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

Victoria Hall

When Victoria Hall was built in 1889, Petrolia, in the midst of an oil boom, was one of the wealthiest towns in Canada. The opulent town hall reflects this stage in the town's growth. While its...

When Victoria Hall was built in 1889, Petrolia, in the midst of an oil boom, was one of the wealthiest towns in Canada. The opulent town hall reflects this stage in the town's growth. While its...

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Victoria College

The cornerstone of this building was laid June 7, 1832, and teaching began in 1836. First operated under a royal charter by the Wesleyan Methodists as Upper Canada Academy, in 1841 it obtained a...

The cornerstone of this building was laid June 7, 1832, and teaching began in 1836. First operated under a royal charter by the Wesleyan Methodists as Upper Canada Academy, in 1841 it obtained...

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The Victoria Railway

The opening of the Haliburton district to organized settlement in the early 1860s encouraged promoters to consider the construction of railway lines into the area and to regions further north. One...

The opening of the Haliburton district to organized settlement in the early 1860s encouraged promoters to consider the construction of railway lines into the area and to regions further north. One...

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Veterans Charter

A programme of innovative social legislation, known collectively as the Veterans Charter, provided an unprecedented level of benefits to those who served in the Second World War. Advanced by the...

A programme of innovative social legislation, known collectively as the Veterans Charter, provided an unprecedented level of benefits to those who served in the Second World War. Advanced by the...

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The "Victoria" Boat Disaster 1881

On May 24, 1881, one of Canada's worst marine disasters occurred on the Thames River near this site. The "Victoria", a small, double-decked stern-wheeler commanded by Captain Donald Rankin, was...

On May 24, 1881, one of Canada's worst marine disasters occurred on the Thames River near this site. The "Victoria", a small, double-decked stern-wheeler commanded by Captain Donald Rankin, was...

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The Voyage of the "Griffon" 1679

First ship to sail Lakes, Erie, Huron and Michigan, the "Griffon", probably 12-14 metres long, was built by Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, several kilometres above Niagara Falls in 1679. La...

First ship to sail Lakes, Erie, Huron and Michigan, the "Griffon", probably 12-14 metres long, was built by Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, several kilometres above Niagara Falls in 1679. La...

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The University of Waterloo

In 1956 community leaders, headed by Dr. J. Gerald Hagey, formed the Waterloo College Associate Faculties, a non-denominational corporation, to provide Waterloo with improved educational...

In 1956 community leaders, headed by Dr. J. Gerald Hagey, formed the Waterloo College Associate Faculties, a non-denominational corporation, to provide Waterloo with improved...

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The University of Windsor

The University takes its origin from Assumption College (Roman Catholic) established here in 1857, and directed by the congregation of St. Basil after 1870. From 1919 to 1953, it was affiliated...

The University takes its origin from Assumption College (Roman Catholic) established here in 1857, and directed by the congregation of St. Basil after 1870. From 1919 to 1953, it was...

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United Empire Loyalists

The United Empire Loyalists played a prominent role in the development of this country. In particular, the officers and men of the Royal Highland Emigrants, the King's Royal Regiment of New York,...

The United Empire Loyalists played a prominent role in the development of this country. In particular, the officers and men of the Royal Highland Emigrants, the King's Royal Regiment of New York,...

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The Upper Canadian Act Against Slavery (1793)

Inspired by the abolitionist sentiment emerging in the late 18th century, Lieutenant-Governor J.G. Simcoe made Upper Canada the first British territory to legislate against slavery, which had...

Inspired by the abolitionist sentiment emerging in the late 18th century, Lieutenant-Governor J.G. Simcoe made Upper Canada the first British territory to legislate against slavery, which...

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University of St. Jerome's College

One of several classical colleges established in Ontario during the mid-19th century, St. Jerome's was founded by Resurrectionist priests in 1865 to serve German Roman Catholics in Waterloo...

One of several classical colleges established in Ontario during the mid-19th century, St. Jerome's was founded by Resurrectionist priests in 1865 to serve German Roman Catholics in Waterloo...

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Umfreville's Exploration 1784

A fur trader, Edward Umfreville, passed here in July, 1784. He had been commissioned by the North West Company to discover an alternative to the traditional canoe route to the West via the Grand...

A fur trader, Edward Umfreville, passed here in July, 1784. He had been commissioned by the North West Company to discover an alternative to the traditional canoe route to the West via the...

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Union of the North West and Hudson's Bay Companies

In the late eighteenth century, most of the fur traders using the Ottawa River-Great Lakes canoe route into the interior of North America belonged to the North West Company, which used Fort...

In the late eighteenth century, most of the fur traders using the Ottawa River-Great Lakes canoe route into the interior of North America belonged to the North West Company, which used Fort...

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The Underground Railroad in Canada

From the early 19th century until the American Civil War, settlements along the Detroit and Niagara rivers were important terminals of the Underground Railroad. White and black abolitionists...

From the early 19th century until the American Civil War, settlements along the Detroit and Niagara rivers were important terminals of the Underground Railroad. White and black abolitionists...

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Unitarian Universalist Church of Olinda

The Universalist faith developed in New England in the late 1700s and reached Canada in the early 1800s. Its central doctrine of universal salvation made it more liberal and inclusive than most...

The Universalist faith developed in New England in the late 1700s and reached Canada in the early 1800s. Its central doctrine of universal salvation made it more liberal and inclusive than...

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University of Ottawa

Founded in 1848 as the College of Bytown by Bishop Joseph-Bruno Guigues, the University of Ottawa is the oldest and largest bilingual post-secondary institution in Canada. Under the direction of...

Founded in 1848 as the College of Bytown by Bishop Joseph-Bruno Guigues, the University of Ottawa is the oldest and largest bilingual post-secondary institution in Canada. Under the direction of...

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Upper Canada's First Paper Mill 1826

The province's first paper mill began operations in 1826. Situated about 140 m downstream from here, it was owned by James Crooks (1786-1860), one of Upper Canada's most successful entrepreneurs....

The province's first paper mill began operations in 1826. Situated about 140 m downstream from here, it was owned by James Crooks (1786-1860), one of Upper Canada's most successful entrepreneurs....

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University of Ottawa

This institution was established in 1848 by Bishop Joseph-Eugene Guigues and placed under the direction of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Incorporated by Act of Parliament on May 30, 1849 as the...

This institution was established in 1848 by Bishop Joseph-Eugene Guigues and placed under the direction of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Incorporated by Act of Parliament on May 30, 1849 as the...

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Uxbridge Quaker Meeting House 1820

A good example of board and batten construction, this Meeting House was erected in 1820 to replace an earlier log structure. The building stands in the midst of the original Uxbridge Quaker...

A good example of board and batten construction, this Meeting House was erected in 1820 to replace an earlier log structure. The building stands in the midst of the original Uxbridge...

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Thomas and Frances Stewart

In 1822 the Stewart family emigrated from County Antrim, Ireland, to Upper Canada and the following year they began to farm this land on the Otonabee River. Thomas A. Stewart (1786-1847) served as...

In 1822 the Stewart family emigrated from County Antrim, Ireland, to Upper Canada and the following year they began to farm this land on the Otonabee River. Thomas A. Stewart (1786-1847) served...

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