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The most recent plaques:

Annesley Hall

Inspired by English cottages, this woman's residence is a fine example of Queen Anne Revival architecture in Canada. A welcoming, home-like setting is conveyed through the harmony of an irregular...

Inspired by English cottages, this woman's residence is a fine example of Queen Anne Revival architecture in Canada. A welcoming, home-like setting is conveyed through the harmony of an irregular...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

11 St. Joseph Street

Rawlinson Cartage, one of the oldest express and storage firms in Toronto, had their main shop at 610 Yonge Street and their warehouse on St. Nicholas and St. Joseph Streets. The buildings at 5...

Rawlinson Cartage, one of the oldest express and storage firms in Toronto, had their main shop at 610 Yonge Street and their warehouse on St. Nicholas and St. Joseph Streets. The buildings at 5...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Archives of Ontario

In 1903, responding to public demands for an historical records repository, the Ontario government established a provincial archives under Alexander Fraser, a Toronto editor and historian. As...

In 1903, responding to public demands for an historical records repository, the Ontario government established a provincial archives under Alexander Fraser, a Toronto editor and historian. As...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Association of Provincial Land Surveyors of Ontario

The provincial land surveyors, successors to the deputy provincial surveyors of Canada West, were appointed to map the province and mark out townships, roads and lots for settlement. They were...

The provincial land surveyors, successors to the deputy provincial surveyors of Canada West, were appointed to map the province and mark out townships, roads and lots for settlement. They were...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

184 Roxborough Drive

Nancy Ruth (nee Jackman) - feminist, social and political activist, and philanthropist - lived at 184 Roxborough Drive, the house just east of this entrance to Chorley Park, from 1980 to...

Nancy Ruth (nee Jackman) - feminist, social and political activist, and philanthropist - lived at 184 Roxborough Drive, the house just east of this entrance to Chorley Park, from 1980 to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Armadale Free Methodist Church 1880

One of the earliest Free Methodist societies in Canada was established in this area at nearby Ellesmere in 1874. The first services were held in a "Meeting House" provided by Robert Loveless, a...

One of the earliest Free Methodist societies in Canada was established in this area at nearby Ellesmere in 1874. The first services were held in a "Meeting House" provided by Robert Loveless,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

25 Years of Blue Jays Baseball

April 7, 1977 marked the introduction of Major League Baseball to Toronto when the Blue Jays Baseball Club played their first home game. They won that memorable opener, and have since brought...

April 7, 1977 marked the introduction of Major League Baseball to Toronto when the Blue Jays Baseball Club played their first home game. They won that memorable opener, and have since...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

132 Front Street East

This Starbucks is located on one of the most famous corners in Canadian history. It's where the old way of doing things changed forever and the idea of a Canada run by its people was born. Three...

This Starbucks is located on one of the most famous corners in Canadian history. It's where the old way of doing things changed forever and the idea of a Canada run by its people was born....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

363-365 Adelaide St. East 1842

These two attached houses are rare examples of Georgian-style residences that used to be common in Toronto. They were built for Paul Bishop, a blacksmith and landlord whose shop stood across the...

These two attached houses are rare examples of Georgian-style residences that used to be common in Toronto. They were built for Paul Bishop, a blacksmith and landlord whose shop stood across the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Alexander Muir 1830-1906

Principal of nearby Leslieville Public School who was inspired to write Canada's national song "The Maple Leaf Forever" by the falling leaves of this sturdy maple tree.Plaque via Alan L. Brown's...

Principal of nearby Leslieville Public School who was inspired to write Canada's national song "The Maple Leaf Forever" by the falling leaves of this sturdy maple tree.Plaque via Alan L. Brown's...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

1095-1099 Yonge Street 1892

This four-unit block was built in the Italianate commercial style by William J. Bromley, contractor. Decorative brickwork accents the roofline's pressed-metal cornice and frames the different...

This four-unit block was built in the Italianate commercial style by William J. Bromley, contractor. Decorative brickwork accents the roofline's pressed-metal cornice and frames the different...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Allen's Danforth Theatre 1919

Promoted as "Canada's First Super-Suburban Photoplay Palace", this theatre was constructed for Jule and Jay J. Allen, pioneers in the Canadian movie industry. After relocating the headquarters of...

Promoted as "Canada's First Super-Suburban Photoplay Palace", this theatre was constructed for Jule and Jay J. Allen, pioneers in the Canadian movie industry. After relocating the headquarters of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Athenaeum Club 1891

Built for the Athenaeum Club, this façade was designed by the architectural firm Denison and King in a Moorish Revival style, rare in Toronto. It features intricate brickwork, several Moorish...

Built for the Athenaeum Club, this façade was designed by the architectural firm Denison and King in a Moorish Revival style, rare in Toronto. It features intricate brickwork, several...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

32 Pounder Cannon

This 32 pounder cannon was made at the "Carron Works" in Scotland in 1807, and is believed to have been part of the armament of H.M.S. St. Lawrence which was launched at Kingston Ontario in...

This 32 pounder cannon was made at the "Carron Works" in Scotland in 1807, and is believed to have been part of the armament of H.M.S. St. Lawrence which was launched at Kingston Ontario...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Awde Street

This street was opened by the City of Toronto in 1908 and named for the Awde family, owners of this estate. Robert Awde (1838-1921) came to Canada with his family in 1868 and was for many years...

This street was opened by the City of Toronto in 1908 and named for the Awde family, owners of this estate. Robert Awde (1838-1921) came to Canada with his family in 1868 and was for many...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Ashbridge Estate

This property was home to one family for two centuries. Sarah Ashbridge and her family moved here from Pennsylvania and began clearing land in 1794. Two years later they were granted 243 ha...

This property was home to one family for two centuries. Sarah Ashbridge and her family moved here from Pennsylvania and began clearing land in 1794. Two years later they were granted 243...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ali vs Chuvalo

In March 1966, the heavyweight boxing champion of the world had been blacklisted. Muhammad Ali - whom many still insisted on calling Cassius Clay - was undefeated, at the peak of his powers, and...

In March 1966, the heavyweight boxing champion of the world had been blacklisted. Muhammad Ali - whom many still insisted on calling Cassius Clay - was undefeated, at the peak of his powers,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Alexander Robert Duff

Chemical engineer, explorer, photographer and superb athlete, Alex Duff was a pioneer in coaching girls' swimming, springboard and platform diving. From 1924 he trained girls exclusively, founding...

Chemical engineer, explorer, photographer and superb athlete, Alex Duff was a pioneer in coaching girls' swimming, springboard and platform diving. From 1924 he trained girls exclusively, founding...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

300 King Street East 1845

Charles C. Small had three upscale Georgian row-houses constructed here across the street from his own prominent villa, Berkeley House (demolished 1925). In 1879, this corner unit was extended to...

Charles C. Small had three upscale Georgian row- houses constructed here across the street from his own prominent villa, Berkeley House (demolished 1925). In 1879, this corner unit was extended...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Arena Gardens

From 1912 to 1989, this was the site of Arena Gardens, the second rink to be built here. With a seating capacity of 7,500, the arena was billed as the largest in the country and was home to many...

From 1912 to 1989, this was the site of Arena Gardens, the second rink to be built here. With a seating capacity of 7,500, the arena was billed as the largest in the country and was home to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown