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The most recent plaques:

Sir Adam Beck's Birthplace

Founder of Ontario's public hydro-electric system, Adam Beck (1857-1925) was born in Baden. He lived in this community until 1885 when he moved to London, Ontario. Beck was elected mayor of that...

Founder of Ontario's public hydro-electric system, Adam Beck (1857-1925) was born in Baden. He lived in this community until 1885 when he moved to London, Ontario. Beck was elected mayor of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir John Johnson's Mills

Son of the celebrated Indian superintendent, Sir William Johnson, Sir John was born in 1742 in New York's Mohawk Valley. During the American Revolution his Loyalist sympathies brought him to...

Son of the celebrated Indian superintendent, Sir William Johnson, Sir John was born in 1742 in New York's Mohawk Valley. During the American Revolution his Loyalist sympathies brought him...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sault Ste. Marie Ship Canal

Completed in 1895, this canal formed the last link in an all-Canadian navigation system stretching from the St. Lawrence River to Lake Superior. Designed and built by Canadians, the canal...

Completed in 1895, this canal formed the last link in an all-Canadian navigation system stretching from the St. Lawrence River to Lake Superior. Designed and built by Canadians, the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Stephen Leacock 1869-1944

Economist-Historian-Humorist. Stephen Leacock, born in England and brought up near Lake Simcoe, was educated at Upper Canada College and the Universities of Toronto and Chicago. He taught at Upper...

Economist-Historian-Humorist. Stephen Leacock, born in England and brought up near Lake Simcoe, was educated at Upper Canada College and the Universities of Toronto and Chicago. He taught at Upper...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir William Mackenzie (1849-1923)

An outstanding entrepreneur, Sir William Mackenzie with his partner Sir Donald Mann built the Canadian Northern Railway, opening large areas of the west to settlement. Born in present day...

An outstanding entrepreneur, Sir William Mackenzie with his partner Sir Donald Mann built the Canadian Northern Railway, opening large areas of the west to settlement. Born in present...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Mackenzie Bowell, K.C.M.G. 1823-1917

The fifth Prime Minister of Canada, Bowell was born in Suffolk, England and came to Belleville with his parents in 1833. Apprenticed as a printer at the Intelligencer, he advanced quickly,...

The fifth Prime Minister of Canada, Bowell was born in Suffolk, England and came to Belleville with his parents in 1833. Apprenticed as a printer at the Intelligencer, he advanced...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Survey of the Great Lakes

In 1814-1816 the first Admiralty Survey of Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay was undertaken by Admiral William Fitzwilliam Owen, after whom Owen Sound is named. His successor, Admiral Henry Wolsey...

In 1814-1816 the first Admiralty Survey of Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay was undertaken by Admiral William Fitzwilliam Owen, after whom Owen Sound is named. His successor, Admiral Henry...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sergeant John Pearson, V.C. 1825-1892

Born in Yorkshire, England, Pearson joined the 8th (The King's Royal Irish) Regiment of Light Dragoons in 1844, and served with this unit in India during the Mutiny. On June 17, 1858, near the...

Born in Yorkshire, England, Pearson joined the 8th (The King's Royal Irish) Regiment of Light Dragoons in 1844, and served with this unit in India during the Mutiny. On June 17, 1858, near the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Steep Rock Iron Range

As early as 1897 the presence of hematite boulders on the shores of Steep Rock Lake led geologists to suggest that beneath its waters lay a substantial iron ore body. It was not, however, until...

As early as 1897 the presence of hematite boulders on the shores of Steep Rock Lake led geologists to suggest that beneath its waters lay a substantial iron ore body. It was not, however, until...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Richard Cartwright 1835-1912

Grandson of a prominent Loyalist merchant, Richard John Cartwright was born in Kingston, Upper Canada, and became a successful businessman. A Conservative in the Legislative Assembly of Canada...

Grandson of a prominent Loyalist merchant, Richard John Cartwright was born in Kingston, Upper Canada, and became a successful businessman. A Conservative in the Legislative Assembly of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Steamboating in Muskoka 1866-1959

Steam navigation on the Muskoka Lakes began in 1866, when the paddle vessel "Wenonah" went into service. Built at Gravenhurst, she was owned by A.P. Cockburn (1837-1905), who served as the federal...

Steam navigation on the Muskoka Lakes began in 1866, when the paddle vessel "Wenonah" went into service. Built at Gravenhurst, she was owned by A.P. Cockburn (1837-1905), who served as the federal...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Thomas' Church 1838

This church is one of the few surviving structures in Ontario built of "rammed earth". This method of construction utilized wet clay mixed with chopped straw, compacted into forms and covered,...

This church is one of the few surviving structures in Ontario built of "rammed earth". This method of construction utilized wet clay mixed with chopped straw, compacted into forms and covered,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Superior's First Shipyard

The first decked vessel to sail Lake Superior was constructed near this site on Pointe aux Pins in 1734-35. It was used by Louis Denis, Sieur de la Ronde, during an unsuccessful attempt to...

The first decked vessel to sail Lake Superior was constructed near this site on Pointe aux Pins in 1734-35. It was used by Louis Denis, Sieur de la Ronde, during an unsuccessful attempt to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir William Osler 1849-1919

This famous physician and author, son of the Reverend Featherstone Osler, was born July 12, 1849, in the Anglican rectory near Bond Head. Here he lived until 1857. He taught medicine at some of...

This famous physician and author, son of the Reverend Featherstone Osler, was born July 12, 1849, in the Anglican rectory near Bond Head. Here he lived until 1857. He taught medicine at some...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Syl Apps (1915-1998)

Born in Paris, Ontario in 1915, Charles Joseph Sylvanus "Syl" Apps was a professional hockey player, businessman and politician. Throughout his life, Apps displayed remarkable breadth in his...

Born in Paris, Ontario in 1915, Charles Joseph Sylvanus "Syl" Apps was a professional hockey player, businessman and politician. Throughout his life, Apps displayed remarkable breadth in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Mark's Church 1843

This church, a fine example of the early style of Gothic Revival architecture, was built with the aid of funds subscribed by the British Admiralty and by settlers at Barriefield, many of whom had...

This church, a fine example of the early style of Gothic Revival architecture, was built with the aid of funds subscribed by the British Admiralty and by settlers at Barriefield, many of whom...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Mary's Pro- Cathedral

One of the few Roman Catholic churches in Ontario retaining its pre-Confederation character, St. Mary's was erected in 1859-60 during the episcopate of Bishop John Farrell to replace a building...

One of the few Roman Catholic churches in Ontario retaining its pre-Confederation character, St. Mary's was erected in 1859-60 during the episcopate of Bishop John Farrell to replace a building...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Edward Robert Peacock G.C.V.O. 1871-1962

An internationally renowned financier, Peacock was born near here in the former Congregational Church manse and educated at Queen's University in Kingston. He taught at Upper Canada College for...

An internationally renowned financier, Peacock was born near here in the former Congregational Church manse and educated at Queen's University in Kingston. He taught at Upper Canada College...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Sandford Fleming 1827-1915

Inventor of Standard Time and pioneer in world communications, Fleming was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and trained in engineering and surveying before emigrating to Canada and settling in...

Inventor of Standard Time and pioneer in world communications, Fleming was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and trained in engineering and surveying before emigrating to Canada and settling...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Southwold Earthworks

This prehistoric site was once a fortified village occupied by the Neutral Indians between about 1500 and 1650 A.D. An earth and palisade wall, later strengthened by a second wall, protected a...

This prehistoric site was once a fortified village occupied by the Neutral Indians between about 1500 and 1650 A.D. An earth and palisade wall, later strengthened by a second wall, protected a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown