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

The Scugog Route

This river and lake formed part of an Indian route from the Kawartha and Algonquin Park areas to Lake Ontario. During the French Regime efforts were made to prevent English traders from the Oswego...

This river and lake formed part of an Indian route from the Kawartha and Algonquin Park areas to Lake Ontario. During the French Regime efforts were made to prevent English traders from the...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe 1763-1851

On October 13, 1812, following Isaac Brock's death in a preceding assault, Major-General Sheaffe assumed command and led a successful attack which dislodged an invading American force from...

On October 13, 1812, following Isaac Brock's death in a preceding assault, Major-General Sheaffe assumed command and led a successful attack which dislodged an invading American force...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Scotch Settlement 1819

In 1815 some 140 Highland Scots from Lord Selkirk's Red River Settlement, disheartened by crop failures and the opposition of the North West Company, moved to Upper Canada. Transported in the...

In 1815 some 140 Highland Scots from Lord Selkirk's Red River Settlement, disheartened by crop failures and the opposition of the North West Company, moved to Upper Canada. Transported in...

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The Sinking of the "Waubuno" 1879

This anchor, recovered in 1959, belonged to the steamer "Waubuno", a wooden sidewheeler of some 180 tonnes which was built at Port Robinson in 1865. She carried freight and passengers in the...

This anchor, recovered in 1959, belonged to the steamer "Waubuno", a wooden sidewheeler of some 180 tonnes which was built at Port Robinson in 1865. She carried freight and passengers in...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church

Salem Chapel, built in 1855, was an important centre of 19th-century abolitionist and civil rights activity in Canada. Harriet Tubman, the famous Underground Railroad "conductor", lived near here...

Salem Chapel, built in 1855, was an important centre of 19th-century abolitionist and civil rights activity in Canada. Harriet Tubman, the famous Underground Railroad "conductor", lived near here...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

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...

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  • 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...

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  • 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...

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  • 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...

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  • ontario
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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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  • 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...

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  • ontario
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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,...

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  • ontario
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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...

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  • 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...

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  • 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...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown