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

The Rush-Bagot Agreement

A naval arms limitation agreement negotiated to demilitarize the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain after the War of 1812, this convention was concluded between the United States and Great Britain,...

A naval arms limitation agreement negotiated to demilitarize the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain after the War of 1812, this convention was concluded between the United States and Great Britain,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reverend Thomas Greene at St. Luke's, Wellington Square

St. Luke's Church was built in 1834 on land originally patented by Chief Joseph Brant. Consecrated in 1838 by the Right Reverend C.J. Mountain, Anglican Bishop of Quebec, the church was a simple...

St. Luke's Church was built in 1834 on land originally patented by Chief Joseph Brant. Consecrated in 1838 by the Right Reverend C.J. Mountain, Anglican Bishop of Quebec, the church was a simple...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robert Samuel McLaughlin (1871-1972)

A famous industrialist and philanthropist, "Colonel Sam" McLaughlin was a founder of the automotive industry in Canada. Involved in the manufacture of carriages and sleighs for his family...

A famous industrialist and philanthropist, "Colonel Sam" McLaughlin was a founder of the automotive industry in Canada. Involved in the manufacture of carriages and sleighs for his family...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Richard Pierpoint c.1744-c.1838

One of the first Black settlers in this region, Pierpoint was born in Senegal. At the age of about 16 he was imprisoned and shipped to America where he became the slave of a British officer....

One of the first Black settlers in this region, Pierpoint was born in Senegal. At the age of about 16 he was imprisoned and shipped to America where he became the slave of a British officer....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

René-Amable Boucher 1735-1812

Boucher was born at Fort Frontenac (Kingston) where his father, an officer with the French colonial regular troops, was stationed. René-Amable also chose a military career and served in the Seven...

Boucher was born at Fort Frontenac (Kingston) where his father, an officer with the French colonial regular troops, was stationed. René- Amable also chose a military career and served in the Seven...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reid Mill

This flour mill was built on the Credit River southeast of the village of Streetsville in the mid-1830s by John Beaty and by 1861 had an annual capacity of 12,000 barrels of flour. The mill...

This flour mill was built on the Credit River southeast of the village of Streetsville in the mid-1830s by John Beaty and by 1861 had an annual capacity of 12,000 barrels of flour. The...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reverend Anthony Burns 1834-1862

Born a slave in Virginia, Burns escaped from servitude in 1854 and fled to Boston, where he was arrested under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Abolitionists came to his defence and serious riots...

Born a slave in Virginia, Burns escaped from servitude in 1854 and fled to Boston, where he was arrested under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Abolitionists came to his defence and serious riots...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reverend Peter Jones (1802-1856)

A Mississauga Chief and Methodist minister, the Reverend Peter Jones helped his people survive the impact of European settlement which had brought them close to extinction. As his Band's fishing...

A Mississauga Chief and Methodist minister, the Reverend Peter Jones helped his people survive the impact of European settlement which had brought them close to extinction. As his Band's...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robert Tait McKenzie (1867-1938)

Surgeon, educator and sculptor, McKenzie was born in Lanark County, Ontario. After graduating in medicine at McGill University, he became its Medical Director of Physical Training in 1894. A...

Surgeon, educator and sculptor, McKenzie was born in Lanark County, Ontario. After graduating in medicine at McGill University, he became its Medical Director of Physical Training in 1894....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Red Brick School

Opened in 1887, this charming two-room brick school, built by local contractor Fred Taber, replaced a smaller wood-frame building. School Section No. 5 in South Crosby is a very early example of...

Opened in 1887, this charming two-room brick school, built by local contractor Fred Taber, replaced a smaller wood-frame building. School Section No. 5 in South Crosby is a very early example of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Regiopolis College

Regiopolis College, incorporated March 4, 1837, by an Act of the legislature of Upper Canada, opened in the central portion of this building. Its corner-stone was laid by the school's founder,...

Regiopolis College, incorporated March 4, 1837, by an Act of the legislature of Upper Canada, opened in the central portion of this building. Its corner-stone was laid by the school's...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robert McLaughlin 1836-1921

Robert McLaughlin, a pioneer of the Canadian vehicle industry, was born in the family homestead on this property. In 1867, despite lack of technical training, he built two cutters in his...

Robert McLaughlin, a pioneer of the Canadian vehicle industry, was born in the family homestead on this property. In 1867, despite lack of technical training, he built two cutters in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Right Reverend John Strachan 1778-1867

Born in Scotland, Strachan came to Kingston in 1799. Ordained in 1803, he became rector of Cornwall and taught at its grammar school until named rector of York in 1812. In 1839 he was made first...

Born in Scotland, Strachan came to Kingston in 1799. Ordained in 1803, he became rector of Cornwall and taught at its grammar school until named rector of York in 1812. In 1839 he was made first...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal Canadian Mint

Constructed in 1905-1908 to house a branch of the British Royal Mint, this building was one of several designed in the late gothic style by the Department of Public Works in the first part of this...

Constructed in 1905-1908 to house a branch of the British Royal Mint, this building was one of several designed in the late gothic style by the Department of Public Works in the first part of this...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Reverend Charles W. Gordon 1860-1937

Born at Indian Lands (St. Elmo), Gordon was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1890. He served as a missionary in the North West Territories until 1893 and the following year was called to St....

Born at Indian Lands (St. Elmo), Gordon was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1890. He served as a missionary in the North West Territories until 1893 and the following year was called to St....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

R. Thomas Orr 1870-1957

A life-long member of the Stratford Parks Board, R. Thomas Orr was the driving force behind the Stratford parks system. Orr led the fight to save the riverfront and millpond from railway...

A life-long member of the Stratford Parks Board, R. Thomas Orr was the driving force behind the Stratford parks system. Orr led the fight to save the riverfront and millpond from...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rosseau- Nipissing Road

Designed to encourage settlement in what is now the Parry Sound District, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was authorized by the government in 1864. A survey was completed the following year by J.S....

Designed to encourage settlement in what is now the Parry Sound District, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was authorized by the government in 1864. A survey was completed the following year by...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Richmond Military Settlement 1818

In August, 1818, some thirty disbanded veterans of the 99th Regiment, led by Captain G.T. Burke, arrived in newly surveyed Goulbourn Township. These formed the advanced party of a military...

In August, 1818, some thirty disbanded veterans of the 99th Regiment, led by Captain G.T. Burke, arrived in newly surveyed Goulbourn Township. These formed the advanced party of a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal Sappers and Miners

In 1827 the Royal Sappers and Miners, the special construction corps of the British Army, raised the 7th and 15th Companies to serve in the building of the Rideau Canal. Comprising 160 skilled...

In 1827 the Royal Sappers and Miners, the special construction corps of the British Army, raised the 7th and 15th Companies to serve in the building of the Rideau Canal. Comprising 160 skilled...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rosamond Woolen Company

Between 1840 and 1870 woolen manufacturing emerged as a major Canadian industry. Mills were built in areas such as the Mississippi Valley, where waterpower, labour and wool supplies were abundant....

Between 1840 and 1870 woolen manufacturing emerged as a major Canadian industry. Mills were built in areas such as the Mississippi Valley, where waterpower, labour and wool supplies were abundant....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown