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

The Mill of Kintail and Robert Tait McKenzie

This grist-mill was constructed in 1830 by John Baird, a Scottish pioneer. In 1930 it was restored by Robert Tait McKenzie (1867-1938) the prominent Canadian surgeon, physical educator, and...

This grist-mill was constructed in 1830 by John Baird, a Scottish pioneer. In 1930 it was restored by Robert Tait McKenzie (1867-1938) the prominent Canadian surgeon, physical educator, and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonell (Aberchalder) c. 1750-1809

Born in Scotland, Macdonell came to New York in 1773. Commissioned ensign in the Royal Highland Emigrants (84th Regiment) in June 1775 and later transferred to Butler's Rangers, Macdonell served...

Born in Scotland, Macdonell came to New York in 1773. Commissioned ensign in the Royal Highland Emigrants (84th Regiment) in June 1775 and later transferred to Butler's Rangers, Macdonell...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Liberation of the Netherlands

Canada brought liberty and life to the Netherlands at the end of the Second World War. Between October 1944 and May 1945, with fierce fighting and heavy loss of life, the Canadian military opened...

Canada brought liberty and life to the Netherlands at the end of the Second World War. Between October 1944 and May 1945, with fierce fighting and heavy loss of life, the Canadian military opened...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel William Caldwell

Born about 1750 in Fermanagh County, Ireland, Caldwell emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1773. During the American Revolution he served with the British forces as a captain in Butler's Rangers at...

Born about 1750 in Fermanagh County, Ireland, Caldwell emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1773. During the American Revolution he served with the British forces as a captain in Butler's Rangers at...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Long Point Settlement

Long Point was known to traders and travellers before the area was purchased from the Mississauga Indians in 1784. In this unsurveyed area twenty to thirty "squatters" had settled by 1791, some of...

Long Point was known to traders and travellers before the area was purchased from the Mississauga Indians in 1784. In this unsurveyed area twenty to thirty "squatters" had settled by 1791, some...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Louis Hémon 1880-1913

The author of "Maria Chapdelaine", Hémon was born at Brest, France. He immigrated to Canada in 1911 and spent about eight months in the Lac St. Jean region of Quebec. While working on a farm near...

The author of "Maria Chapdelaine", Hémon was born at Brest, France. He immigrated to Canada in 1911 and spent about eight months in the Lac St. Jean region of Quebec. While working on a farm...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Ryerse 1752-1812

A United Empire Loyalist, Ryerse was commissioned in the 4th New Jersey Volunteers during the American Revolution, following which he took refuge in New Brunswick. In 1794 he came to Upper Canada,...

A United Empire Loyalist, Ryerse was commissioned in the 4th New Jersey Volunteers during the American Revolution, following which he took refuge in New Brunswick. In 1794 he came to Upper Canada,...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Government Ditches: The Draining of Minnesota

Government Ditches: The Draining of Minnesota Drainage of surface water is vital to all aspects of development, from town sites to agricultural crop land.  Its importance, impact, and consequences...

Government Ditches: The Draining of Minnesota Drainage of surface water is vital to all aspects of development, from town sites to agricultural crop land.  Its importance, impact, and consequences...

  • minnesota
  • drainage ditches
  • i-90
  • jackson
  • rest stop
  • minnesota history

The Law Society of Upper Canada 1797

Following the introduction of English Civil Law into this province in 1792, legislation was passed in 1797 authorizing the establishment of the Law Society of Upper Canada. A founding meeting was...

Following the introduction of English Civil Law into this province in 1792, legislation was passed in 1797 authorizing the establishment of the Law Society of Upper Canada. A founding meeting...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Legislature of the Province of Canada 1841-1844

Following the union of Upper and Lower Canada in 1841, Kingston was chosen as the capital of the United Province. The new municipal hospital was hurriedly modified to provide temporary legislative...

Following the union of Upper and Lower Canada in 1841, Kingston was chosen as the capital of the United Province. The new municipal hospital was hurriedly modified to provide temporary legislative...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel Thain Wendell MacDowell, V.C., D.S.O., 1890-1960

Born at Lachute, Quebec, MacDowell moved to Maitland in 1897. He attended local schools and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1915. During World War I, he enlisted, on January 9, 1915,...

Born at Lachute, Quebec, MacDowell moved to Maitland in 1897. He attended local schools and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1915. During World War I, he enlisted, on January 9, 1915,...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lawren Harris 1885-1970

Born into a prominent Brantford family, Lawren Harris began to paint as a child. At the University of Toronto, a professor noted he sketched during lectures and advised he be sent to Europe to...

Born into a prominent Brantford family, Lawren Harris began to paint as a child. At the University of Toronto, a professor noted he sketched during lectures and advised he be sent to Europe to...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lance Corporal Fred Fisher, V.C. 1894-1915

Born in St. Catharines, Fred Fisher abandoned his studies at McGill University when World War I broke out and served with the 13th Battalion, First Division, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Fisher...

Born in St. Catharines, Fred Fisher abandoned his studies at McGill University when World War I broke out and served with the 13th Battalion, First Division, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Fisher...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel Mahlon Burwell 1783-1846

Born of Loyalist parents, Burwell became a deputy-surveyor in 1809 and was instructed to lay out the Talbot Road for settlement. He was granted 240 ha of land in Southwold Township where he...

Born of Loyalist parents, Burwell became a deputy- surveyor in 1809 and was instructed to lay out the Talbot Road for settlement. He was granted 240 ha of land in Southwold Township where he...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel John Butler 1725-1796

Born in New London, Connecticut, Butler settled in the Mohawk Valley, New York, in 1742. Commissioned in the British Indian Department in 1755, he served in the Seven Years' War. At the outbreak...

Born in New London, Connecticut, Butler settled in the Mohawk Valley, New York, in 1742. Commissioned in the British Indian Department in 1755, he served in the Seven Years' War. At the outbreak...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae

Canadian poet, physician and soldier, McCrae was born in this house November 30, 1872. He died at Wimereux, France, January 28, 1918. While Medical Officer to the 1st Artillery Brigade, he wrote...

Canadian poet, physician and soldier, McCrae was born in this house November 30, 1872. He died at Wimereux, France, January 28, 1918. While Medical Officer to the 1st Artillery Brigade, he wrote...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lac La Pluie House 1818-1903

The Hudson's Bay Company established Lac La Pluie House on this site to compete for furs with the North West Company's Fort Lac La Pluie. After the two companies merged in 1821, only Lac La Pluie...

The Hudson's Bay Company established Lac La Pluie House on this site to compete for furs with the North West Company's Fort Lac La Pluie. After the two companies merged in 1821, only Lac La...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel John By, R.E., 1779-1836

Born in Lambeth, London, By graduated from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in 1799. With the Royal Engineers in Canada (1802-1811) he was engaged in the reconstruction of the fortifications...

Born in Lambeth, London, By graduated from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in 1799. With the Royal Engineers in Canada (1802-1811) he was engaged in the reconstruction of the fortifications...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae 1872-1918

The distinguished soldier, physician and poet was born and raised in Guelph, Ontario. John McCrae graduated from the University of Toronto in medicine, practised as a pathologist and taught...

The distinguished soldier, physician and poet was born and raised in Guelph, Ontario. John McCrae graduated from the University of Toronto in medicine, practised as a pathologist and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Long Point Portage

This portage, which crossed the isthmus joining Long Point to the mainland, was used by travelers in small craft following the north shore of Lake Erie in order to avoid the open waters and the...

This portage, which crossed the isthmus joining Long Point to the mainland, was used by travelers in small craft following the north shore of Lake Erie in order to avoid the open waters and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown