinson Settlement. This building, erected in 1837-1838 of stone...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canada's First Aerodrome

In May, 1915, Curtiss Aeroplanes and Motors, Ltd. established Canada's first aerodrome and flying school on this site. The school, and the Curtiss aircraft factory on Strachan Avenue in Toronto...

In May, 1915, Curtiss Aeroplanes and Motors, Ltd. established Canada's first aerodrome and flying school on this site. The school, and the Curtiss aircraft factory on Strachan Avenue in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Crawford Purchase

In October 1783, at Carleton Island near here, Captain William Redford Crawford of the King's Royal Regiment of New York met with the local Mississauga Indians led by the elderly Mynass. Crawford,...

In October 1783, at Carleton Island near here, Captain William Redford Crawford of the King's Royal Regiment of New York met with the local Mississauga Indians led by the elderly Mynass. Crawford,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Colonel Joel Stone 1749-1833

Born in Connecticut, Stone forfeited his home and property there when he fled to New York to serve with the Loyalist militia during the American Revolution. He came to Canada in 1786, settled with...

Born in Connecticut, Stone forfeited his home and property there when he fled to New York to serve with the Loyalist militia during the American Revolution. He came to Canada in 1786, settled with...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Christ Church 1838

This handsome stone church, in the style of the early Gothic Revival, was built by A. Thomas Christie on land donated by John Cavanagh, one of Huntley township's earliest landholders. Aided by a...

This handsome stone church, in the style of the early Gothic Revival, was built by A. Thomas Christie on land donated by John Cavanagh, one of Huntley township's earliest landholders. Aided by a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Chloe Cooley and the 1793 Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada

On March 14, 1793 Chloe Cooley, an enslaved Black woman in Queenston, was bound, thrown in a boat and sold across the river to a new owner in the United States. Her screams and violent resistance...

On March 14, 1793 Chloe Cooley, an enslaved Black woman in Queenston, was bound, thrown in a boat and sold across the river to a new owner in the United States. Her screams and violent...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Canadian Northern Railway

Incorporated in 1899 under the leading railway promoters Sir William Mackenzie and Sir Donald Mann, the Canadian Northern undertook construction of a line from Winnipeg to Port Arthur. Avoiding...

Incorporated in 1899 under the leading railway promoters Sir William Mackenzie and Sir Donald Mann, the Canadian Northern undertook construction of a line from Winnipeg to Port Arthur....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canal Lake Arch Bridge

Completed in 1905, this noteworthy structure on the Trent-Severn Waterway is the earliest-known reinforced concrete bridge in Canada. It was built using the Melan system of reinforcement with...

Completed in 1905, this noteworthy structure on the Trent-Severn Waterway is the earliest-known reinforced concrete bridge in Canada. It was built using the Melan system of reinforcement...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Cobalt Mining

Cobalt played a decisive role in the evolution of hard-rock mining in Canada. Between 1903 and the 1920's, the district's rich veins triggered a mining boom which attracted international attention...

Cobalt played a decisive role in the evolution of hard-rock mining in Canada. Between 1903 and the 1920's, the district's rich veins triggered a mining boom which attracted international attention...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canadian Northern Railway Station

Opened in 1914, on the new Toronto-Ottawa line, this station reflected the western-based Canadian Northern's ambition to compete directly with the established Canadian Pacific Railway in populous...

Opened in 1914, on the new Toronto-Ottawa line, this station reflected the western-based Canadian Northern's ambition to compete directly with the established Canadian Pacific Railway in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canada's Pioneer Airlines

In February, 1926, J.V. Elliot and Harold Farrington, each flying a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" made the first in a series of passenger flights from here to the isolated Red lake mining district. The...

In February, 1926, J.V. Elliot and Harold Farrington, each flying a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" made the first in a series of passenger flights from here to the isolated Red lake mining district. The...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Crawford Lake Indian Village Site

The first prehistoric village in the eastern woodland area of North America to be accurately dated, this archaeological site has revealed much about Iroquoian agriculture. A study of sediment...

The first prehistoric village in the eastern woodland area of North America to be accurately dated, this archaeological site has revealed much about Iroquoian agriculture. A study of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Canadian Role in the Defence of Hong Kong

In late 1941, 1,975 Canadians arrived in Hong Kong to reinforce the garrison. They fought with courage and determination against overwhelming odds after the Japanese attacked on December 8. Many...

In late 1941, 1,975 Canadians arrived in Hong Kong to reinforce the garrison. They fought with courage and determination against overwhelming odds after the Japanese attacked on December 8. Many...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Colonel Arthur Rankin 1816-1893

Born in Montreal, Rankin moved to this province about 1830 and qualified as a deputy provincial surveyor in 1836. The next year he was commissioned as an ensign in the Queen's Light Infantry and...

Born in Montreal, Rankin moved to this province about 1830 and qualified as a deputy provincial surveyor in 1836. The next year he was commissioned as an ensign in the Queen's Light Infantry and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

CFCL Radio

The first French-language radio station in Ontario, CFCL-Timmins, began broadcasting in December 1951. The event was greeted with enthusiasm by Franco-Ontarians who until then had heard limited...

The first French-language radio station in Ontario, CFCL-Timmins, began broadcasting in December 1951. The event was greeted with enthusiasm by Franco-Ontarians who until then had heard limited...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Church of the Immaculate Conception

This monumental Gothic church, erected on a commanding site overlooking Formosa, was built to serve a thriving German Roman Catholic parish. Begun in 1875, it was constructed around and over an...

This monumental Gothic church, erected on a commanding site overlooking Formosa, was built to serve a thriving German Roman Catholic parish. Begun in 1875, it was constructed around and over an...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Charles Rankin 1797-1886

This pioneer surveyor was the pathfinder who opened much of this region to settlement. Born in Enniskillen, Ireland, Rankin came to Upper Canada with his family at an early age. He was appointed a...

This pioneer surveyor was the pathfinder who opened much of this region to settlement. Born in Enniskillen, Ireland, Rankin came to Upper Canada with his family at an early age. He was appointed a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Château Laurier

Designed by the architectural firm of Ross and MacFarlane this hotel was built between 1908 and 1912 and enlarged in the 1920s. It was the first in a chain of Château style hotels constructed by...

Designed by the architectural firm of Ross and MacFarlane this hotel was built between 1908 and 1912 and enlarged in the 1920s. It was the first in a chain of Château style hotels constructed...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown