A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
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The most recent plaques:

The Kenora Thistles, 1907

In January, 1907, a hockey team from Kenora, comprising E. Girouz (goal), A.H. Ross (point), S.I. Griffis (cover point), T. Hooper (rover), W. McGimsie (centre), R. Beaudro (right wing) and T....

In January, 1907, a hockey team from Kenora, comprising E. Girouz (goal), A.H. Ross (point), S.I. Griffis (cover point), T. Hooper (rover), W. McGimsie (centre), R. Beaudro (right wing) and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Kingston Post Office

In 1856-59 the government of the united Canadas erected the Kingston Post Office. Designed by the Montreal architectural firm of Hopkins, Lawford and Nelson, this limestone building shows the...

In 1856-59 the government of the united Canadas erected the Kingston Post Office. Designed by the Montreal architectural firm of Hopkins, Lawford and Nelson, this limestone building shows...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Kaministikwia Route

This chain of rivers, lakes and portages linking the St. Lawrence system with the waterways of the prairies had been known to the Indians for centuries when Jacques de Noyon first travelled it in...

This chain of rivers, lakes and portages linking the St. Lawrence system with the waterways of the prairies had been known to the Indians for centuries when Jacques de Noyon first travelled it in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Kapuskasing Internment Camp 1914-1920

When the First World War began, Canada established internment camps to detain persons viewed as security risks. Prejudice and wartime paranoia led to the needless internment of several thousand...

When the First World War began, Canada established internment camps to detain persons viewed as security risks. Prejudice and wartime paranoia led to the needless internment of several...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Kagawong Mill 1925

This building is a monument to two major Ontario resource industries. Built to process local spruce into pulp, it diverted water-power from the Kagawong River to drive its heavy machinery. Wet...

This building is a monument to two major Ontario resource industries. Built to process local spruce into pulp, it diverted water-power from the Kagawong River to drive its heavy machinery....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Johnstown District Court House and Gaol

In 1808 the provincial government authorized the erection of a court house and gaol at Elizabethtown (Brockville) to serve the District of Johnstown created ten years earlier. By 1811 a brick...

In 1808 the provincial government authorized the erection of a court house and gaol at Elizabethtown (Brockville) to serve the District of Johnstown created ten years earlier. By 1811 a brick...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Henry Coyne 1849-1942

Born in St. Thomas, Upper Canada, Coyne became Registrar of Deeds and, subsequently, Master of Titles, for Elgin County. Deeply interested in local history, he founded the Elgin Historical and...

Born in St. Thomas, Upper Canada, Coyne became Registrar of Deeds and, subsequently, Master of Titles, for Elgin County. Deeply interested in local history, he founded the Elgin Historical...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

John A. Macdonald in Hallowell

John A. Macdonald (1815-1891), who became Canada's first prime minister at Confederation, began the study of law in 1830 under George Mackenzie, a prominent Kingston lawyer. Three years later he...

John A. Macdonald (1815-1891), who became Canada's first prime minister at Confederation, began the study of law in 1830 under George Mackenzie, a prominent Kingston lawyer. Three years later...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jacques de Noyon 1668-1745

Jacques de Noyon was the first white man to explore this region. Born at Trois Riviéres, Noyon worked in the fur trade as a coureur de bois. In 1688 he led an expedition beyond Lake Superior into...

Jacques de Noyon was the first white man to explore this region. Born at Trois Riviéres, Noyon worked in the fur trade as a coureur de bois. In 1688 he led an expedition beyond Lake Superior into...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Paris Lee 1831-1904

One of the foremost 19th century arms inventors, Lee was born in Scotland. In 1836 his family came to Canada and settled at Galt. Lee was trained in his father's profession of watchmaker and...

One of the foremost 19th century arms inventors, Lee was born in Scotland. In 1836 his family came to Canada and settled at Galt. Lee was trained in his father's profession of watchmaker...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Justus Sherwood 1747-1798

Born in Connecticut, Sherwood settled in Vermont in 1774. On the outbreak of the American Revolution he was arrested as a Loyalist, but escaped to join the British at Crown Point. He was taken...

Born in Connecticut, Sherwood settled in Vermont in 1774. On the outbreak of the American Revolution he was arrested as a Loyalist, but escaped to join the British at Crown Point. He was taken...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Josiah Blackburn 1823-1890

The son of a Congregationalist minister, Blackburn was born in London, England. After some experience in journalism he immigrated to Canada West (now Ontario) in 1850 and joined the staff of The...

The son of a Congregationalist minister, Blackburn was born in London, England. After some experience in journalism he immigrated to Canada West (now Ontario) in 1850 and joined the staff of The...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

"Jake" Gaudaur 1858-1937

One of the world's greatest oarsmen, Jacob Gill Gaudaur grew up just east of here Atherley Narrows at a time when rowing was one of the most popular sports in North America. In 1892, a crowd of...

One of the world's greatest oarsmen, Jacob Gill Gaudaur grew up just east of here Atherley Narrows at a time when rowing was one of the most popular sports in North America. In 1892, a crowd...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Wallis 1806-1893

This house, "Maryboro' Lodge", was completed in 1837 by James Wallis, a gentleman from "Maryborough", Cork, Ireland, who had emigrated to Montreal in 1832. The following year he and Robert Jameson...

This house, "Maryboro' Lodge", was completed in 1837 by James Wallis, a gentleman from "Maryborough", Cork, Ireland, who had emigrated to Montreal in 1832. The following year he and Robert Jameson...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Josiah Henson (1789-1883)

After escaping to Upper Canada from slavery in Kentucky, the Reverend Josiah Henson became a conductor of the Underground Railroad and a force in the abolition movement. The founder of the Black...

After escaping to Upper Canada from slavery in Kentucky, the Reverend Josiah Henson became a conductor of the Underground Railroad and a force in the abolition movement. The founder of the Black...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Brown's Convention 1858

On May 10, 1858, American abolitionist John Brown held the last in a series of clandestine meetings here at First Baptist Church. Brown planned to establish an independent republic within the...

On May 10, 1858, American abolitionist John Brown held the last in a series of clandestine meetings here at First Baptist Church. Brown planned to establish an independent republic within...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Muir 1838-1914

Born in Dunbar, Scotland, this famous naturalist, whose books and articles played a significant role in the early development of the United States National Park Service, emigrated with his family...

Born in Dunbar, Scotland, this famous naturalist, whose books and articles played a significant role in the early development of the United States National Park Service, emigrated with his...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Jerome Hill 1838-1916

Born near Rockwood, Upper Canada, Hill moved to Minnesota in 1856 settling at St. Paul. Having organized the Red River Transportation Company which provided effective transportation between St....

Born near Rockwood, Upper Canada, Hill moved to Minnesota in 1856 settling at St. Paul. Having organized the Red River Transportation Company which provided effective transportation between St....

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Keating c.1786-1849

A sergeant in the Royal Artillery, Irish-born James Keating served with distinction during the War of 1812. His skilful handling of a British field gun forced the Americans to surrender Fort...

A sergeant in the Royal Artillery, Irish-born James Keating served with distinction during the War of 1812. His skilful handling of a British field gun forced the Americans to surrender...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Wesley Dafoe 1866-1944

Born in Bangor Township, Dafoe began his career with the "Montreal Daily Star" in 1883. Two years later he became editor of the "Ottawa Evening Journal" following which he served on the "Manitoba...

Born in Bangor Township, Dafoe began his career with the "Montreal Daily Star" in 1883. Two years later he became editor of the "Ottawa Evening Journal" following which he served on the "Manitoba...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown