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

Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada

For more than a century, this national organization has provided vital home nursing and health education to Canadians. Founded in 1897 by Lady Aberdeen, the Order developed innovative programs to...

For more than a century, this national organization has provided vital home nursing and health education to Canadians. Founded in 1897 by Lady Aberdeen, the Order developed innovative programs to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Victoria Road

In 1854 the government, faced with a decreasing supply of Crown land in the southern part of what is now Ontario began a network of "Colonization Roads" to encourage the settlement of the southern...

In 1854 the government, faced with a decreasing supply of Crown land in the southern part of what is now Ontario began a network of "Colonization Roads" to encourage the settlement of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Victoria Hall

One of the finest public buildings in Canada, this imposing structure was built as an expression of civic pride and confidence in the future. It was begun in 1856 and opened by the Prince of Wales...

One of the finest public buildings in Canada, this imposing structure was built as an expression of civic pride and confidence in the future. It was begun in 1856 and opened by the Prince of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Victoria Memorial Museum Building

Built between 1905 and 1911, this Tudor Revival structure with its crenellated roofline holds a prominent place in the history of Canadian museums. Originally constructed for the Geological Survey...

Built between 1905 and 1911, this Tudor Revival structure with its crenellated roofline holds a prominent place in the history of Canadian museums. Originally constructed for the Geological Survey...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Vrooman's Battery

Manned by Captain Samuel Hatt's 5th Lincoln (Militia) Regiment and a small party of the Lincoln Militia Artillery under Lieutenant John Ball, and consisting of one 24-pounder cannon mounted within...

Manned by Captain Samuel Hatt's 5th Lincoln (Militia) Regiment and a small party of the Lincoln Militia Artillery under Lieutenant John Ball, and consisting of one 24-pounder cannon mounted within...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown