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

The Memory of Hal and Ruth Launders

HERE RESTS THE MEMORY OF HAL AND RUTH LAUNDERS WHO CALLED THIS PLACE THEIR HOME FOR THE LAST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY. ARROWHEAD FARM, A PATCHWORK OF GENTLE PASTURE AND SPOTTED WOODLAND, STRETCHED...

HERE RESTS THE MEMORY OF HAL AND RUTH LAUNDERS WHO CALLED THIS PLACE THEIR HOME FOR THE LAST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY. ARROWHEAD FARM, A PATCHWORK OF GENTLE PASTURE AND SPOTTED WOODLAND,...

  • herndon
  • virginia
  • centre

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

In December, 1806, a group of German settlers from Berlin, Pennsylvania, led by Jacob and Michael Keffer, arrived in Vaughan Township, where they formed one of Upper Canada's earliest Lutheran...

In December, 1806, a group of German settlers from Berlin, Pennsylvania, led by Jacob and Michael Keffer, arrived in Vaughan Township, where they formed one of Upper Canada's earliest...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The ZEEP Reactor

A nuclear chain reaction was first initiated in Canada on September 5, 1945, when the ZEEP reactor went into operation here at Chalk River. Originally part of an effort to produce plutonium for...

A nuclear chain reaction was first initiated in Canada on September 5, 1945, when the ZEEP reactor went into operation here at Chalk River. Originally part of an effort to produce plutonium for...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Yonge Street

This highway was planned by the first governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe, as a military and commercial route between Lakes Ontario and Huron. Begun in 1795 by the Queen's Rangers it was...

This highway was planned by the first governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe, as a military and commercial route between Lakes Ontario and Huron. Begun in 1795 by the Queen's Rangers it...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Wellington County House of Industry and Refuge

This is the earliest surviving example of an important 19th-century institution, the government-supported poorhouse. Erected in 1877, it was the shelter of last resort for the homeless and...

This is the earliest surviving example of an important 19th-century institution, the government-supported poorhouse. Erected in 1877, it was the shelter of last resort for the homeless and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The White Chapel 1809

This church, formerly known as the "Old Chapel", was built on land donated by Stephen Conger, a Loyalist from New Jersey, who had settled with his family in Hallowell Township in 1787. Commenced...

This church, formerly known as the "Old Chapel", was built on land donated by Stephen Conger, a Loyalist from New Jersey, who had settled with his family in Hallowell Township in 1787. Commenced...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Wolverton Hall

This fine brick house, Regency in style with some Gothic touches, was built about 1854-55 by Enos Wolverton. It retains the splendid circular stairs which originally led to a windowed belvedere...

This fine brick house, Regency in style with some Gothic touches, was built about 1854-55 by Enos Wolverton. It retains the splendid circular stairs which originally led to a windowed belvedere...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Wintering Site

Here, 1669-1670, wintered Dollier and Galinée with seven other Frenchmen, the first Europeans known to have ascended the Great Lakes to Sault Ste. Marie. The earthen mounds are the remains of...

Here, 1669-1670, wintered Dollier and Galinée with seven other Frenchmen, the first Europeans known to have ascended the Great Lakes to Sault Ste. Marie. The earthen mounds are the remains of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Edward Gallie, M.D. 1882-1959

A master surgeon and teacher, Gallie was born in Barrie and educated at the University of Toronto. In 1906, after serving internships in Toronto and New York hospitals, he joined the staff of the...

A master surgeon and teacher, Gallie was born in Barrie and educated at the University of Toronto. In 1906, after serving internships in Toronto and New York hospitals, he joined the staff of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Whitefish Lake Post

The Hudson's Bay Company had established a fur trading post on the western shore of Whitefish Lake by 1824. It was hoped that a depot adjacent to the portage route to Wakami Lake would help...

The Hudson's Bay Company had established a fur trading post on the western shore of Whitefish Lake by 1824. It was hoped that a depot adjacent to the portage route to Wakami Lake would...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Willowbank

Named after the magnificent willow trees that once graced its grounds, Willowbank is an elegant example of the great rural estates of early 19th-century Upper Canada. Built for local businessman...

Named after the magnificent willow trees that once graced its grounds, Willowbank is an elegant example of the great rural estates of early 19th- century Upper Canada. Built for local...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Whitehern

Set in a rare walled garden and enriched by its interior decoration, Whitehern is a remarkably intact example of mid-19th century residential architecture. The lingering influence of the Palladian...

Set in a rare walled garden and enriched by its interior decoration, Whitehern is a remarkably intact example of mid-19th century residential architecture. The lingering influence of the Palladian...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Walter Allward (1875-1955)

An outstanding sculptor of some of Canada's finest public monuments, Walter Allward is best known for his masterpiece, the Vimy war memorial in France. He emerged as a dominant figure in the...

An outstanding sculptor of some of Canada's finest public monuments, Walter Allward is best known for his masterpiece, the Vimy war memorial in France. He emerged as a dominant figure in the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Welland Mills

Believed to have been one of Upper Canada's largest flour mills, this substantial limestone structure was erected in 1846-47 by Jacob Keefer. It was constructed on the Second Welland Canal, a...

Believed to have been one of Upper Canada's largest flour mills, this substantial limestone structure was erected in 1846-47 by Jacob Keefer. It was constructed on the Second Welland Canal,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

West Lake Boarding School

Built before 1839, this home, a fine example of "Loyalist Neo-Classical" architecture, was the main building of the West Lake Boarding School between 1841 and 1865. The first seminary in Canada of...

Built before 1839, this home, a fine example of "Loyalist Neo-Classical" architecture, was the main building of the West Lake Boarding School between 1841 and 1865. The first seminary in Canada of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Wilson Pugsley MacDonald (1880-1967)

Wilson MacDonald, born here at Cheapside, established his reputation as a poet with the publication in 1926, of "Out of the Wilderness", a collection of poems which received wide acclaim. This...

Wilson MacDonald, born here at Cheapside, established his reputation as a poet with the publication in 1926, of "Out of the Wilderness", a collection of poems which received wide acclaim. This...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Saunders 1836-1914

Born in England, Saunders came to Canada in 1848 and became a manufacturing chemist. A recognized expert in scientific agriculture, he was appointed Director of the new Experimental Farms Branch...

Born in England, Saunders came to Canada in 1848 and became a manufacturing chemist. A recognized expert in scientific agriculture, he was appointed Director of the new Experimental Farms Branch...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Waterloo Pioneers

In the spring of 1800, Joseph Schoerg and Samuel Betzner, Jr., brothers-in-law, Mennonites, from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, began the first two farms in the County of Waterloo; Schoerg on land...

In the spring of 1800, Joseph Schoerg and Samuel Betzner, Jr., brothers-in-law, Mennonites, from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, began the first two farms in the County of Waterloo; Schoerg on...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Canniff 1830-1910

Born at Thurlow, Upper Canada, and educated in medicine, Canniff served as Medical Officer with the Royal Artillery during the Crimean War. Returning to practice in Belleville and Toronto, he...

Born at Thurlow, Upper Canada, and educated in medicine, Canniff served as Medical Officer with the Royal Artillery during the Crimean War. Returning to practice in Belleville and Toronto, he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Kirby 1817-1906

Born in England, Kirby came to Canada in 1839 and began work as a tanner in the vicinity of Niagara-on-the-Lake. There he developed his literary talents and soon after moving into the town in 1848...

Born in England, Kirby came to Canada in 1839 and began work as a tanner in the vicinity of Niagara- on-the-Lake. There he developed his literary talents and soon after moving into the town...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown