A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
Explore the nearly 25,000 worldwide plaques on the Big Map big map screenshot
The most recent plaques:

Sir John A. Macdonald 1815-1891

Canada's first Prime Minister was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and immigrated with his family to Kingston, Upper Canada, in 1820. A successful lawyer, he was elected to the provincial legislature in...

Canada's first Prime Minister was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and immigrated with his family to Kingston, Upper Canada, in 1820. A successful lawyer, he was elected to the provincial legislature in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Second Invasion of York 1813

On the morning of July 13, 1813, a U.S. invasion fleet appeared off York (Toronto) after having withdrawn from a planned attack on British positions at Burlington Heights. That afternoon 300...

On the morning of July 13, 1813, a U.S. invasion fleet appeared off York (Toronto) after having withdrawn from a planned attack on British positions at Burlington Heights. That afternoon 300...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Stanley Barracks

The British army established a military post here in 1840-41 to replace aging Fort York. Known as the New Fort, it consisted of seven limestone buildings around a parade square, and a number of...

The British army established a military post here in 1840-41 to replace aging Fort York. Known as the New Fort, it consisted of seven limestone buildings around a parade square, and a number...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Lawrence Hall

Designed by William Thomas, in the Renaissance tradition, this hall, built by the city in 1850, was for many years Toronto's chief social and cultural centre. With its handsome Corinthian facade...

Designed by William Thomas, in the Renaissance tradition, this hall, built by the city in 1850, was for many years Toronto's chief social and cultural centre. With its handsome Corinthian facade...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

"Sunrise" Park

While living in the nearby Bradgate Arms, young Ernest Seitz (1892-1978) completed his now famous song "The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise". In 1919, words were added by Gene Lockhart of London,...

While living in the nearby Bradgate Arms, young Ernest Seitz (1892-1978) completed his now famous song "The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise". In 1919, words were added by Gene Lockhart of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Ernest MacMillan (1893-1973)

Knighted in 1935 for services to music in Canada, Ernest MacMillan was a familiar figure to adults and school children alike. A composer and organist, he was for many years conductor of the...

Knighted in 1935 for services to music in Canada, Ernest MacMillan was a familiar figure to adults and school children alike. A composer and organist, he was for many years conductor of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Spruce Court Apartments 1913 (with later additions)

Spruce Court is one of the earliest examples of publicly supported rental housing in Canada. It was the first project constructed for the Toronto Housing Company, an organization that included...

Spruce Court is one of the earliest examples of publicly supported rental housing in Canada. It was the first project constructed for the Toronto Housing Company, an organization that...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Peter's Anglican Church

This parish, which extends from Yonge Street to the Don River, was established in 1863, using the Chapel in St. James' Cemetery for worship. The following year Gundry & Langley designed this...

This parish, which extends from Yonge Street to the Don River, was established in 1863, using the Chapel in St. James' Cemetery for worship. The following year Gundry & Langley designed...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. James' Cathedral

York's first church was built here in 1803-07 with the aid of public subscriptions and a government grant. That frame building was enlarged in 1818-19 and replaced by a larger one in 1831. The...

York's first church was built here in 1803-07 with the aid of public subscriptions and a government grant. That frame building was enlarged in 1818-19 and replaced by a larger one in 1831. The...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Gordon Drummond 1771-1854

Born at Quebec, Gordon Drummond had a distinguished military career in various parts of the Empire before becoming Administrator of Upper Canada and commander of the British forces in the province...

Born at Quebec, Gordon Drummond had a distinguished military career in various parts of the Empire before becoming Administrator of Upper Canada and commander of the British forces in the province...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Saint Luke's United Church Centennial 1887-1987

This church was known as Sherbourne Street Methodist when it opened for worship 5 June 1887. Designed by architects Langley and Burke, it replaced a smaller house of worship built here in 1871....

This church was known as Sherbourne Street Methodist when it opened for worship 5 June 1887. Designed by architects Langley and Burke, it replaced a smaller house of worship built here in 1871....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Site of the Christie Street Veterans' Hospital

On this site stood the Christie Street Veterans' Hospital, originally the National Cash Register Company Factory. In 1919 the factory was converted to the Toronto Military Orthopaedic Hospital....

On this site stood the Christie Street Veterans' Hospital, originally the National Cash Register Company Factory. In 1919 the factory was converted to the Toronto Military Orthopaedic...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. John the Baptist, Norway

This church, designed by C.J. Gibson, was built in 1893 and enlarged by C.D. Lennox in 1915. Distinctive features are a high-peaked, hammer-beamed roof and stained glass from the original church...

This church, designed by C.J. Gibson, was built in 1893 and enlarged by C.D. Lennox in 1915. Distinctive features are a high-peaked, hammer- beamed roof and stained glass from the original church...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Saint Thomas's Anglican Church

Saint Thomas's was founded in 1874 as the Anglican Parish Church for Seaton Village. The congregation relocated twice before moving to a new, larger building on this site in 1893. A fine example...

Saint Thomas's was founded in 1874 as the Anglican Parish Church for Seaton Village. The congregation relocated twice before moving to a new, larger building on this site in 1893. A fine example...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Oliver Mowat 1820-1903

Born in Kingston, where he was trained as a lawyer, Oliver Mowat served as a Toronto alderman before his election to the legislature of the united Canadas as a Reformer in 1857. He joined the...

Born in Kingston, where he was trained as a lawyer, Oliver Mowat served as a Toronto alderman before his election to the legislature of the united Canadas as a Reformer in 1857. He joined the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sunnyside Amusement Park

The name originates from John George Howard's Sunnyside Farm, established nearby in 1849. Begun in 1922 by the Toronto Harbour Commissioners, Sunnyside, with its thrilling rides including the...

The name originates from John George Howard's Sunnyside Farm, established nearby in 1849. Begun in 1922 by the Toronto Harbour Commissioners, Sunnyside, with its thrilling rides including...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Spadina and the Austins

The present Spadina estate at the crest of this hill, originally comprising 52 hectares of land, was occupied by the Austin family for more than 100 years. James Austin (1813-1897) built his...

The present Spadina estate at the crest of this hill, originally comprising 52 hectares of land, was occupied by the Austin family for more than 100 years. James Austin (1813-1897) built...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Saint Michael's Cemetery, 1855

Toronto's first Roman Catholic Cemetery was beside St. Paul's Church in east downtown Toronto which was established as a Parish in 1822. This cemetery was rapidly filled as a result of the many...

Toronto's first Roman Catholic Cemetery was beside St. Paul's Church in east downtown Toronto which was established as a Parish in 1822. This cemetery was rapidly filled as a result of the many...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Jude's Church

Erected in 1848 by the Rev. Wm. Stewart Darling and the Anglican families of the Wexford area of Scarborough, the site of the church and the cemetery was originally a private burial plot of the...

Erected in 1848 by the Rev. Wm. Stewart Darling and the Anglican families of the Wexford area of Scarborough, the site of the church and the cemetery was originally a private burial plot of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Straightening the Don, 1890

Prior to 1890 the Don River meandered through an unspoiled valley and was popular for swimming, boating, fishing and skating.The straightened channel, known as the "Don Improvement", was built to...

Prior to 1890 the Don River meandered through an unspoiled valley and was popular for swimming, boating, fishing and skating.The straightened channel, known as the "Don Improvement", was built to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown