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

Herman Northrop Frye, CC FRSC (July 14, 1912 - January 23, 1991)

Northrop Frye was one of the most influential literary critics and theorists of the twentieth century. After graduating from Victoria College (1933) and Emmanuel College (1936), he went to Merton...

Northrop Frye was one of the most influential literary critics and theorists of the twentieth century. After graduating from Victoria College (1933) and Emmanuel College (1936), he went to Merton...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

History of the Pier 6 Building

The Pier 6 building you are in is the oldest structure on Toronto's Central Waterfront. Built in 1907 at the foot of Bay Street as a simple freight shed leased by a ferry company, it became...

The Pier 6 building you are in is the oldest structure on Toronto's Central Waterfront. Built in 1907 at the foot of Bay Street as a simple freight shed leased by a ferry company, it...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Highland Creek Mills

The early settlers of Scarborough used the waters of Highland Creek to provide power for their many saw and grist mills in this valley. The first mill in the township was built here in 1804 by...

The early settlers of Scarborough used the waters of Highland Creek to provide power for their many saw and grist mills in this valley. The first mill in the township was built here in 1804 by...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hockey Hall of Fame

The Hockey Hall of Fame was founded in 1943 to establish a memorial to those who have developed Canada's great winter sport - ice hockey. Its mandate is to recognize and honour the achievements of...

The Hockey Hall of Fame was founded in 1943 to establish a memorial to those who have developed Canada's great winter sport - ice hockey. Its mandate is to recognize and honour the achievements of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Honourable Herbert Alexander Bruce, M.D. 1868-1963

A distinguished surgeon and able public servant, Bruce was born in Blackstock and educated at the Toronto School of Medicine. In 1897, after obtaining a fellowship from the Royal College of...

A distinguished surgeon and able public servant, Bruce was born in Blackstock and educated at the Toronto School of Medicine. In 1897, after obtaining a fellowship from the Royal College...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Heliconian Hall

This distinctive hall, home of the Heliconian Club since 1923, was built as a Carpenter Gothic Revival Style church in 1876. Established in 1909, the club brought together professional women from...

This distinctive hall, home of the Heliconian Club since 1923, was built as a Carpenter Gothic Revival Style church in 1876. Established in 1909, the club brought together professional women...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

HMCS York

In honour of the men and the women who entered Canada's naval service through HMCS York and fought the Battle of the Atlantic 1939-1945The Automotive Building was the site of Toronto's naval...

In honour of the men and the women who entered Canada's naval service through HMCS York and fought the Battle of the Atlantic 1939-1945The Automotive Building was the site of Toronto's naval...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Humewood

The prominence of the Blake family attracted residents to this neighbourhood after William Hume Blake built the Humewood Estate in the 1860s. He emigrated from Ireland in 1832, and attempted...

The prominence of the Blake family attracted residents to this neighbourhood after William Hume Blake built the Humewood Estate in the 1860s. He emigrated from Ireland in 1832, and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hambourg Conservatory of Music 1913-1951

This site was previously graced by a spacious Victorian mansion with gabled roofs and porticos. Originally built for the prominent Toronto surgeon Dr. J.F.W. Ross, it was acquired in 1913 by...

This site was previously graced by a spacious Victorian mansion with gabled roofs and porticos. Originally built for the prominent Toronto surgeon Dr. J.F.W. Ross, it was acquired in 1913...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Horner Avenue

Horner Avenue is named for one of Alderwood's pioneer families. The Horner homestead was built by Archibald Cameron in 1850, using red and white bricks made right on the property. The house and...

Horner Avenue is named for one of Alderwood's pioneer families. The Horner homestead was built by Archibald Cameron in 1850, using red and white bricks made right on the property. The house...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hazeldean

In the early 1800s, the City of Toronto did not extend north of present-day Queen Street. Like many of the City's elite families of the time, Chief Justice William Draper (1801-1877) maintained a...

In the early 1800s, the City of Toronto did not extend north of present-day Queen Street. Like many of the City's elite families of the time, Chief Justice William Draper (1801-1877) maintained a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Hoggs Hollow Tragedy

On March 17, 1960, five Italian immigrant workers, Pasquale Allegrezza, Giovanni Battista Carriglio, Giovanni Fusillo, Alessandro and Guido Mantella, died in a tragic accident during construction...

On March 17, 1960, five Italian immigrant workers, Pasquale Allegrezza, Giovanni Battista Carriglio, Giovanni Fusillo, Alessandro and Guido Mantella, died in a tragic accident during construction...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Healey Willan (1880-1968)

As a composer, organist, choir master and teacher, Healey Willan waged constant war on mediocre church music. In the process he elevated the position of the church organist and set the standard...

As a composer, organist, choir master and teacher, Healey Willan waged constant war on mediocre church music. In the process he elevated the position of the church organist and set the standard...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hurricane Hazel

On October 15, 1954, Hurricane Hazel hit southern Ontario with 110 km/h winds and over 200 mm of rain. Many rivers, including the Humber, Don and Rouge overflowed flooding communities in much of...

On October 15, 1954, Hurricane Hazel hit southern Ontario with 110 km/h winds and over 200 mm of rain. Many rivers, including the Humber, Don and Rouge overflowed flooding communities in much...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Highland Creek School

The first school in this area was a small square plank building erected in 1832 on "Fishery Road" now Colonel Danforth Trail. In 1847 the area became S.S.7, and a single frame school was built at...

The first school in this area was a small square plank building erected in 1832 on "Fishery Road" now Colonel Danforth Trail. In 1847 the area became S.S.7, and a single frame school was built at...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

How St. Clair Got Its Name

In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel gained popularity throughout the continent. Uncle Tom's Cabin fuelled public debate about slavery as the American Civil War approached. It is said to have...

In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel gained popularity throughout the continent. Uncle Tom's Cabin fuelled public debate about slavery as the American Civil War approached. It is said to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Honourable William McDougall 1822-1905

A Father of Confederation, William McDougall was born on a farm in this vicinity. He became a solicitor and in 1850 founded the North American, a newspaper which became the voice of the "Clear...

A Father of Confederation, William McDougall was born on a farm in this vicinity. He became a solicitor and in 1850 founded the North American, a newspaper which became the voice of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Humberside Collegiate

Originally named Toronto Junction High School, Humberside Collegiate held its first classes in 1892. Two years later it moved from temporary quarters on Pacific Avenue to a new building on this...

Originally named Toronto Junction High School, Humberside Collegiate held its first classes in 1892. Two years later it moved from temporary quarters on Pacific Avenue to a new building on this...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Historic Postal Station 'G' 1913-1975 / Heritage Town Hall

Historic Postal Station 'G' This fine Neo-Classical building constructed of sandstone, a landmark in South Riverdale since its opening in 1913 as Postal Station 'G'. It was designed by E.J....

Historic Postal Station 'G' This fine Neo- Classical building constructed of sandstone, a landmark in South Riverdale since its opening in 1913 as Postal Station 'G'. It was designed by E.J....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Gladys Allison 1901-1979

This plaque honours the achievements of Gladys Allison who was the major force in establishing North York's first municipally sponsored library service. Gladys Allison served on the North York...

This plaque honours the achievements of Gladys Allison who was the major force in establishing North York's first municipally sponsored library service. Gladys Allison served on the North...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown