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The most recent plaques:

The Old Welland Canal

Originally conceived in 1818 by its promoter, William Hamilton Merritt, to divert trade from the Erie Canal and New York and built under private auspices, the canal was opened to traffic in 1829....

Originally conceived in 1818 by its promoter, William Hamilton Merritt, to divert trade from the Erie Canal and New York and built under private auspices, the canal was opened to traffic in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Ontario Northland Railway

In 1900 the Ontario Government ordered a survey for a railway from North Bay to the head of Lake Timiskaming to encourage settlement and provide access to mineral deposits. Construction of the...

In 1900 the Ontario Government ordered a survey for a railway from North Bay to the head of Lake Timiskaming to encourage settlement and provide access to mineral deposits. Construction of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Opeongo Road

This was one of the "colonization roads" authorized by the Province of Canada in an attempt to open up the districts lying inland from the settled townships. Surveyed in 1852 by Robert Bell,...

This was one of the "colonization roads" authorized by the Province of Canada in an attempt to open up the districts lying inland from the settled townships. Surveyed in 1852 by Robert Bell,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Old Trinity 1842-1881

The first Anglican church in Lambton was built on this site 1841-42 and, for many years, its bright tin steeple served as a guide to mariners on the St. Clair River. The land was donated by Thomas...

The first Anglican church in Lambton was built on this site 1841-42 and, for many years, its bright tin steeple served as a guide to mariners on the St. Clair River. The land was donated by...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Old Stone Church

This building, constructed between 1840 and 1853 by the congregation of St. Andrew's, is remarkable for its beauty and excellent state of preservation. The aesthetic appeal of this modest...

This building, constructed between 1840 and 1853 by the congregation of St. Andrew's, is remarkable for its beauty and excellent state of preservation. The aesthetic appeal of this...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ottawa Teachers' College

The Ottawa Teachers' College, or Normal School, designed by the architect W. R. Strickland and built in 1875 by J. Forin, was the second institution of its type to be established in Ontario. The...

The Ottawa Teachers' College, or Normal School, designed by the architect W. R. Strickland and built in 1875 by J. Forin, was the second institution of its type to be established in Ontario. The...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Oronhyatekha (Peter Martin) (1841-1907)

A distinguished philanthropist, Oronhyatekha transformed the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) into a successful fraternal organization which saw to the well-being of its members and came to...

A distinguished philanthropist, Oronhyatekha transformed the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) into a successful fraternal organization which saw to the well-being of its members and came to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The "Outlaw" Bridge

The first bridge across the Pigeon River was opened near here August 18, 1917. In the previous year the government of Ontario had completed a road from Port Arthur to link up with one which the...

The first bridge across the Pigeon River was opened near here August 18, 1917. In the previous year the government of Ontario had completed a road from Port Arthur to link up with one which the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Oscar Douglas Skelton 1878-1941

Born in Orangeville, Ontario, Skelton attended Queen's University and was a professor there from 1907 until 1924, publishing in that time many books and articles on Canadian history, economics and...

Born in Orangeville, Ontario, Skelton attended Queen's University and was a professor there from 1907 until 1924, publishing in that time many books and articles on Canadian history, economics and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ontario Veterinary College 1862

This college, known until 1869 as the Upper Canada Veterinary School, was the first in Canada to offer courses in veterinary medicine. It was established in Toronto in 1862 by the Board of...

This college, known until 1869 as the Upper Canada Veterinary School, was the first in Canada to offer courses in veterinary medicine. It was established in Toronto in 1862 by the Board...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Otto Julius Klotz 1852-1923

Born at Preston, Upper Canada, and educated at Toronto and Michigan Universities, Klotz joined the public service in 1879. For thirty years he was engaged in topographical surveys in British...

Born at Preston, Upper Canada, and educated at Toronto and Michigan Universities, Klotz joined the public service in 1879. For thirty years he was engaged in topographical surveys in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ontario Agricultural College

This portico was the entrance of the Frederick W. Stone farm house, the building in which the first classes of the Ontario School of Agriculture were held on May 1, 1874. Renamed the Ontario...

This portico was the entrance of the Frederick W. Stone farm house, the building in which the first classes of the Ontario School of Agriculture were held on May 1, 1874. Renamed the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

"The Old Stage Road"

This road, which follows in part the Indian trail, known as the "Detroit Path", across East Oxford Township, was opened by settlers at the expense of Major Thomas Ingersoll in 1796-97. It joined a...

This road, which follows in part the Indian trail, known as the "Detroit Path", across East Oxford Township, was opened by settlers at the expense of Major Thomas Ingersoll in 1796-97. It joined...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ogle Robert Gowan 1803-1876

A prominent provincial politician, Gowan was born in County Wexford, Ireland. He came to Upper Canada in 1829 and immediately immersed himself in political affairs. Drawing upon his experience...

A prominent provincial politician, Gowan was born in County Wexford, Ireland. He came to Upper Canada in 1829 and immediately immersed himself in political affairs. Drawing upon his...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Old St. Andrew's Church

This church, built from local stone, was begun in 1830 on land acquired by the Presbyterian congregation from Joseph A. Keeler, a prominent local merchant. It was designed by Archibald Fraser, a...

This church, built from local stone, was begun in 1830 on land acquired by the Presbyterian congregation from Joseph A. Keeler, a prominent local merchant. It was designed by Archibald Fraser, a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Ontario Vaccine Farm

Established in 1885 by Dr. Alexander Stewart, a local physician, the Ontario Vaccine Farm was the first institution to produce smallpox vaccine in Ontario. The Farm originally consisted of a...

Established in 1885 by Dr. Alexander Stewart, a local physician, the Ontario Vaccine Farm was the first institution to produce smallpox vaccine in Ontario. The Farm originally consisted of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Oxford-on-Rideau Township Hall

This modestly scaled but stately town hall reminds us of the early days of local government in Canada. During the 19th century, the majority of Canadians lived in rural areas, and municipal...

This modestly scaled but stately town hall reminds us of the early days of local government in Canada. During the 19th century, the majority of Canadians lived in rural areas, and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Ontario Paper Company Ltd.

In 1912, the Ontario Paper Company was incorporated as a subsidiary of the Chicago Tribune newspaper under the direction of publisher Robert McCormick. A paper mill was constructed south of here...

In 1912, the Ontario Paper Company was incorporated as a subsidiary of the Chicago Tribune newspaper under the direction of publisher Robert McCormick. A paper mill was constructed south of here...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Ontario Yellowbirds

In 1924, the government of Ontario set up a provincial air service to replace forest fire detection by canoe and foot patrols. Based at Sault Ste. Marie, the service's aircraft became know as the...

In 1924, the government of Ontario set up a provincial air service to replace forest fire detection by canoe and foot patrols. Based at Sault Ste. Marie, the service's aircraft became know as the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ontario's Oil Refining Industry

Stimulated by the discovery of significant oil deposits in Enniskillen Township, Ontario's first commercial refineries were erected in 1857-62 at Sarnia, Oil Springs, "Petrolea" and Hamilton. The...

Stimulated by the discovery of significant oil deposits in Enniskillen Township, Ontario's first commercial refineries were erected in 1857-62 at Sarnia, Oil Springs, "Petrolea" and Hamilton....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown