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

The Wolfe Island Township Hall

This township hall, erected in 1859, survives as a symbol of the development of self-government in rural Ontario. Following the passage of the Municipal Act in 1849, many small communities erected...

This township hall, erected in 1859, survives as a symbol of the development of self-government in rural Ontario. Following the passage of the Municipal Act in 1849, many small communities erected...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Whitehern

This stately mansion is a finely crafted and well-preserved example of Hamilton's early stone architecture. Built no later than 1850 for city clerk and attorney Richard Duggan, it was purchased in...

This stately mansion is a finely crafted and well- preserved example of Hamilton's early stone architecture. Built no later than 1850 for city clerk and attorney Richard Duggan, it was purchased...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Frederick King 1854-1916

Born in England, W.F. King was a superb mathematician who promoted the systematic study of astronomy, geodesy and geophysics in this country. Through his initiative, the Dominion Observatory in...

Born in England, W.F. King was a superb mathematician who promoted the systematic study of astronomy, geodesy and geophysics in this country. Through his initiative, the Dominion Observatory in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Buell, Sr. 1751-1832

Renowned as the founder of Brockville, Buell was born in Hebron, Connecticut. Shortly after the outbreak of the American Revolution he moved to Quebec where he joined the British forces and...

Renowned as the founder of Brockville, Buell was born in Hebron, Connecticut. Shortly after the outbreak of the American Revolution he moved to Quebec where he joined the British forces...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Wolseley Barracks Infantry School Building

This building, typical of military architecture of its period, was built in 1886 to provide quarters for the recently authorized "D" Company, Infantry School Corps, an early step in the...

This building, typical of military architecture of its period, was built in 1886 to provide quarters for the recently authorized "D" Company, Infantry School Corps, an early step in the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Thomas 1799-1860

One of Canada's most prominent architects, Thomas was born in Suffolk and apprenticed as a carpenter before establishing an extensive architectural practice here in Royal Leamington Spa. During...

One of Canada's most prominent architects, Thomas was born in Suffolk and apprenticed as a carpenter before establishing an extensive architectural practice here in Royal Leamington Spa. During...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William King (1812-1895)

As an abolitionist who had owned slaves in the United States, Reverend William King made a unique contribution to the anti-slavery movement in British North America. His religious beliefs and...

As an abolitionist who had owned slaves in the United States, Reverend William King made a unique contribution to the anti-slavery movement in British North America. His religious beliefs...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Williamsburg Canals

The canals at Farran's Point, Rapide Plat and Galops were known collectively as the Williamsburg Canals. All three were built in the period 1844-56 on the north side of the St. Lawrence to form...

The canals at Farran's Point, Rapide Plat and Galops were known collectively as the Williamsburg Canals. All three were built in the period 1844-56 on the north side of the St. Lawrence to form...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Dummer Powell 1755-1834

The first professionally trained lawyer appointed a judge in what is now Ontario, Powell was born in Boston and educated abroad. He opened a legal practice in Montreal in 1779 and quickly gained a...

The first professionally trained lawyer appointed a judge in what is now Ontario, Powell was born in Boston and educated abroad. He opened a legal practice in Montreal in 1779 and quickly gained...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

War of 1812

Major General Isaac Brock with 40 men of His Majesty's 41st Regiment and 260 of the York, Lincoln, Oxford and Norfolk militia, set out from Port Dover on the 8th August, 1812, to relieve the...

Major General Isaac Brock with 40 men of His Majesty's 41st Regiment and 260 of the York, Lincoln, Oxford and Norfolk militia, set out from Port Dover on the 8th August, 1812, to relieve...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Charles Good 1876-1967

A leading spokesman for Canadian agrarian and co-operative movements, Good was born and raised on Myrtleville farm. He early developed a strong sense of social responsibility and, returning here...

A leading spokesman for Canadian agrarian and co- operative movements, Good was born and raised on Myrtleville farm. He early developed a strong sense of social responsibility and, returning...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

"When You and I Were Young, Maggie"

This is the childhood home of Maggie Clark, subject of the famous ballad "When You and I Were Young". Its author, George Washington Johnson (1839-1917), wrote the poem shortly before his marriage...

This is the childhood home of Maggie Clark, subject of the famous ballad "When You and I Were Young". Its author, George Washington Johnson (1839-1917), wrote the poem shortly before his marriage...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The West Montrose Covered Bridge

This structure, the only remaining covered bridge in Ontario, was designed by John Bear in 1880, on the authority of Woolwich Township Council, to replace an earlier bridge over the Grand River....

This structure, the only remaining covered bridge in Ontario, was designed by John Bear in 1880, on the authority of Woolwich Township Council, to replace an earlier bridge over the Grand...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Perkins Bull, K.C., LL.D. 1870-1948

Financier, philanthropist and historian William Perkins Bull was born in Downsview, Ontario, in 1870. Bull attended Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the bar in 1896. He established a law...

Financier, philanthropist and historian William Perkins Bull was born in Downsview, Ontario, in 1870. Bull attended Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the bar in 1896. He established a law...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Wallaceburg

The Chippewa surrendered their lands in this area by treaty in 1796. The first European presence in this area was Lord Selkirk's nearby Baldoon Settlement, founded in 1804. It failed because of...

The Chippewa surrendered their lands in this area by treaty in 1796. The first European presence in this area was Lord Selkirk's nearby Baldoon Settlement, founded in 1804. It failed because...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Blair Bruce 1859-1906

A distinguished Canadian artist, Bruce spent his childhood in a house which stood on this property. He was educated in Hamilton where he studied draughtsmanship and painting. In 1881 he entered...

A distinguished Canadian artist, Bruce spent his childhood in a house which stood on this property. He was educated in Hamilton where he studied draughtsmanship and painting. In 1881 he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Kirby's Home

In this house, built in 1818, William Kirby, F.R.S.C., historian, novelist, poet and editor of the Niagara Mail, lived from 1857 to 1906. His historical romance, The Golden Dog, stimulated...

In this house, built in 1818, William Kirby, F.R.S.C., historian, novelist, poet and editor of the Niagara Mail, lived from 1857 to 1906. His historical romance, The Golden Dog,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

William Sherring 1877-1964

One of Canada's greatest Marathon runners, "Billy" Sherring was born in Hamilton, and began his athletic career as a member of the YMCA Boys, Club. He entered many county fair races and in 1897...

One of Canada's greatest Marathon runners, "Billy" Sherring was born in Hamilton, and began his athletic career as a member of the YMCA Boys, Club. He entered many county fair races and in 1897...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Van Egmond House

This house was built about 1846 by Constant Van Egmond, eldest son of Col. Anthony Van Egmond, a leader of rebel military forces in the Rebellion of 1837. It has the sturdy proportions typical of...

This house was built about 1846 by Constant Van Egmond, eldest son of Col. Anthony Van Egmond, a leader of rebel military forces in the Rebellion of 1837. It has the sturdy proportions typical...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Victoria Hall

This building, designed by the architect Kivas Tully in a Victorian version of the Palladian style, is representative of the finer public buildings of mid-nineteenth century Canada. One of the...

This building, designed by the architect Kivas Tully in a Victorian version of the Palladian style, is representative of the finer public buildings of mid-nineteenth century Canada. One of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown