A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
Explore the 20,000+ worldwide plaques on the Big Map big map screenshot
The most recent plaques:

William Hamilton Merritt 1793-1862

Born of a Loyalist family in the state of New York, Merritt became a pioneer merchant and industrialist on Upper Canada's Niagara frontier. In 1818 he began to promote construction of the Welland...

Born of a Loyalist family in the state of New York, Merritt became a pioneer merchant and industrialist on Upper Canada's Niagara frontier. In 1818 he began to promote construction of the Welland...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Wolseley Expedition 1870

In August, 1870, a force of British regulars and Canadian militia comprising some 1,200 men commanded by Colonel Garnet Wolseley, arrived in this area en route to the Red River to establish...

In August, 1870, a force of British regulars and Canadian militia comprising some 1,200 men commanded by Colonel Garnet Wolseley, arrived in this area en route to the Red River to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Western Route of the C.P.R.

In June, 1875, the first sod on the Canadian Pacific Railway's line from the Lakehead to the West was turned at Fort William. A government contract of that year called for the building of a line...

In June, 1875, the first sod on the Canadian Pacific Railway's line from the Lakehead to the West was turned at Fort William. A government contract of that year called for the building of a line...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Wasdell Falls Hydro- Electric Development 1914

Completed in 1914, after several municipalities on the eastern shore of Lake Simcoe had requested a supply of electric power, this was the first generating station constructed by the...

Completed in 1914, after several municipalities on the eastern shore of Lake Simcoe had requested a supply of electric power, this was the first generating station constructed by the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Whitchurch Quaker Settlement

Among the early settlers locating in this area were a number of Quakers, including Samuel Lundy who provided land for the construction of a Meeting House in 1814. Formerly part of the Yonge Street...

Among the early settlers locating in this area were a number of Quakers, including Samuel Lundy who provided land for the construction of a Meeting House in 1814. Formerly part of the Yonge Street...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Henry Drummond 1854-1907

Physician and poet, William Henry Drummond was born in Ireland in 1854, and came to Canada with his parents about ten years later. In 1884 he graduated in medicine from Bishop's College,...

Physician and poet, William Henry Drummond was born in Ireland in 1854, and came to Canada with his parents about ten years later. In 1884 he graduated in medicine from Bishop's...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William J. Wintemberg 1876-1941

An outstanding Canadian archaeologist, Wintemberg was born in New Dundee and, as a youth, developed an avid interest in this region's folklore and prehistory. After 1901, he pursued various trades...

An outstanding Canadian archaeologist, Wintemberg was born in New Dundee and, as a youth, developed an avid interest in this region's folklore and prehistory. After 1901, he pursued various...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Windsor Ford Strike of 1945

As wartime labour shortages eased in 1945, contract talks between Ford of Canada and the United Auto Workers in Windsor stalled. The 10,000 members of Local 200 went on strike on September 12 to...

As wartime labour shortages eased in 1945, contract talks between Ford of Canada and the United Auto Workers in Windsor stalled. The 10,000 members of Local 200 went on strike on September 12 to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Warren Baldwin 1775-1844

The grandson of the former mayor of Cork, William Baldwin, one of the most influential politicians in Upper Canada (Ontario), was born some 8 km from here on his family's estate. In 1797 he...

The grandson of the former mayor of Cork, William Baldwin, one of the most influential politicians in Upper Canada (Ontario), was born some 8 km from here on his family's estate. In 1797 he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Williamstown Fair

Ontario's oldest continually operated agricultural fair received its patent on March 29, 1808, from Francis Gore, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. It is probable that at first, the local...

Ontario's oldest continually operated agricultural fair received its patent on March 29, 1808, from Francis Gore, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. It is probable that at first, the local...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Woodstock College 1857-1926

Here stood the Canadian Literary Institute which was incorporated in 1857, opened in 1860 and renamed Woodstock College in 1883. Sponsored by the Baptist Church, its establishment was largely the...

Here stood the Canadian Literary Institute which was incorporated in 1857, opened in 1860 and renamed Woodstock College in 1883. Sponsored by the Baptist Church, its establishment was largely the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

White Otter Castle

Woodsman Jimmy McOuat completed this house in 1915 when he was sixty years old. Ever since people have wondered why and how he built it. McOuat claimed that as a child in the Ottawa valley he was...

Woodsman Jimmy McOuat completed this house in 1915 when he was sixty years old. Ever since people have wondered why and how he built it. McOuat claimed that as a child in the Ottawa valley he was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Waterloo Pioneers

In the year 1800 a small number of Mennonite families arrived from Pennsylvania to settle Block 2, former Six Nation land along the Grand River. Others, mainly Mennonites, following during the...

In the year 1800 a small number of Mennonite families arrived from Pennsylvania to settle Block 2, former Six Nation land along the Grand River. Others, mainly Mennonites, following during...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Windermere

In the early 1860s, the government promoted agricultural settlement in Muskoka. Newcomers, including the Fife, Aitken and Forge families, settled near Lake Rosseau, working at farming and...

In the early 1860s, the government promoted agricultural settlement in Muskoka. Newcomers, including the Fife, Aitken and Forge families, settled near Lake Rosseau, working at farming...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Avery "Billy" Bishop and his Boyhood Home

This house is the birthplace and childhood home of Billy Bishop, the legendary flying ace who won renown with the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during the First World War. In 1917 and...

This house is the birthplace and childhood home of Billy Bishop, the legendary flying ace who won renown with the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during the First World War. In 1917...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Willowbank

An outstanding example of Classical Revival architecture, this stately home was begun in 1833 and completed some two years later. It was erected by Alexander Hamilton (1794-1839), Sheriff of the...

An outstanding example of Classical Revival architecture, this stately home was begun in 1833 and completed some two years later. It was erected by Alexander Hamilton (1794-1839), Sheriff of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Willow Creek Depot

During the War of 1812, the Nine Mile Portage from Kempenfel(d)t Bay to Willow Creek formed part of the vital route, via Yonge Street, Lake Simcoe, the Nottawasaga River and Georgian Bay which...

During the War of 1812, the Nine Mile Portage from Kempenfel(d)t Bay to Willow Creek formed part of the vital route, via Yonge Street, Lake Simcoe, the Nottawasaga River and Georgian Bay...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William McGillivray 1764-1825

Born in Inverness-shire, Scotland, McGillivray joined the North West Company in 1784, became a partner in 1790 and its principal director in 1804. Fort Kaministiquia, the Company's wilderness...

Born in Inverness-shire, Scotland, McGillivray joined the North West Company in 1784, became a partner in 1790 and its principal director in 1804. Fort Kaministiquia, the Company's...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Hamilton Merritt 1793-1862

A pioneer in the field of transportation, Merritt was born in Bedford, New York, and settled at Twelve Mile Creek (St. Catharines) with his Loyalist family in 1796. He served with the provincial...

A pioneer in the field of transportation, Merritt was born in Bedford, New York, and settled at Twelve Mile Creek (St. Catharines) with his Loyalist family in 1796. He served with the provincial...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Wilberforce Red Cross Outpost

This nursing station, one of the first in a network built by the Canadian Red Cross following the Great War, illustrates the contribution made by countless outpost nurses in the settlement of...

This nursing station, one of the first in a network built by the Canadian Red Cross following the Great War, illustrates the contribution made by countless outpost nurses in the settlement...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown