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

Homer Ransford Watson 1855-1936

An intimate knowledge and love of nature enabled Homer Watson to paint the environs of his birthplace, Doon, with rare sensitivity. Self-taught for the most part, he dignified pioneer motifs...

An intimate knowledge and love of nature enabled Homer Watson to paint the environs of his birthplace, Doon, with rare sensitivity. Self- taught for the most part, he dignified pioneer motifs...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Honourable James Young 1835-1913

Born in Galt, Young was educated locally, and from 1853 to 1863 was editor and publisher of the Dumfries Reformer. From 1867 to 1878 he represented South Waterloo in the Canadian Parliament, and...

Born in Galt, Young was educated locally, and from 1853 to 1863 was editor and publisher of the Dumfries Reformer. From 1867 to 1878 he represented South Waterloo in the Canadian Parliament, and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Henry Hudson and the Search for the Northwest Passage

In 1600 Henry Hudson, a renowned English navigator, commenced his second voyage in search of a northwest route to China. With great daring and resolution he navigated the treacherous waters of...

In 1600 Henry Hudson, a renowned English navigator, commenced his second voyage in search of a northwest route to China. With great daring and resolution he navigated the treacherous waters of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hugh Burnett and the National Unity Association

Between 1948 and 1956, the National Unity Association (NUA) of Chatham, Dresden and North Buxton, under the leadership of Hugh R. Burnett, waged a campaign for racial equality and social justice....

Between 1948 and 1956, the National Unity Association (NUA) of Chatham, Dresden and North Buxton, under the leadership of Hugh R. Burnett, waged a campaign for racial equality and social justice....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Horatio George Summers 1865-1941

Comedian, actor and theatrical manager, George Summers established the Mountain park Theatre here in 1902. It was one of the earliest theatres of its kind in Ontario. For twelve successful...

Comedian, actor and theatrical manager, George Summers established the Mountain park Theatre here in 1902. It was one of the earliest theatres of its kind in Ontario. For twelve...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Honourable James Cockburn, 1819-1883

A Father of Confederation, James Cockburn was born in Berwick, England, and came to Canada with his parents in 1832. Admitted to the bar in 1846, he formed a partnership with D.E. Boulton in...

A Father of Confederation, James Cockburn was born in Berwick, England, and came to Canada with his parents in 1832. Admitted to the bar in 1846, he formed a partnership with D.E. Boulton in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Holleford Crater

A meteorite travelling 55,000 kilometres per hour smashed into the earth here eons ago, blasting a hole 244 metres deep and 2.5 kilometres wide. Aerial photographs revealed the crater in 1955, and...

A meteorite travelling 55,000 kilometres per hour smashed into the earth here eons ago, blasting a hole 244 metres deep and 2.5 kilometres wide. Aerial photographs revealed the crater in 1955, and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Home Children

Beginning in 1869, British charitable societies removed children from slums and orphanages in congested industrial cities and brought them to Canada to serve as cheap farm and domestic labour....

Beginning in 1869, British charitable societies removed children from slums and orphanages in congested industrial cities and brought them to Canada to serve as cheap farm and domestic...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Honourable Mitchell F. Hepburn, 1896-1953

Ontario's eleventh prime minister was born in nearby Yarmouth Township and educated at St. Thomas Collegiate. After serving in World War I, he was elected to the federal parliament in 1926 as...

Ontario's eleventh prime minister was born in nearby Yarmouth Township and educated at St. Thomas Collegiate. After serving in World War I, he was elected to the federal parliament in 1926 as...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Huntsville and Lake of Bays Railway Company

When completed in 1905, the Huntsville and Lake of Bays Railway, or Portage Railway, provided a crucial 1.8 km link connecting steamboats on Peninsula Lake to Lake of Bays and opened up North...

When completed in 1905, the Huntsville and Lake of Bays Railway, or Portage Railway, provided a crucial 1.8 km link connecting steamboats on Peninsula Lake to Lake of Bays and opened up...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Honourable G. Howard Ferguson 1870-1946

Ontario's ninth Premier was born here in Kemptville, son of Charles Ferguson, a local doctor and member of the House of Commons. Following graduation from the University of Toronto in 1891, Howard...

Ontario's ninth Premier was born here in Kemptville, son of Charles Ferguson, a local doctor and member of the House of Commons. Following graduation from the University of Toronto in 1891, Howard...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hamilton & Scourge

The wrecks of the Hamilton and Scourge are rare examples of vessels used during the War of 1812. Designed as merchant schooners, both were converted into American warships once hostilities began...

The wrecks of the Hamilton and Scourge are rare examples of vessels used during the War of 1812. Designed as merchant schooners, both were converted into American warships once hostilities began...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hull's Landing 1812

On July 12, 1812, Brigadier-General William Hull, commander of the North Western Army of the United States, landed with about 2,000 men near this site. He issued a proclamation stating that he...

On July 12, 1812, Brigadier-General William Hull, commander of the North Western Army of the United States, landed with about 2,000 men near this site. He issued a proclamation stating that...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Henry John Cody 1868-1951

Born at Embro and educated at Galt Collegiate Institute, this distinguished churchman and educationist graduated from the University of Toronto in 1889. Ordained to the Anglican ministry in 1893,...

Born at Embro and educated at Galt Collegiate Institute, this distinguished churchman and educationist graduated from the University of Toronto in 1889. Ordained to the Anglican ministry in 1893,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Honourable George Alexander Drew, C.C. 1894-1973

George Alexander Drew, Premier of Ontario from 1943-1948, was born in Guelph, Ontario in 1894. Educated at Upper Canada College, the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall, Drew served in the...

George Alexander Drew, Premier of Ontario from 1943-1948, was born in Guelph, Ontario in 1894. Educated at Upper Canada College, the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall, Drew served in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Heroine of Long Point

In November, 1854, the schooner "Conductor" was wrecked off this shore during one of Lake Erie's many violent storms. Jeremiah Becker, who resided nearby, was away on the mainland but his...

In November, 1854, the schooner "Conductor" was wrecked off this shore during one of Lake Erie's many violent storms. Jeremiah Becker, who resided nearby, was away on the mainland but...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Honourable George Brown 1818-1880

Across the Grand River at this point lies Bow Park, once the farm of George Brown, a leading architect of Confederation, who built up an estate of some 324 ha beginning in 1866. A Scottish...

Across the Grand River at this point lies Bow Park, once the farm of George Brown, a leading architect of Confederation, who built up an estate of some 324 ha beginning in 1866. A...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Haggarts

John Haggart, a Scottish stone mason, came to Canada in the 1820s and worked on the Welland and Rideau Canals. In 1832 he purchased this property which included the Perth settlements first mill...

John Haggart, a Scottish stone mason, came to Canada in the 1820s and worked on the Welland and Rideau Canals. In 1832 he purchased this property which included the Perth settlements first...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hay Bay Church 1792

In 1791, William Losee, an itinerant preacher, organized in this district the first Methodist circuit in Upper Canada. This Meeting House, Upper Canada's first Methodist chapel, was built in 1792....

In 1791, William Losee, an itinerant preacher, organized in this district the first Methodist circuit in Upper Canada. This Meeting House, Upper Canada's first Methodist chapel, was built in 1792....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Honourable William Earl Rowe 1894-1984

A veteran parliamentarian who subsequently served as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Rowe was born in Hull, Iowa and raised in Simcoe County. He early exhibited an interest in politics and in 1923...

A veteran parliamentarian who subsequently served as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Rowe was born in Hull, Iowa and raised in Simcoe County. He early exhibited an interest in politics and in 1923...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown