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

Glengarry Emigration of 1786

Early in September, 1786, a group of some 500 Scottish Highlanders, the majority of whom were Macdonells, arrived at Quebec. They were led by their parish priest from Knoydart, Glengarry, the...

Early in September, 1786, a group of some 500 Scottish Highlanders, the majority of whom were Macdonells, arrived at Quebec. They were led by their parish priest from Knoydart, Glengarry,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Gull River and the Clergy House

This site was an early Indian camping ground, the Gull River watershed being the hunting territory of bands living around Lake Simcoe who came by way of the Balsam Lake portage and Gull River...

This site was an early Indian camping ground, the Gull River watershed being the hunting territory of bands living around Lake Simcoe who came by way of the Balsam Lake portage and Gull River...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Geraldton Gold Camp

Discoveries of gold in the vicinity of Lake Kenogamisis in 1931-2 mushroomed into an extensive gold-mining field in this region. Prospector Tom Johnson, mining promoter Joseph Errington and...

Discoveries of gold in the vicinity of Lake Kenogamisis in 1931-2 mushroomed into an extensive gold-mining field in this region. Prospector Tom Johnson, mining promoter Joseph Errington...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The "Grover- Nicholls" House

An outstanding example of Greek Revival architecture modified in the Palladian manner, it was begun about 1847 by P.M. Grover, a well-to-do local merchant. A type of building rare in Ontario, it...

An outstanding example of Greek Revival architecture modified in the Palladian manner, it was begun about 1847 by P.M. Grover, a well-to-do local merchant. A type of building rare in Ontario, it...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Grand River Naval Depot 1815

In 1815 the Royal Navy began building a depot on the present site of Port Maitland. Though intended in the event of war to accommodate three frigates and 1,000 men, the base actually supported...

In 1815 the Royal Navy began building a depot on the present site of Port Maitland. Though intended in the event of war to accommodate three frigates and 1,000 men, the base actually supported...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Guelph City Hall 1856

This fine example of classical architecture was begun in 1856 following the incorporation of Guelph as a town. It was designed by William Thomas, architect of St. Lawrence Hall, Toronto, and other...

This fine example of classical architecture was begun in 1856 following the incorporation of Guelph as a town. It was designed by William Thomas, architect of St. Lawrence Hall, Toronto, and other...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Great Dog Portage

This portage was one of the steepest on the Kaministiquia canoe route between Lake Superior and the West. First recorded in 1688 by the French explorer Jacques de Noyon, it was abandoned after...

This portage was one of the steepest on the Kaministiquia canoe route between Lake Superior and the West. First recorded in 1688 by the French explorer Jacques de Noyon, it was abandoned...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Gateway to Huronia

From this lookout may be seen the bay which, during the first half of the 17th century, formed the western terminus of the 1280 km route connecting New France with the Huron settlements. Heavily...

From this lookout may be seen the bay which, during the first half of the 17th century, formed the western terminus of the 1280 km route connecting New France with the Huron settlements. Heavily...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Grand River Mission

The establishment of this mission in 1822 began Methodist missionary work among the province's Indians, and the following year the Reverend Alvin Torry organized the first congregation at an...

The establishment of this mission in 1822 began Methodist missionary work among the province's Indians, and the following year the Reverend Alvin Torry organized the first congregation at...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Gananoque

A vulnerable point on the vital line of supply from Lower Canada in the war of 1812-14, Gananoque was raided on the 21 September, 1812, when the bridge was destroyed. Subsequently fortified by the...

A vulnerable point on the vital line of supply from Lower Canada in the war of 1812-14, Gananoque was raided on the 21 September, 1812, when the bridge was destroyed. Subsequently fortified by the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Galt City Hall

This attractive public building was designed and built in 1857-8 by H.B. Sinclair, a local resident, as a "Town Hall and Market House". Galt had become an incorporated town on January 1, 1857, and...

This attractive public building was designed and built in 1857-8 by H.B. Sinclair, a local resident, as a "Town Hall and Market House". Galt had become an incorporated town on January 1, 1857, and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Guelph Public Library

One of the first municipally supported libraries formed in Ontario following passage of the Free Libraries Act of 1882, the Guelph Public Library was established on February 10, 1883. It replaced...

One of the first municipally supported libraries formed in Ontario following passage of the Free Libraries Act of 1882, the Guelph Public Library was established on February 10, 1883. It...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Grey Owl 1888-1938

Born and educated in Hastings, Archibald Stansfeld Belaney early became fascinated with the North American Indians and their way of life. Emigrating to Canada in 1906, he spent most of the...

Born and educated in Hastings, Archibald Stansfeld Belaney early became fascinated with the North American Indians and their way of life. Emigrating to Canada in 1906, he spent most of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Gananoque Town Hall

Built about 1831-32, and designed in the late phase of the Neo-Classic style, this structure is among the best of its type remaining in Ontario. Constructed as a dwelling for John McDonald, a...

Built about 1831-32, and designed in the late phase of the Neo-Classic style, this structure is among the best of its type remaining in Ontario. Constructed as a dwelling for John McDonald,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Grand Trunk Railway Prescott

The Grand Trunk was incorporated in 1853 to run from Sarnia to Portland, Maine. Although it took over existing lines, new ones had to be built, including sections of the key Toronto to Montréal...

The Grand Trunk was incorporated in 1853 to run from Sarnia to Portland, Maine. Although it took over existing lines, new ones had to be built, including sections of the key Toronto to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

George Mackinnon Wrong 1860-1948

Born in Gravesend, Upper Canada, Wrong graduated from Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto where, in 1895, he became the first Professor of Modern History. A believer in the historian's...

Born in Gravesend, Upper Canada, Wrong graduated from Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto where, in 1895, he became the first Professor of Modern History. A believer in the historian's...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Guelph City Hall

Many Canadian cities erected well-designed municipal buildings during the mid-19th century railway boom. Guelph City Hall, one of the best of this group, symbolized the city's confidence in its...

Many Canadian cities erected well-designed municipal buildings during the mid-19th century railway boom. Guelph City Hall, one of the best of this group, symbolized the city's confidence in its...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Great Storm of 1913

In a storm that struck Lake Huron on November 9, 1913, ten lake freighters were lost. Seven of them vanished, ranging from the 30-year-old, 82 m "Wexford" to the 168 m "James Carruthers", launched...

In a storm that struck Lake Huron on November 9, 1913, ten lake freighters were lost. Seven of them vanished, ranging from the 30-year-old, 82 m "Wexford" to the 168 m "James Carruthers", launched...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Grand Portage

Circumventing 34 km of falls and rapids, this portage ran some 14 km from this vicinity to a point upstream on the Pigeon River. It was first mentioned in 1722 by a French trader named Jean...

Circumventing 34 km of falls and rapids, this portage ran some 14 km from this vicinity to a point upstream on the Pigeon River. It was first mentioned in 1722 by a French trader named...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

George Agnew Reid 1860-1947

Born near Wingham, Reid became a successful genre painter and muralist who believed art to be an integral part of the human environment. He was active in organizing support organizations to...

Born near Wingham, Reid became a successful genre painter and muralist who believed art to be an integral part of the human environment. He was active in organizing support organizations...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown