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

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

Royal Canadian Mounted Police 1873-1973

To bring law and order to the Canadian West, the North West Mounted Police was formed in 1873. Here, at the 'New Fort', was one of the first recruiting centres for the assembly and training of the...

To bring law and order to the Canadian West, the North West Mounted Police was formed in 1873. Here, at the 'New Fort', was one of the first recruiting centres for the assembly and training of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rosedale Villa

Near this site stood the home of Sheriff William Botsford Jarvis from 1826 to 1864. The original farmhouse of 1821 was enlarged and redesigned by John Howard in 1835 and stood until 1905. Named...

Near this site stood the home of Sheriff William Botsford Jarvis from 1826 to 1864. The original farmhouse of 1821 was enlarged and redesigned by John Howard in 1835 and stood until 1905....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Queen's Rangers

The young province of Upper Canada (Ontario) required troops to defend it and to build public works essential to its development. The Queen's Rangers was the first regiment raised in Britain...

The young province of Upper Canada (Ontario) required troops to defend it and to build public works essential to its development. The Queen's Rangers was the first regiment raised in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Queen Mary Hospital

The first sanatorium in the world devoted exclusively to the treatment of children with tuberculosis, Queen Mary Hospital was opened in 1913. It formed part of a complex with the Toronto Hospital...

The first sanatorium in the world devoted exclusively to the treatment of children with tuberculosis, Queen Mary Hospital was opened in 1913. It formed part of a complex with the Toronto Hospital...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown